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“Emma, I can’t afford all that,” I tell her quietly. The hard truth is I’m going to be struggling for a little while with all my expenses until I can build my clientele list back up at the salon.
“This is on me, and seriously, I got it all for a steal. You’d be shocked by the price I paid.”
“Emma.” I sigh.
“Don’t say my name like that. Just say thank you.”
“Fine, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. When Eli gets off work, he and a friend of his are going to pick everything up and take it over to your new place.”
“He doesn’t have to do that. I’m sure I can—”
“It was his suggestion,” she interrupts. “And you’ve got enough to do.”
“Tell him thank you for me.”
“I will,” she says quietly, then asks, “Is Bowie home?”
“No, but Patty got here just a little bit ago.”
“Oh wow. Okay, how’s that going?”
“It’s good,” I assure her quickly when I hear footsteps on the stairs.
“Okay, good.”
“I’m gonna get off here. Kingston has his first day at daycare today, so I’m going to get him something to eat, then head out to drop him off.”
“Are you still taking the class tomorrow?” she asks, referring to a master cutting and color class the salon is putting on—a refresher I need before I start back next week. Even if I’ve been doing hair for a few friends, including Emma, I still feel out of practice.
“Yep, I’ll be there.”
“Awesome, let me know if you want me to come by tonight to help you pack some more. That way, you’ll be ready to move this weekend.”
“I’ll let you know.” I smile at Kingston when he runs into the kitchen ahead of Patty.
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you too.” I hang up and set my phone down.
“Hey, lovie.” I pick Kingston up, and he wraps his arms around my neck. “Are you so happy Grandma is here?”
“Yes.” He burrows his face into my neck, and I rub his back.
“Still sleepy?” I whisper against his ear.
“No.”
“Hungry?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Okay, let’s get you something to eat, then get you ready to go to school.” I carry him over to his booster seat at the table while Patty makes herself a cup of coffee. “Pancakes or oatmeal?” I smooth his wild hair back away from his face.
“Pancakes.” He yawns, and I grab his tablet and hand it to him before going to the pantry.
“He’s starting school today?” Patty asks when I get over to the stove.
“Yeah, next week, I start back at the salon, so I want him to get used to being there.”
“I could keep him. I’m planning on sticking around for a while.”
“That’s sweet, and I know he’d love that, but I really think it’s time to start getting him used to being around other kids, since he should start pre-k after this summer.”
“Already?”
“He’s going to be four at the beginning of August,” I remind her.
“Where did the time go?” she asks, then she turns to look out of the kitchen when the front door is opened, and knowing it’s Bowie, anxiety floods my system like a tidal wave. “Hey, honey,” she greets her son as he walks into the kitchen, and I busy myself with making pancakes for Kingston.
“Mom.” He kisses her cheek, then he goes to Kingston and kisses the top of his head. When his eyes meet mine, I really wish I could fast-forward through this part of our separation. The awkwardness is thick enough to cut with a knife, and I don’t think either of us knows how to be around the other at this point and time.
“You’re packing stuff up already?” he asks, looking at the boxes against the wall.
“Yes, Saturday, Emma and I are going to rent a truck and get things over to my new apartment.”
“I work Saturday and Sunday night.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure everything is downstairs. That way, we don’t disturb you.”
“I don’t care about that, Miranda. I’d like to know where my kid is going to be living part of the time.”
“I’ll give you the address so you can check it out, and Monday, you can come over after I pick Kingston up from daycare, unless you want to pick him up.” I take the pancakes off the pan and place them on a plate, then add some syrup before I cut them up.
“I’ll pick him up,” he says easily, and the tension that was held in my muscles since he got home loosens a little.
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to get through this transition after all.
CHAPTER EIGHT
miranda
I thought I knew what being tired was, but as I make my way up the walkway to the front door of my new apartment, I now know I was wrong.
I forgot what it was like to be on my feet all day doing hair for client after client, and I never experienced working full time while being a parent, so this week has been an exhausting adjustment.
