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“It’s a big responsibility choosing the man who will be their father figure.”
“He’ll be more than that, honey. He’llbetheir father.”
Panic floods through my nervous system like food poisoning, causing my stomach to turn over. “I guess that’s true.”
“I’m not trying to upset you. Lord knows you’ve had enough of that. I just want you to get out of this rut you’ve been in. It’s time.”
On my way to work, I mull over my conversation with Edna, and think about all that this summer has brought so far. Wyatt’s baseball league announces which team wins the tickets to the Dodgers game tonight.
If Wyatt’s team wins, I’m going to go to LA with my kids and Ethan with an open mind. Ever since Ethan and I decided to date, I’ve been reminding myself that it’s just a temporary thing. But maybe, just maybe, it can be something more. I realize that’s putting a lot of expectations toward a trip to California, but Edna is right. I do have to put myself out there. I have to be brave and take risks.
Feeling a bit lighter in my step, I walk into the diner, determined to let myself fall for Ethan. Even if he leaves and nothing more happens between us, isn’t it like Tennyson said, “It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all?”
I hurry to make the coffee and fill the creamers and sugar containers. As soon as Ethan walks in, I ask, “Could you meet me in the supply closet for a minute?”
He looks nervous. “Sure.”
As soon as we’re both inside, I shut the door behind him and lean against it. “I don’t think we’re doing a very good job of enjoying our time together.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Now get over here and kiss me like you mean it.”
Ethan is more than happy to oblige, and we spend the next several minutes in a bid to make up for lost time. It isn’t until Abigail bangs on the door that we come up for air. “I’m pretty sure that toilet paper can arrange itself. I could use a little help out here.”
I smile up at Ethan. “She’s onto us.”
I put my hand on the doorknob while he says, “Meet me back in here after the breakfast rush?”
“Wild elephants couldn’t keep me away.”
Life is short. It’s also complicated, confusing, and terrifying, but most importantly, it’s short. Even if I only have Ethan for a few months, I’m going to make the most of that time. I’ll need those memories to get me through the lonely times ahead until someone else comes into my life.
Chapter28
Ethan
My dad is almost as excited about Wyatt’s game as the kids are. “Hurry up,” he calls out to my mom and me. “I don’t want to be late!”
“They don’t announce the winner until after the game,” I remind him.
“Maybe so, but I don’t want to miss the game.” He jangles his keys in his pocket like he does when he gets impatient.
“Good God, Isaac.” My mom comes out of their bedroom while putting the back on one of her earrings. “You don’t even know this boy. Why are you so worked up?”
“It’s been a long time since we had any kids sports to watch. I’ve missed it. Plus, Ihavegotten to know Moira’s boys and I like them a lot.”
Mom grabs her purse off the table and joins us at the front door. “Fine, but if I get bitten by a mosquito, I’m taking the car and leaving.”
My dad looks up at me. “Let’s drive separately.”
My mom hits him on the arm. “We’ll drive together, but I’m sitting in the car if I get swarmed.” Sometimes I think my mom makes a fuss to remind herself that she’s alive. Like if she doesn’t fight back, life will just run her over.
On the way to the park, my dad announces, “This is a nice town, son. I can see why you wanted to come up here to write.”
“Don’t encourage him, Isaac,” my mom warns.
“Don’t encourage me to write or to like the town I’m writing in?” I ask for clarification.
