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“Of course you can sit by me, pumpkin.” I cannot say no to this child and her adorable blonde curls.
“Dad calls me princess. How come you say punkin?” Her little brow furrows.
“Pumpkin. Like the round orange things you carve faces in at Halloween. And Halloween is in October, like your birthday.” I carry her with me to the car.
“Are you gonna come to my birfday this year?”
That’s the part I hate about living on the east coast. Even though I make it back a few times a year, I miss a lot of my half-siblings’ childhood. I miss holidays, birthdays, and get-togethers, too.
When I left Denver, my plan was to come back as little as possible, and never when Wes was around, because my heart was too raw to handle it. The school, the students, and the house we shared would’ve been constant reminders of the only person I ever felt truly connected to. As tough as I am, even I wouldn’t have been able to handle that constant barrage of emotion. Only Dad and Sam know that, even though they think I was overreacting, attributing my heartache to teenage hormones instead of the soul-crushing pain of being dropped like a bad-habit by the person I loved. They tried their best to support me by helping me plan visits home during times when Wes wouldn’t be around. Now, eight years later, I can honestly say I didn’t think I’d be away this long.
It wasn’t only because of Wes that I stayed away. That’s how it started. Then, I went off to college, graduated, got my first career-worthy job…Next thing I knew, I found myself building a life in D.C., being a translator at one of the hospitals. It took up most of my time and well, the hospital doesn’t shut down for the holidays.
I can’t deny those were convenient excuses to avoid him. I’m still in no rush to see the person who shattered my heart so thoroughly that I’ve never been able to give it to another, but it was life, not Wes Straight, that kept me away so long. I’m thinking maybe it’s time to change that.
“I hope so. I hope I can be at lots of birthdays.” I tickle Emmy enough to make her squeal.
We all pile in the limo sent by the team to take us to the stadium. Sam takes a seat between the two little ones, who busy themselves pushing every button they can reach. Dad and I sit near the back, since both of us prefer to face forward while we’re moving.
“More birthdays?” He casts me a playful grin. “Does that mean you’re finally going to use all the vacation time the hospital gives you?”
After traveling the world for several years, I don’t have the itch to get on an airplane beyond the occasional visit home, so I rarely take time off. Dad worries about me repeating his mistakes given how much I work, but since I’m single, my schedule doesn’t really hurt anyone.
“I was thinking more about transferring to a hospital here. I’d like to be closer to everyone.” I pick at a non-existent piece of lint on my dress, waiting for his response.
“You talk to your mom about that? You know she’d do just about anything to get you back here.” It’s a warning of sorts, not to get their hopes up unless I’m serious.
“Not yet. Right now, it’s just an idea I’m toying with. I don’t even know if it will work. Translators are more in demand in DC than here, so I don’t know what sort of openings I could find. Since I’m here a few weeks this time, I plan to visit places in the area to see if any feel right.”
“Between me and Sam, your mom and Anthony, I’m sure we could figure it out. If that’s what you want.”
“I think so. I mean, I love my job and my co-workers, but the kids are growing so fast, and our ages are already enough of a barrier. I don’t want distance to be another one. Not anymore.”
Emmy squeals with delight as she discovers the button she’s pushing makes the lighting in the car change colors, prompting Alex to take an interest in that particular button. Dad and I both chuckle.
“We’d love to close the distance, but no one expects you to give up a life you enjoy for them.”
“I know. But it’s only the job part of being in DC that I love. The city itself is busy and crowded and humid, and nothing like Denver or some of the other places we lived over the years. I miss all the open space, and the weather.”
“The weather is tough to beat,” he grins, “but you’ve avoided living here for a while. Are you good with, you know,everythingabout living here?” I should’ve known he’d bring Wes into this.
“I’m not suregoodis the word for it, but I’ll survive. Besides, I’d only have to deal with him on occasion since he doesn’t live in Denver anymore.” I don’t keep up with his career beyond knowing he doesn’t play for the Stallions, which is all I care about.
“Yeah. Um, I meant to…”
“We’re here!” Alex shouts. “Is that Uncle Wes?” He lunges for the door the instant the car stops.I know better than to let him bolt out before an adult exits, but my limbs are frozen in place.Wes?
“Whoa, slow down,” Dad wraps a thick arm around his waist with a nervous glance in my direction. “Remember your manners, okay?” I briefly wonder if that statement is meant for my six-year old brother or me.
“Okay!” Alex squirms against his restraint, and with a sigh Dad opens the door so he can bound outside, straight into the arms that are as familiar to me as if they’d held me yesterday. I shoot my Dad a scathing look.
“I only just found out about it.” He holds his hands up like he’s surrendering.
“Found out about what?”
“Wes. He took a management position with the Stallions after the injury forced Arizona to let him go. I was trying to tell you but…”
I look to Sam, who averts her eyes as she and Emmy clamor past us to exit the car.Traitor.
