His Adam’s Apple bobbed.“You know ...You’re allowed to have a life, right?”
The words hit harder than I expected.
“I know,” I said, but my voice wavered.
“No, I mean it,” he continued.“Allie and I, we mean it.You’ve been in survival mode forever.For us.And that was great.Really.But we’re okay now.We’re not fragile little kids anymore.You’ve done well.And we’re going to pick up more of the slack ‘round here.Promise.”
I swallowed, suddenly seeing the man my boy had become.
“And if that perspective you found came with a guy,” he added casually with a solid shrug, “I wouldn’t be mad.Neither would Allie.”
I laughed, shaking my head.“You’re not supposed to make this easy.”
He grinned and gulped down half a can of Ginger Ale.“Sorry.Comes with the job.”
“Would you be okay...”I hesitated with the question I’d wanted to ask since I’d unpacked.“if there was...someone?”
Josh didn’t even pause.“Yeah,” he said, with a mouth full of food.“It’s about time.”
My eyes burned.
“It’s that guy you text with all the time.Tristan, right?”
“Yeah.”Hearing his name made the butterflies in my stomach flutter.
“Is it serious?”he asked.
I shrugged.“I don’t know yet, but it feels...real.”There were many late-night conversations, random memes andthinking about youmessages throughout the day.
“That’s kind of the point, isn’t it?”
When did my kid get to be so wise?
My phone buzzed on the counter.
Josh’s eyes flicked to it, before they flashed up to me.“That him?”
I smiled, and this time, I didn’t hide it.“Yes, it’s him.”
“Answer it,” he said, already standing.“I’ll give you privacy.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” he said.“Go be happy.I’ll grab dessert.Surely, Allie has left something to affect my waistline.”His chuckle was deep.
I took the call.
“Hi,” I said, unable to hide the warmth in my voice.
“Hey,” Tristan replied.“I was hoping it was a good time.”
“It is,” I said, and stopped myself from whispering.The kids knew, and the best part, they understood.“I miss you.”
There was a smile in his voice.“I miss you too.”
I stood and strolled through the kitchen, putting away the dirty dishes.
“Oh,” he added, “I wanted you to know that Mr.Moose has been promoted to a place of honour.”
