AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But I know me, and it wouldn’t benothing morefor long.”
He’d helped her clear boxes and clothing off the bed in the guest room. Saturday, they had worked at sorting through more of the junk, making room for his belongings. In the afternoon, a trip to a farmer’s market with Christmas trees and other holiday offerings had made him more than homesick.
After cooking dinner for Jolene, he’d had trouble falling asleep, thinking about the life he’d left behind on Long Island. It was better for the family if he wasn’t there. Living with Lisa had been the path of least resistance.
Away from them, he worked and made a decent living at the firm his father had started, but it was a grind, a hamster’s wheel of drudgery and traffic and missing his life with Lisa.
He reached for his phone and called her. It was eight o’clock. She’d be up.
“Morning,” Lisa said, her voice sweet.
“You sound good.”
“Do I?”
“Can I see the kids today?”
“Aw, Ry, why? It’s finally quiet here.”
“Please.”
“Are you coming alone?”
“I’m staying with Jolene, in the guest room. No hanky panky.”
“Ha! That’s your business, though. Would she come?”
“Would it be a problem? I don’t need her to come, but it would be easier. I want to rent her room.”
“Are you going to keep your place here in Babylon?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know. I’m not my father, and that commute is a killer.”
“He didn’t do it, remember? At least you have the courage to admit that you didn’t want to be tied down here. Jack never did that. He lied to my mother for their entire marriage.”
“I don’t want to lie to you. I love you, Lisa. I just can’t manage the chaos.”
“I know. We don’t have to rehash that again. Okay, bring Jolene. I’m having the usual Sunday get-together.”
“No one else stepped up to have it?”
“Sandra did, but it’s easier for me to do it here.”
“Okay, if you say so. What time?”
“Same time. Lunch.”
“Can I bring anything?”
“No, not really. I’m not going overboard. I’ve got chili going in the crock pot. We had a party yesterday, and my mother had it catered by Organic Bonanza. Hocus did the work. I have lots of leftovers.”
“You had one yesterday, too? Wow. Is it too cold to be on the beach?”
“No, it’s perfect for football. They played for hours yesterday. It’s warmer today.”
“I’ll come ready for football.”
“See you later, then.”
