I nodded. Very vigorously. “You’re starting to sound like Bailey.”
“The kid who thinks he’s our son.”
“Yup. Still does.” I had to laugh, and he did too. “I spent the afternoon with him. Took him shopping, and we went for dinner. He can handle his spices. We had extra spicy chilli lamb chops, and he cleaned his plate.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I can see it, what he’s saying. And I know it’s a pretend fairytale, Fox, and a child’s imagination wreaking havoc here, but…you know. Maybe we should. I mean? What are our options here?”
“With regard to Bailey?” I sat myself up straighter in bed.
“No… Yes…but with regard to your life. You stay up there, single, live alone, and you see me once a month? How long will we be able to keep that up?”
“Not sure.” I was just being honest.
“That’s what I’m saying. I’m down here, I’ve never had a relationship, never found love, never done anything remotely whacky, and…now I want to. I want to do…”
“Midlife crisis. You’re having one, and you’re embracing it.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Language, Noah.”
“I know,” he whined. “But I want it. I want to resign from the practice; it’s just a job. I can sit and listen to people’s woes and dodgy toenails and shitty hips anywhere.”
“Don’t put yourself down. You’re a qualified doctor with years of experience.”
“Yeah, but I’m also shit scared, Fox.”
“So am I,” I admitted.
“Do you want to? Do you see a future with me? I know all of this is new and exciting, but…”
“I can,” I admitted. “And I know what you’re saying, and my track record isn’t great. I rush into relationships, and then it all goes bad, but…”
“We wouldn’t go bad. Bailey wouldn’t let us.”
“And we’ll get married, and then apparently things don’t go south. Or whatever Bailey said.”
“He’s nuts.”
“I don’t blame him.”
“Did you speak to social services?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “And it’s, Noah, he’s pretty honest with what he’s saying. He’s had a rough time, but he’s been messed around by adults his whole life. And for the first time ever, he’s trying to choose something for himself. Something he thinks will be good. He didn’t want to come here; they made him because it was either that or a group home where he’dalready spent far too long. They drove him here and dumped him, and now he’s had enough.”
“I see that.”
“So…” I had to laugh. “Are you serious about this? Would you…actually?”
“Resign and rent out my house and move up there?”
“Yes? Something like that?”
“I…would take a career break. Six months. Rent the house out and move up with you. See if I can get a position somewhere, not too long a drive so I can be home every evening. Would the school even allow that, me living there?”
“If we’re married, yes.”
“We’ll get married then.”
