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“Aren’t you going to see her in school in like...five minutes?” Zoey drove down the driveway and headed toward town.
“Well yeah, but it’s not the same. We can’t really talk until lunchtime.”
“Which is three hours from now. You’ll both live. What’s she so wound up about, anyway?”
“Her mom isdating.” She emphasized the word with a horrified tone that made it sound like Monique Johnson was a serial killer. Zoey swallowed hard. She didn’t know Monique that well, but she knew Sienna’s parents had divorced just before Chris and Zoey broke up. It was one of the things that had helped the girls bond so closely when they’d met last year in middle school. She concentrated on keeping her voice light.
“And that’s a bad thing? Her mom dating?”
“Ugh. It’ssogross. She’s using a dating app, and she shows Sienna the guys she likes before she swipes them.” Hazel gave a fake shudder. “Cringe!As if Sienna wants to be involved in her hookups. Promise me you’ll never do that.”
Zoey’s mouth went dry. “Date?Not ever?”
Hazel hesitated. “Do youwantto date? I thought you said you were happy with just you and me?Thelma and Louise.”
Yes, and look what happened to them...
“Iamhappy with just you and me.”And Mike on a desk in the barn...She turned into the school lot. “But there’s nothing wrong with Monique wanting to find a man to have in her life. She might be over involving Sienna in that decision, but it could be her way of seeking Sienna’s approval of the men she likes.” She took a deep breath. “It’s not easy to be an adult and to feel alone in some ways. I mean...your dad is gettingmarried.”
Hazel stared at the dashboard, making no move to leave the car now that Zoey had pulled to the curb. Her eyebrows lowered.
“Would it be awful if I said that was different?”
“Um...yeah, it would.” She would keep her promise not to bastardize Chris to their daughter, but she wasn’t about to allow some sort of double standard.
“But Dad was seeing Genna right from the start, as soon as you guys broke up. He’s not out there.” Hazel looked over at Zoey. “He’s not playing the field.”
No, he’d done that during their marriage. That’s how he’d met Genna. Hazel had either conveniently ignored the possibility that her father and Genna had been together before the divorce, or genuinely hadn’t figured it out yet. But Zoey got Hazel’s point. Sort of.
“So it’s not a dads-can-date, moms-can’t thing. You’re saying the issue is that Sienna’s mom is dating multiple men instead of having one steady relationship?”
“I... I guess. It’s just weird.” She paused. “Mom, you said it’s hard to be an adult and feel alone. Areyoulonely, even with me at the house?”
They’d always been honest with each other. But the whisper of disappointment and worry in Hazel’s voice was enough for her to push past the honest answer—yes—and reassure the thirteen-year-old looking at her with wide, solemn eyes.
“Of course not. You’re my whole world, kiddo. I told you this year was all about you and me.” She reached out to tousle Hazel’s carefully straightened hair, but the girl was too quick. She had the car door open in a flash and slid out. When she bent over to say goodbye, Zoey finished her thought. “I’m positive that Sienna is Monique’s whole world, too. As moms, asparents...we’re all just doing the best we can.”
“Okay.” Hazel’s friends called her name. “Gotta go. Just...” She met Zoey’s eyes. “Dad getting married and having a baby is...a lot. I’m already slip-sliding to third or fourth place in his house. Promise me you’ll stay single for a while, Mom. Like...conventsingle. Okay?”
This wasn’t the time or place, but they were going to have to discuss that comment about where Hazel ranked with her dad. She’d talk to Chris about it, too. They couldn’t let Hazel feel she was being pushed aside. Her friends called out again.
Zoey flashed her a game smile. “I’ll talk to Father Joe about where I can find the nearest convent.”Right after I sleep with Mike McKinnon.
“Sister Zoey Hartford has a nice ring to it. Later!” With a quick wave, Hazel was lost in the throng of teens moving toward the school entrance. The excitement of summer break was palpable in their animated voices and quick steps.
Zoey needed to talk to someone. Anyone. Well...anyone except her best friend, Mike. Or her other best friend, Mary. Mike’s twin sister.Nope. Vickie? Nah, she’d push Zoey into Mike’s arms no matter what. She felt too close to tears to visit Evie at the diner. It was too early to catch Bridget at the Purple Shamrock. Besides...she was Mike’scousin.Damn this small town.
Instead, she drove to Taneisha Warren’s house, not far from the Taggart Inn. This was one of the oldest sections of town, where some of the first fanciful Victorian homes were built shortly after the Civil War. The town’s famous architect, Willard Wilkins, came home from the war disillusioned, but determined to bring happiness back to Rendezvous Falls. Wilkins embraced the “new” Victorian style and kicked it up a notch with lacy gingerbread trim and bright color combinations.
Tani’s house was a perfect example. A small round tower anchored one corner, and a wide porch graced the front of the house and wrapped right around the tower and down the side of the home toward the detached garage—originally a carriage house—in back. The home had been painted a dark blue when Tani bought it. But she and her husband Terry discovered the home was originally painted a bright lavender with turquoise, navy, mint and ivory trim, and she’d restored every one of those colors. Rendezvous Falls had many colorful homes, but Tani’s was definitely in the running for most festive.
Zoey texted her friend before getting out of the car.
Z: I need coffee. And a good listener. And maybe tissues.
T: Where R U?
Z: In your driveway. Got time?
