"Yeah, I am." He leaned back against the booth. "I won't lie and say I wasn’t pissed about the weekend cancellation."
Patricia's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I’m sorry, Terry. I really am."
"I know you are." His voice held no accusation. “But it’s important to keep to our schedule as much as possible.”
She nodded her agreement. “You’re absolutely right. You had a work conference, and that’s just as important as my job. I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll tell my boss that I can’t take the trip.”
They sipped the coffee for a moment, but he wanted to get back over the bay. "You were miserable. All those years ago. Coming home to chaos, fussy toddlers, and then little kids. You'd get this look in your eyes like you were drowning."
"I love Emma and Toby." The words came out fierce, defensive as her gaze held his.
"I never doubted that. Not once." Terry reached across the table and squeezed her hand briefly. "But loving them and being cut out for the day-to-day stuff are different things. You're a good mom in your own way."
Patricia blinked rapidly, shifting her gaze out the window before returning to his face. "I hate that I can't be what they need all the time."
"But you can be what they need some of the time. Quality over quantity, right?" Terry's smile was gentle. "They're proud of you, Pat. Emma brags about your job to anyone who'll listen."
"Does she?" Patricia's voice softened.
"All the time. And Toby thinks it's cool that his mom travels to important meetings." Terry paused, then plunged ahead. "Which brings me to why I wanted to talk to you."
Patricia straightened, her gaze sharp. "What's going on?"
"I've been seeing someone." The words hung between them for a moment. "It's getting serious."
Patricia studied his face but gave no outward expression. "Tell me about her."
"Her name is Sandra. She's an attorney. Works for Legal Aid." Terry's voice warmed. "She's incredible with the kids. Patient, kind. She actually enjoys spending time with them."
"The things I was terrible at," she said without bitterness.
He shrugged. "It seems to come naturally to her." Terry met her eyes. "Anyway, I wanted you to hear it from me before the kids mentioned her."
Patricia nodded slowly. "How long have you been together?"
"We saw each other in secret for a couple of months, as friends and then more.” Terry hesitated. "Then I decided to introduce her to the kids. She likes them, and they like her. And you should know that she is in no way trying to take your place in their hearts. But she makes me understand what it feels like to have a partner who actually wants to be there."
A slight wince crossed Patricia’s face, but she quickly schooled her features. "I'm sorry I couldn't be that for you."
"We both tried to make something work that wasn't meant to." Terry's tone was matter-of-fact. "But we got two amazing kids out of it."
"We did." Patricia smiled, her expression now softened. "So when do I get to meet the woman who's making you happy?"
Terry chuckled as he nodded. “I’m glad you want to meet her."
"Terry, she's going to be around my children. Of course I want to meet her." Patricia's voice was matter-of-fact, but her gaze was sharp. "But more than that, if she's important to you, then she's important to them. I want to make sure she knows she has my support."
He held her gaze and nodded. “Thank you, Pat.”
She shook her head and offered a warm smile. “You don’t have to thank me.” She finished her latte, dabbed at her lips with a napkin, and checked her watch. "I should go. But Terry? I'm glad you found someone who fits. You deserve to be happy."
Terry watched her gather her purse and briefcase, marveling at how they'd managed to get to this place. "You deserve to be happy, too."
"I am happy." She paused at the edge of the table. "Maybe not in the way society says I should be, but I'm building something meaningful with my career, and I get to love my kids without the daily stress of trying to be someone I'm not. It’s not conventional, and many would judge me for it. Thank you for helping to bring us to a place where we can be who we need to be."
She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then left the shop as he watched. And as he drove over the Bay Bridge back to the Eastern Shore, a lighthearted smile stayed on his face.
28
