Page 39 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“Dad, ew,” Kira said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Can we go now? I need to finish this paper.”

“You’ll have time after dinner,” Rochelle said, patting her shoulder.

Mario slipped by us with a soft goodbye as we stepped into the hallway, and I slung my arm around my daughter, asking, “So, how’s that paper going, anyway?”

She slumped against me as we walked, and with Rochelle flanking her other side, we looked like a small, but content, family.

Since that meeting with Lilly, Kira was given a different book, and the relief that bloomed on her face wrung something out of me that day. Since then, things have been better.

It took a couple of weeks, but she caught up to the tasks that were set and was back on track with her program. Lilly and Mia helped her believe that what they knew about her mother wouldn’t change her grades, and convinced her to see the counselor. It made a world of difference.

What was more important, though, was that she started accepting my help. We worked together. I read the book during the hours she slept, and we went over chapters as we ate our breakfast.

She told me stories about her castmates from the play and her classmates from the program. She was making friends again. Even the two snooty girls, Amber and Natasha, included her in class now.

And the effect it had on me was like the loosening of a chain. I felt in control again, like maybe I wasn’t letting her down anymore.

“It’s okay. I think I understood Miss Walker’s question? But I’m not sure about the theme. It’s about how love changes people.”

Rochelle nodded next to her. “You’re too young to know that love makes you do stupid things. How’re you supposed to write about it?”

She studied her aunt. “What stupid things have you done?”

“Oh, you know. The usual. Changed everything about myself for someone else.”

I smothered the instant urge to hurt her ex-husband. It was useless anyway. Roger left Rochelle a while ago, and there wasn’t anything I could do about him anymore. My sister was moving on, and that was what I had to focus on.

“You did that?” Kira asked, dubious.

“Oh yeah. Well, it wasn’t just for him. I had to fit the mold. People think a critic should say things like ‘marvelous’ and ‘movement’ while they talk about art.”

I could almost feel Kira’s confusion as she twisted to look up at me.

“Don’t worry, kid. Your aunt knows it was a bad move. Changing who you are for someone else is romcom bullshit.”

She frowned. “Right. You’d never do that.”

Rochelle scoffed. “Your dad’s too stubborn to change for anyone. Even Tash didn’t stand a chance.”

I opened my mouth but couldn’t think of a thing to say. Tash didn’t want me to change, did she?

My sister eyed us both as a stab of grief shifted our expressions. She pursed her lips, realizing what she’d said, then tried to get us back onto easier footing.

Teasing, she said, “But if he found someone he actually liked, maybe he’d be less of a grump?”

Kira gave her a tight smile and said, “Looks like he’s stuck this way forever then.”

Rochelle laughed.

Conversation turned to easier things as we strode out onto the street and rode the subway, and I was relieved. Their questions about changing for love threw me.

I’d never been in love before, not even with the mother of my child. At best, I had a few urge-fulfilling flings that didn’t last longer than a couple of weeks. I’d never been around someone who I wanted to spend every spare moment with. I’d never spent hours of my day thinking of a single person.

“Mm-mm. No. You do not get to talk to me after that.”

I could see her as if it had just happened. Her silky hair ruffled and wild, cheeks flushed pink, dark eyes blown wide.

When was I going to stop thinking about her?