"Well, it was too cold to go to the playground, so we went to the Museum of Natural History where CJ learned a new word—"
"T-Rex," I supplied. Lisa had sent me about three different videos today of CJ, pointing at various representations of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and shouting "T-Wex!"
“Yup,” she laughed. She sighed and paused. “I got an interesting call today.”
“Oh yeah?” I rolled on to my back with my head still in her lap so I could see her face.
“It’s not a big deal, but…” She began stroking my hair again. “Do you remember me telling you about an audition I had a few months ago?”
“The one where you sang the song fromRent, that you still haven't performed for me?" I grinned up at her, and she laughed.
"Yes, that one," she answered in a chuckle. "Well, one of the producers I auditioned for called me today and offered me a part in a three-month tour of a new show. It's mostly singing, a little moving and a few lines. She said I'd be perfect for it."
"What?" I felt my heart clench. Three months? I'd finally gotten my life just the way I wanted it. I had CJ, my job, and finally, Lisa, and now I was facing three months of upheaval again.
“Don’t worry, I’m gonna turn it down,” she said in a sigh.
“What?” I repeated. The split second of relief I felt made me feel like a dick, but I couldn’t believe she would turn down an opportunity like this. If CJ and I were the reason, I’d feel like a bigger dick.
"Things have just settled down, and the hearing is in a month." She shrugged. "How could I go? What would you do?"
"Lisa." I sat up, and I couldn't believe the words that were about to leave my lips. "You have to go."
“Cole. It’s fine.”
"No, it isn't. You came to New York to be a singer. Not to be CJ's nanny. You auditioned for that part because you wanted it, and now that you have it, I'm not gonna let you give that up for us."
“What if I gave it up for me?”
“Well, then that’s different. But is there any part of you, the smallest part, that wants to say yes?”
She hesitated, opened her mouth, then closed it.
“Then you have to go. CJ and I will be here when you get back.”
“It’s not just that. I don’t know if I can do this. I haven’t sung on a stage in a show in years.”
"Well, the people who offered you a job think you can do it, and you have a degree collecting dust. Plus, I know you can do it, and I'm a smart person. I went to Harvard, you know."
“Did you? You never mention it.” She looked at me with mock confusion. I tickled her.
“When would you leave…if you decided to do this?”
“Monday,” she whispered.
I sat up. “Monday?!”
“One of the principals and her understudy dropped out at the last minute, but this is another reason why I don’t want to leave. It’s too short notice for you. What would you do?”
“I would figure it out.”
"No, Cole. I can't do this to you, and I told you, it's not a big deal."
"Lisa." I sat up and cupped her face in my hands. "If it wasn't a big deal, why did you tell me in the first place? You want this, and I want this for you. I don't ever want you to wonder if CJ and I are what you want. I want you to be sure."
"I'm sure. I love you, and I love CJ."
“We love you, too. We love everything about you, including the things that make you happy that have nothing to do with us.”
