The Glass Castle Chapter 2

I sat there, stunned, rooted to the spot.

My mind raced back to this morning when we woke up. The kiss Caleb had pressed to my forehead before he got out of bed.

At the time, I had blushed and pushed him away.

"I didn't like what you did last night... Don't do it again."

Caleb had stroked my hair, smiling.

"Okay. Never again."

"You said that last time!"

Caleb wasn't angry. He just chuckled.

"Well, what can I do? Maybe I should just redo it the way my Maya likes it, one more time?"

My face was so hot I felt like my neck was turning red.

"Shut up! Don't you have to go into work early? Go!"

Caleb dramatically checked his watch.

"Yeah, I really gotta go, or I’ll lose my attendance bonus this month.

"I have to keep saving up to get my Maya a real house. One with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows."

For the hundredth time, I had told him that I loved our current house. Even though it was old and a total fixer-upper, it felt like home.

"Honestly, you didn't have to put only my name on the deed. It was your money.

"If your parents ever find out, they’re going to be so upset with you."

Caleb, fully dressed now, gave me a perfect "goodbye kiss."

"Why shouldn't I?

"If, God forbid, I’m ever not around, at least I know you’ll always have a sanctuary."

I chided him for talking about such bad luck.

But I never imagined he was telling the truth.

The prince was eventually going back to his castle to marry the princess.

And Cinderella was still here, working a stupid side gig, trying to save enough money to buy furniture for a home that was nothing but a lie.