"I know that seems obvious to you but it's not actually best for everyone and it's not a permanent solution." I debated taking the next step, knowing it could very well blow up in my face. "You're right that we don't have much family in Virginia. But that's why we're moving to Boston. There's someone very important to me—and Percy—there. Someone we love very much. Her name's Audrey and I've known her since high school. She's the best person I know and…and we have friends there too. People who've helped find a school that fits his needs and families with kids who make him feel welcome."
Maddie's hands fell to her sides. "Oh."
"Audrey doesn't want to take Penny's place," I said. "I know she'll want to keep Penny's memory alive, to help Percy know his mom. Because she loves him and wants what's best for him."
"That's what I want too," she said quietly.
"We all want that," I said.
"I know," she said, a little snappy, a little defensive. "I just…there aren't a lot of right answers, okay?"
"Believe me, I know. But when it comes down to it, what we want isn't relevant to this debate. It's about Percy and giving him the best we have."
She took this in with a slow nod before saying, "Then I think I have a few suggestions that might work for us and this blended family situation we have going on."
I decided this wasn't the time to grumble about these suggestions, the ones that hadn't dawned on her until my kid was an hour deep into his chat with a judge.
I really needed them to be talking about mythology and not how I used to walk him to sleep while watching theJohn Wickmovies. Or that I let him eat burgers with pizza slice buns. Or that he referred to the dog as his brother.
I caught my attorney's eye and motioned for her to join us. "What's up?"
"And then Itold her that Bagel is three different colors." He stopped signing long enough to wag three fingers at me. "White and brown and black, and black spots on his belly."
"Important details," I said, taking his hand as we crossed the parking lot. "Did you talk to the judge about anything other than Bagel?"
"We talked about carrots and how Bagel likes to chomp on them but he leaves little carrot bits on the floor and makes such a mess!"
"Right. The carrot bits." Automatic doors whooshed open as we stepped into the hotel lobby. "Anything else? Anything about school or therapy or?—"
He wrenched his hand away and sprinted across the lobby, his Ninja Turtles backpack bouncing from side to side as he ran. Between stunned blinks I saw him fly into?—
Holy fuck, it was Audrey. She was here, her arms outstretched as Percy crashed into her, sending her back several steps until she finally fell to her knees. For a second, all I could do was watch while she whispered something into his ear that had him giggling like wild and lashing his arms around her neck.I felt it deep inside my chest when she smoothed his hair into place and held him like she'd never let go.
I remembered how to use my legs then, quickly closing the distance in a few long strides. I didn't think twice about dropping to the lobby floor and throwing my arms around them both. My lips met her temple as I said, "I don't know what you're doing here but it's so fucking good to see you, Saunders."
"I couldn't let you do this alone," she said. "I missed my boys too much."
Percy freed himself enough to sign, "Can we go home now? To Bagel?"
"Soon. After we take care of a few things at Grandma's house and visit with Aunt Maddie." To Audrey, I said, "And then we'll go home."
She met my eyes with a question. I nodded, smiling. Hoping that was enough of an explanation for now. We'd wade through the details later.
Percy chose that moment to wiggle free and pop to his feet, leaving us tangled on the floor. He signed, "Can we go out for burgers now? You said I could have the one with brisket in the middle."
"Wait, what was that word?" Audrey asked as she repeated the sign.
I peered at her. "You understood him?"
"No, I didn't, that's what I'm saying," she replied. "What's in the middle of the burger?"
"Brisket," I said. "But you understood the rest."
"Mostly, yeah," she said.
"I've been teaching Audrey while we bake bread," Percy signed. "She knows all my favorite books, Daddy." To her, he added, "I finished listening to the book. We have so much to talk about."
"I knew you'd like it," she said.
