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“I can do that,” she said. “My cousin Hocus has all the connections. We’ll find someone for you.”
“Thank you so much. Lisa, your significant other is Ryan, correct?” Tony asked.
“Well, he was, but we just separated.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Tony said apologetically.
“Don’t be. It’s for the best,” Lisa asserted. “We’re so busy here all the time, I’m sure we’ll adapt.”
She didn’t say that the activity of the household had once swirled around a disinterested Ryan, so he wouldn’t be missed for long.As a matter of fact, she suddenly thought,life might actually be better with him gone.
That epiphany helped to change her outlook drastically. For a moment, anyway, she had a sense of forgiveness for Ryan. She had known what he was like early in their relationship, yet she’d thought their love for each other would curb his wandering eye.
She might love Ryan because they were sister and brother, and he was the father of her babies. But she could do it from afar, like Alison did.
“Anyway, I can’t wait for Kassie to quit her job so she can finally relax,” Tony said.
“Does she have any hobbies?” Lisa asked, then laughed. “I don’t have one, so I might be jealous.”
“She doesn’t, really. Her work is pretty intense. She reads and likes to antique.”
“Oh, man! You mean like flea marketing? I love that, too. Ryan and I were just talking about how we used to love it, but then we had too much stuff.”
“She’ll go flea marketing with you. I love it myself. I’ll be your driver.”
They had a pleasant chat, and soon it was time for him to leave when Nancy brought the little girls out. Madelyn ran right up to him, Sierra toddling behind.
“What’s your name?” Madelyn asked.
“I’m Tony. Who are you?”
“I can’t talk to strangers,” she announced, flipping her braid over her shoulder.
Sierra went to Tony, grabbing his knees. “Daddy.”
Lisa grabbed Sierra’s hand and swung her into her arms. “Sierra, get real. Sorry, Tony.”
“It’s fine,” he said, amused.
“My girls are driving you out,” Lisa said, barking out a laugh. She didn’t care; she was getting antsy for him to leave, anyway.
“Not at all. I enjoyed chatting with you and Daniela.”
After he left, Lisa got lunch for Daniela and gave her a pain pill. She fell asleep soon after. Lisa helped Nancy feed the girls and get them down for a nap, and then there was adult time until it was time to pick up the older children from school. At three o’clock, Sandra called.
“Andy’s going to go for the kids,” she said. “You’ve done enough. We’ll take over school transport for the rest of the week.”
“Are you sure?” Lisa hated feeling so needy, but she needed the help, and here they were offering.
“I’m completely sure. We can do it for the rest of our lives if you need us to,” Sandra replied, snickering. “I have one more trip west, and then I’m finished. We’re closing on the Las Vegascasino after the first. By the way, what are you going to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas? I know it’s early.”
“I’m already thinking of that, too. I’m sure my mother will have something at her house. But knowing Pam, she’ll invite Ryan, and I’m not spending the holidays with him this year. Maybe next year, but I need some breathing room.”
“I can’t speak for Pam,” Sandra said, “but I don’t think she’d invite Ryan if she thought there was a chance you wouldn’t come.”
“Am I being unreasonable?” Lisa asked.
“No!” Sandra exclaimed. “Not at all.”
