Andy looked at his brother. “We’re writing a book for other kids who have grown up with parents who get angry.”
“Katie’s helping us,” Charlie added. “She knows lots about self-publishing.”
David was glad they’d found a way to express how they were feeling. He didn’t know what it was like living in an abusive home, but it must be horrific.
“And Ethan helps, too.” The strained look on Andy’s face faded to a shadow. “He’s a family therapist. After we moved to Sapphire Bay, he talked to us about Dad.”
Charlie leaned forward. “He has a big dog called Charlie—just like my name. And a little dog called Gonzo. We’re getting a dog from the animal shelter one day.”
“You’re lucky,” David told the boys. “My mom and dad only let me have a hamster.”
“Hamsters are good, too. Except you can’t take them for walks.”
Andrea visibly relaxed. “The boys love taking Diana and Ethan’s dogs for walks around the lake.”
David was so focused on Andrea and her sons that, when the server arrived, he jumped.
“Are you ready to order your pizza?” their server asked.
Charlie and Andy nodded eagerly.
David smiled at Andrea. “Why don’t you go first?”
After they’d chosen their pizzas, Andrea talked about a basketball tournament the boys were playing in. As Andy and Charlie told him about their practice sessions, and the things they wanted to do during summer break, they became more animated. It was good to see them laugh and act like typical boys.
Despite a terrible start to their lives, they were great kids. Whether they ever accepted him into their lives as anything other than their mom’s business partner was a different matter.
Andrea handed David a cup of coffee. She’d enjoyed having dinner with him, and so had the boys. After a bumpy start, they’d settled into an easy stream of conversation. Afterward, she’d invited him to stay for coffee.
Sitting on her favorite chair on the front porch, she looked across the road at the large oak tree. “The boys are still talking about the ice cream sundaes they ate.”
David smiled. “They were enormous. I’m impressed they finished them.”
“So was I. I’m not sure how well they’ll sleep tonight, though. Charlie’s talking non-stop and Andy pulled out their story to do more work on it.”
“They’ll be okay. They’re lucky they have you as their mom.”
It had been so long since anyone had complimented her that she blushed. “I’m lucky to have them. Andy enjoyed hearing about your life in New York City. Do you miss Manhattan when you aren’t there?”
“Sometimes, but there’s something about Montana that makes me feel more centered. I’m dreading working thirteen-hour days and not seeing this incredible scenery.”
Andrea had felt the same way after she moved here. “We used to live in Portland. Even though we lived near a river, it wasn’t as beautiful as Sapphire Bay.”
“Do you want to go back there to see your family and friends?”
“My family live in California, in a town called Los Gatos. I moved to Portland after I married Scotty and lost touch with everyone at home.” Portland was a beautiful city, but she’d felt incredibly isolated. Being hundreds of miles away from the people she loved was hard, and Scotty hadn’t helped make the transition easier. “I only made a few friends, and most of them were people Scotty knew. I think it was all part of my ex-husband’s plan. The less I had to do with the people I cared about, the more dependent I was on him.”
“Did you call the police when he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “Scotty was the chief executive of a large company. He knew a lot of influential people. If I’d said something, no one would have believed me.” Talking about her past wasn’t easy. It made her regret a lot of things, including raising her sons in a toxic home. “I volunteer at The Welcome Center to help people who have been in similar situations to me. Listening to their concerns and putting them in touch with people who can help is a good feeling.”
“You’ve come a long way from where you started.”
“I needed to. Despite everything that happened, the first year the boys and I were away from Portland was more difficult than I imagined. That’s one of the reasons I was admitted to the mental health unit in Polson. I didn’t know who I was anymore or if I could live without Scotty. Thankfully, after a lot of counseling, I learned how to rebuild my life and be a better mom.”
David looked at his cup of coffee. “I thought I was a mess after I left Cissy, but you’ve had a lot more to overcome.”
“One thing I’ve learned is not to compare my life to anyone else’s. Loss, grief, and regret are the same for everyone. It’s how you respond to it that matters.”
