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“Thanks,” he said, always the amiable one, leaving the yard now that they were done. There was no reason to linger, her presence unsettling, as if he’d be tainted by her. His faith in God would make it possible for him to leave and hope his children would be safe.

“Alphé…”

He looked at her, waiting.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s too late for that,” he said, frowning.

Back inside, he didn’t even bother getting a suitcase out of the attic, stuffing his belongings into two black trash bags. When he’d moved out of their shared bedroom, all of his clothes and personal effects went into a hall closet, stacked on shelves he’d installed.

“You’ll have all this extra space,” he said, aware that she was lurking.

It was an embarrassment in some ways that his presence took up so little space in the house. Where were all his books and mementos from growing up? He’d already taken a lot of the stuff and stashed it in the boat.

Standing in front of the empty closet, the thought was more than embarrassing. It was sad. Was his presence also diminished in the eyes of his children? He knew they loved him. But what would the impact be of him leaving? It was time to tell them.

“Angie, Noel, Prissy, Rumor, I need to talk to you.”

“Go for it, Dad,” Angela said.

“I’m going to move into the boat for a while.”

He didn’t really want Lola to know that, but his children deserved to know where he’d be.

“Like to live?” Noel asked.

Concern was clear on their sweet faces.

“Yep, to live. The cabin is the perfect place for me. There will be room for you to visit, too. The bunkhouse has two sets of bunks. Girls on one side, boys on the other.”

“I’m happy for you, Daddy,” they chorused, threading their arms around their father.

“I don’t want you to move away,” Pris said, trying not to cry.

Rumor crawled up on Alphé again, demanding to be held. Alphé thought he heard a sniff, and soon, Noel’s body was shaking. No one moved, giving him time. Mortified, Lola stayed clear, separated from the family. This was her fault. She’d try to make it about Alphé, but it wasn’t. Their marriage vows didn’t say anything about having fun, or getting laid, or mental stimulation.

In a minute, Noel pulled himself together. “You go to your party,” Angela said. “We’ll be okay here at home, won’t we, guys.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Sorry, Dad.”

“It’s okay. Change is hard. I read that stress is caused by change.”

“This is change,” Pris said. “But I’m glad for you, Daddy.”

“Me too,” Noel said. “And I’m excited to stay on the boat. When do you think it will be done?”

“Soon,” Alphé said. “Maybe tomorrow.” Now he had a goal to reach. “Do you want to help me?”

They chorused, “Yes!”

“We only have six weeks till Fat Tuesday,” Noel said.

“You’d better hurry,” Lola said, determined not to be left out. “Any household stuff you want, just take it.”

“I think we should get new stuff,” Angela said.

“Me too,” Noel said. “I can’t wait to fix up the bunks.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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