ahead and think that. It’s not my job anymore. “So what’d you guys do all day?”
“The park, the store, and then I promised them hamburgers but I got you and I ribeye. And I guess we’re watching Frozen.”
“It’s cute. I’ve seen it ten times.”
“So you aren’t going to join us?” He makes it sound casual and it feels a lot like when he asked me on our first date.
I thought instead of the party the guys were going to throw, I’d catch a movie if you wanted to come with.
I’d gone back to my dorm and jumped up and down with my roommates. The frat boy stud asked me, studious uncool girl, out. The rest is history. Just like our marriage.
“No. I’ll take advantage of you staying here to catch up on some training.”
He nods, but disappointment simmers in his eyes. He wants to hang out with me? He’s actually taking time off and he wants to spend it with me. That’s a revelation I don’t need to look deeper at.
If I go ahead and snuggle up in the recliners to watch the movie, I’ll start to remember how good it can be between us. How nice it is to have us all together.
Then he’ll go back to work and crush those fantasies. If he’s going to be here all week, then I’ll have to concentrate on what I’ve been letting slip when he can’t hold up his end of the co-parenting gig. My half-marathon training. The business I’m starting.
I had big plans once. By the time I graduated with my college degree, I was pregnant and married. Not exactly the high-powered CEO I envisioned myself as. My professional dreams and having kids shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. I can be a mom and a businesswoman. But those plans are the first to take a back seat when life gets busy. I’m not even thirty. Do I have to wait until I’m forty before I get my chance?
I’ve never discussed my issues with him. The few times I brought them up shortly before the divorce, he circled the conversation back to Gainesworth Equity, insinuating that I had my chance.
Anyway, he has enough hang-ups with his family. He’s proven unwilling to handle mine. Simon’s presence makes it hard to concentrate, and it’s him manning my grill that’s bringing up all these questions I’ve been ruminating over for years.
“I’ll head to the office. Let me know when dinner’s ready.” I don’t bother to look at him. Instead of feeling prudent, the sense that I’m running from him follows on my heel.
Chapter 5
Natalie
I drape Mom’s bedspread over her. Dad and I had brought her home from the hospital and shuttled her straight to bed despite her protests that she’s fine to sit in a chair. If we get her settled in her chair, she won’t rest. She’ll straighten the end table, and that would lead to a little dusting and maybe popping outside to check the garden.
“I’ve been doing nothing for days. I don’t think I can rest any more.”
Says my mom with the pale face, who ended up short of breath walking from the garage to the bedroom.
I put my hands on my hips. “You might not sleep, but you can rest. What do you need done?”
Mom purses lips that haven’t returned to their normal deep pink. “After the rain earlier this week, the weeds are probably going wild.”
“I’ll weed before I go.” Dad with his bad back shouldn’t be out in the garden trying to figure out what’s crabgrass and what’s sweet corn. “What else?”
“Oh, honey. I don’t want to—”
“Simon’s with the kids. I’ve got all day.”
Mom falls quiet, her contemplative stare in no way diminished by her illness. “He’s been helping quite a bit.”
“Well, he always liked you.” Being around Mom gives him a chance to witness a mother figure who gives a shit and doesn’t cut him down every moment she gets.
“Is he staying at the house?” Her question’s deceptively innocent as she straightens the blankets across her chest.
“Yes, actually. He didn’t really ask and it’s been so handy, I just…” I shrug. If it wasn’t for Mom in the hospital, this would’ve been perfect. Months too late but perfect nonetheless.
“Uh huh. Is he sleeping in the guest room or in your room?”
“Mom,” I admonish but my cheeks heat. She tries to laugh but breaks out in a junky cough.
Dad saunters in. “What’s this about you and Simon?”
“Nothing. We’re still divorced. But according to that article, he co-parents. I couldn’t