I give Dad a sideways hug from where he’s sitting at the head of the table, and he squeezes me back. “I made you your favorite.”
“My hero.” I beam while he hands me a plate with two bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits.
I smile at Taylor while sliding into the seat next to her. She reaches for a turkey and Swiss wrap and whispers, “Seriously though. Where were you last night?”
“You’re worse than your boyfriend,” I admonish, and she laughs. Taylor is an adorable short, blonde with the brightest smile and a cute, little button nose. I tell her all the time she’s too good for my brother, but she only ever smiles and shrugs.
“So, anyway,” Lucy says pointedly in my direction, “as I was saying.”
Lucy dives back into issues she’s been having with parents at her school. She’s a principal of a local elementary school and it’s the perfect career for her. I love my sister, but she’s uptight as hell with a constant need to be in control and micromanage everything.
Lucy’s tall, midsized, with long cherry-blonde hair. She always has a face full of makeup and is polished at all times in business casual. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she sleeps in pencil skirts.
“That’s amazing, sweetheart,” Mom says. Lucy is Mom’s mini me, except Mom’s relaxed her daily professional attire for a more casual look ever since she retired six months ago.
“How was your flight, hun?” Mom asks me.
Before I can answer, Dad says, “We would’ve loved to ask you last night, but you know I can’t keep my eyes open past eleven anymore.”
“Yeah.” Landon grins. “What time did you get in again?Ow!” he yelps as Taylor elbows him in the side.
I flash her a thankful smile—because, while Taylor will tease me privately, she knows I hate prying questions on mypersonal life in front of the entire family—and turn my attention on Mom. “My flight was fine. Smooth ride. And one of the pilots was a friend from flight school.”
“Oh, that’s so nice!” Mom says. “They fly out of Detroit? Maybe you could ask them if they’re hiring.”
Great. I walked right into that one.
“I have a job already, Mom,” I remind her. “And, for the hundredth time, that’s not how that works.”
I work for a regional airline that doesn’t have a base anywhere around here, and commuting from Michigan to California will obviously never be an option. Besides, I love my base. My mentor, Kelly Nelson, is there, and she’s an accomplished and talented pilot who I’ve learned so much from.
“Yes, but in California.” Mom predictably sighs. “Isn’t it so nice to be back together? With family?”
Mom glances wistfully around the table.
“Landon doesn’t live here either,” I point out.
Landon’s cheeks flush pink, and Taylor focuses on scooping a spoonful of macaroni salad on her plate as if it requires the same level of focus as landing a plane in vicious crosswinds.
“Regardless, I couldn’t be more thankful that all my children are here now,” Mom says, then cuts her gaze in Dad’s direction. “Especially since we have good news to share.”
“You’re not competing in another doubles tournament, are you?” Lucy asks, deadpan, and I hide my snort behind my fist.
My parents are not handling transitioning into the unstructured freedom of retirement well. Mom is a business mastermind who built up her jewelry store into a small franchise with three locations. Dad is a numbers guy and wasthe store’s accountant. They sold it for a pretty penny—although neither will admithowpretty—and have been coming up with interesting ways to fill all the gaps in their never-before wide-open schedule. Playing doubles tennis was their worst idea yet and resulted in Dad spraining his ankle. They had to drop out of the tournament before they could finish their first set.
“Good god no,” Dad says. “Never again.”
“We’re selling the house!” Mom bursts and glances around the room with giddy excitement.
“Which house?” My siblings and I ask at the same time.
“The main house in Winston,” Dad answers.
“We’re moving in here permanently,” Mom adds.
Cool relief floods my veins, and my shoulders relax. Despite only being about an hour away from our main house, the lake house is a respite. It’s far enough away I never have to see anyone I grew up with or hear their shitty worldviews. I’ve never shared this with my family, but I only come back for holidays when they are held at the lake house. I refuse to set foot in Winston, and I couldn’t be more grateful I’ll never have to again.
“And good news: We already accepted an offer and will need to be out by the third. Which is perfect timing since you both are here,” Mom says while looking at Landon and me, “because you’ll have to clear out your old rooms.”
