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"Hey, girls!" Patrick greeted them with open arms, followed by a beaming Susie.
"Something smells good," Susie said, embracing the girls.
"It's the food," Rhea replied matter-of-factly.
Dad came over and hugged me. I hadn't realized how much I needed it.
"Cole, you mind if I supervise some sparring for the girls?" Susie asked. "Ever since Rhea got her gray and white belt, she’s been itching to fight.”
"Sure," I said. "I'll keep the dinner warm."
With the girls occupied, Dad pulled up a stool next to me. "God, it feels good to be back at work."
"You need to take it easy, Dad."
"I will, I will. But if I stop completely, then it’s like my whole reason for being has been extinguished, you know? When that doctor told me to have time off, it near as heck killed me.” He put his hand to his back and rubbed it absentmindedly. “Still, there's gonna be a time when I probably have to take a step back."
"No way," I said. "You'll be hammering tiles onto rooves when you're a centenarian."
Dad laughed. "Hey, it's a sweet job in Goldharbor Bay, eh? I can charge those swanky bastards nearly twice as much for our time."
"Yep, it's a good job. Good progress so far. Walls all stripped, and we'll be putting up the timber frame for the extension next week."
"I know, Cole. I've been there with you."
"Right. Sorry, Dad, I'm a bit distracted."
"Focusing on that chili, huh?"
I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to burden my father with my issues. But the weight of it all was becoming too much to bear alone. "Dad, I need some advice."
"Hang on, wait a second. I must have misheard . . ."
"Funny, Dad. Real funny."
"My son’s asking me for advice?"
"Something's happening between me and Elara."
That shut him up.
"Elara? That's great news! She's a wonderful girl."
"Actually, it's kind of shitty news. She's leaving, she's much too good for me, and she thinks I'm an asshole."
"Too good for you? What does that mean?"
"It means she wants a fancy, exciting life, and I can't give it to her. All I can give her is Bluehaven Beach. And clearly, that’s not enough."
Dad was quiet for a moment, taking in my words. "You know, Cole, sometimes what seems like an exciting life isn't always what it's cracked up to be. And sometimes, all a person really needs is a place to call home and someone who loves them."
"Love isn't enough." I shook my head. "I give Rhea and Lexi all the love I have, but they still want more than Bluehaven Beach has to offer. They want adventure. They want the world. I can't give them that. Hell, I can barely give them a weatherproof house."
"So, you've already admitted defeat with Elara."
"I don’t think I have any choice. Elara is leaving"
"And I presume she knows exactly how you feel? You've spoken to her about all this?"
