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Mom caught me watching him, and she smiled fondly. “He’s just like you at his age. Did you know that? All he wants to do is whatever your dad is doing.”
“I hope they haven’t been too much trouble.” I helped move bowls of mashed potatoes and beans to the table.
“Of course not. They were absolutely wonderful the entire time. Such happy, well-behaved children, like always.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same kids?” I raised an eyebrow, thinking how I couldn’t get through a day without at least five total meltdowns from Ethan.
Mom just laughed. “Of course, dear. You and Cheryl have done an amazing job with them. I know you have some challenges, but I promise, they’re doing just fine.” She patted me on the cheek. “Now go wash up so we can eat.”
Dinner was a whole new experience. Around my parents, my kids were… just kids. Goofy, playful, a little mischievous, but they mostly minded their manners. Not a hint of the serious little soldiers I had at home.
Of course, my parents spoiled them with too few vegetables and way too much dessert, but it was worth it to see them so happy. It’d been months, maybe a year, since I’d heard that much laughter.
My throat clenched as I realized the reason. I couldn’t recall a time in the last several years that I made them laugh like that. They modeled their serious personas on me. Moving here was beneficial, and giving them access to my parents was a good move. They needed to be around family, and I still had a lot to do to create a similar atmosphere in our home.
And true to my revelation at dinner, they were quiet on the drive home. I tried to prompt them with some questions about their weekend and received short answers in response.
I thought they’d be excited to discover I’d unpacked most of the house—including their bedrooms—but their only response was a dutiful ‘thank you’ and they immediately started getting ready for bed.
We read a story, and I tucked them in like our usual routine, but the radiant glow from the weekend was already gone.
I got ready for bed, laying out my suit for the next day, and resolved to find a way out of the funk that our home life had become. Tomorrow they’d start school and hopefully it’d give us some opportunities to build a new life, a happier life, together.
* * *
Despite my best efforts at a ‘happier’morning, it unfortunately went about the same as Friday had gone—without the comic book incident. The kids were polite and followed instruction, but they betrayed very little emotion to me. I got them to school and checked in, confirming they’d ride the bus beginning tomorrow, then headed in to work.
Even though I was nervous about meeting JJ’s daughter Isabelle, I was confident I’d be able to help her grow into the leader her dad wanted. It’s what I’ve been doing for years, in a slightly different context.
So I knew the nervous energy zipping through me wasn’t about work at all—it was about my plan to text Ellie today.
For two excruciating days I’d thought over dozens of messages, ranging from flirty to playful, sarcastic to downright dirty. Even though I knew I wouldn’t have the guts to send her a sext in a million years, it was still fun to imagine.
I left my briefcase in my office Friday, so I had nothing to carry up to the offices aside from a ziplock bag with two cookies in it. I’d included a cookie in the kids’ lunches, which earned me a proud smile from Olivia, and a suggestion that I take cookies in my lunch, too.
How could I say no?
I had on a navy blue suit today, which felt familiar to the uniform I had worn for so many years. Friday had clearly been a casual day, but surely everyone would dress more formally, more like they worked in a billion-dollar company, for Monday.
When I got off the elevator, I knew immediately that I was wrong; Larissa was wearing a polo again, which meant Friday was probably an ordinary day, not a 'casual' one.
If she was surprised, Larissa didn’t betray it. “JJ said to send you back to his office when you arrived, Mr. Wright. Just at the end of the hall,” she pointed to the same hallway where my office was.
“Great, thanks Larissa,” I smiled and marched in that direction.
I was only halfway down the hall when I heard the raised voices, and my steps slowed. The door at the end, with ‘JJ Tremont - CEO’ on the shiny gold plaque, was closed.
A feminine voice, obviously upset, carried through the door, although the words were muffled. A deeper male voice, clearly JJ, replied, his tone terse.
I hesitated in the hallway, then glanced at my watch. If I didn’t knock on his door in the next minute, I was late. In my world, I’d already cut it close by only arriving five minutes early, but it took extra time to get the kids settled at school. Being on time was incredibly important to me, but there was clearly a heated discussion going on in the office.
Taking a few tentative steps closer, I positioned myself outside the door and glanced again at my watch. Unfortunately, this put me close enough to hear what they were saying.
I raised my hand to knock, then froze, unable to help overhearing.
“… Don’t know what you’re so upset about, Isabelle. This isn’t a punishment! I just thought it would help you to bring someone on with leadership experience.”
Oh shit, they were fighting about me. Now I definitely didn’t want to knock on that door.
