senior year of high school?”
Her smile dims at the mention of my senior year. “You didn’t. Seems that maybe this has all come full circle, then.”
She doesn’t even know the half of it. “I guess.”
There’s something I want to ask her about, but I feel selfish for even considering it.
“Isla, what is it, honey?”
I swallow my sip of tea. “What do you mean?”
She tilts her head. “I can see that there’s something on your mind. Now what is it?”
Setting my mug down on the table in front of me, I sigh. “Garrin mentioned wanting to get away this weekend. Maybe heading to Telluride to do some skiing. He has a home there.”
“That sounds fantastic. Why don’t you seem excited?” she asks.
I finger the handle of my mug, guilt and indecision weighing heavy in my gut. “Because of Papi. How can I go enjoy a weekend away knowing he’s here sick?”
My mom frowns, her forehead wrinkling. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to put your entire life on hold because of your dad’s illness. It’s enough that you up and left your life in Washington to be here to see him through it. Neither of us expects you to stop living.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I say fiercely.
“I know.” A sad smile graces her face.
I look a lot like my mom in the shape of my face and my features, but my coloring comes from my dad’s Hispanic background. When I was growing up, my parents always joked that I was the perfect blend of the two of them.
She reaches forward and grips my hand. “Something you need to understand is that a parent is always happiest when their child is happy. Your dad and I watched you struggle so much in the decade since your senior year. To finally see you happy and becoming the person we remember before the incident has been a joy to watch. Truly. You seem so much happier and more comfortable in your own skin since you’ve been with Garrin. Go away with him this weekend and enjoy yourself. Honey, life is too short not to grab the opportunities for happiness that it presents you. Grab onto yours and don’t let go. Nothing would make your dad happier, trust me.”
Tears glisten in my eyes, but I blink them back. I know in my gut she’s right—my dad does just want to see me happy.
“What if something happens and I’m away?” I whisper.
A crease forms between her brows. “You’re not leaving the country. You can fly right back here. But your dad is doing well, honey. The radiation is doing its job.”
We got an update from the doctor yesterday and he’s very pleased with the progress my dad is making. As he put it, he’s cautiously optimistic.
“I don’t know…”
She squeezes my hand, then lets it go. “Enjoy a weekend away with Garrin. You deserve it. You’ve been working so hard and then splitting your time between your dad and him. You could use the break.”
Even though I know she’s right, it’s hard to think about leaving my dad. But I know he has my mom here, who loves him as much as I do. Not to mention the medical staff who helps with his care. He’s in good hands.
Getting away with Garrin so it’s just the two of us in our own bubble sounds like my idea of heaven right now.
“Go, Isla. Nothing will make your dad happier than seeing you happy.”
I nod. “Okay, I’ll go.”
My mom’s smile spreads wide across her face. I don’t think I’ve seen her smile like that since before my dad’s diagnosis.
Maybe this is the right decision.
“Good. Now that that’s settled, I’m going to check on your dad before I head out to a charity meeting for the Children’s Resource Center. You have a great day, honey.” She stands from the table and comes around to my side, bending to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I love you.”
“You too.”
As soon as she’s left the room, I pick up my phone to text Garrin and let him know that I’ve decided a weekend away is exactly what I need. His response comes seconds later.
Garrin: You just brightened an otherwise shitty day. I’ll make all the arrangements. We leave Friday morning at 9 a.m. Don’t worry about Ford giving you hell, I’ll tell him.
I’m not used to having someone take care of things for me, but the idea of it causes a warm feeling to spread in my chest. A girl could get