“What do you mean?”
Theo stepped away from the ladder.“I came here to get away from New York City.I never thought I’d meet someone special or enjoy starting a community radio station.But I have, and I do, and I don’t know what I’m going to do next.”
“Do you want to live in New York City again?”
“I enjoyed being a journalist.The staff atThe New York Timesare great and the job offer is better than what I had before.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Picking up the broom, Theo swept the last lot of gutter gunk into a pile.“If I want my old job back, I’ll have to live in New York.”
“Where does that leave you and Barbara?”
“I don’t know.She’s able to work from Sapphire Bay for another few months but, after that, she isn’t sure what will happen.”
“Sapphire Bay is a long way from New York City.”
Ethan didn’t have to tell Theo that.“San Diego is a lot farther.”
“True.”
“You’re not helping.”
“I don’t know what to say.”Ethan opened the garbage bag and gagged.“This smells even nastier when it’s in the bag.”
“For someone who’s a trained psychologist, your advice sucks.”
“I’m being extra cautious.Not only are you my friend, but you’re dating my fiancée’s sister.If I tell you what I think, it could land me in hot water with everyone.”
Theo threw the pile of blackened gunk into the bag.“Forget about everyone else.I’m asking as your friend.What would you do?”
“As my friend, I’d tell you what happened with Diana and me.We had a similar discussion before I asked her to marry me.I was lucky.She wanted to stay here.It’s not easy deciding what you’ll do when both of you have careers in other cities.”
Theo sighed.“That’s the thing, I don’t have to move to New York.The county has given me enough money to keep the radio station going for at least another eighteen months.After that, I should be able to keep operating without applying for more funding.But I’ll never earn the same salary that I would in New York.”
“Money isn’t everything.”
“How have you found living in Sapphire Bay?”
Ethan smiled.“Even if I hadn’t met Diana, I probably would have stayed.The work I’m doing with Zac and John makes me happy.My clients appreciate what I do and I’m able to run therapy sessions that make a big difference in people’s lives.I don’t need a big salary or an expensive house to have a good life here.Does that help?”
“Not really.”
“You need to work out what’s important.You might be able to come to some sort of compromise that will work for you and Barbara.”
The alarm on Theo’s cell phone beeped.“Thanks for the advice.You’ll have to clean the rest of the gutters on your own.I have an interview to do.”
“I heard the interview you did with the owner of the pianola.It was great.”
“Thanks.Saskia’s a lovely lady.It took a lot of courage to talk about what happened to her family.”
“Remember that when you’re deciding what you’ll do.Call me if you need anything else.”
“I will.”Theo looked up at the roof.“Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?I could talk to Wyatt and see if he can hold the ladder.”
“I’ll be fine.This is the last section I have to do.”
Even with that reassurance, Theo was still worried.After he climbed into his truck, he called Wyatt and arranged for him to come down for half an hour.The last thing Theo needed was his best friend breaking his neck when he fell off the rickety old ladder.
