“Yeah,” Parker agrees, but I can see the tension still riding her shoulders.
She’s agreed to go. But she’s not at peace with it.
An hour later, Evelyn walks Parker, Noah, and Liam back to their guest house to start packing. I give them a few minutes, then follow.
The scene I walk into makes something warm settle in my chest.
Noah and Liam are in their bedroom—a space that still smells like new paint and childhood, decorated with posters of dinosaurs and spaceships, toys scattered across the floor in the organized chaos only five-year-olds can create.
Evelyn is sitting on Noah’s bed, helping him pick out which stuffed animals to bring while rattling off an impressive list of activities.
“—and Auntie Maria has horses! Real horses that you can pet and maybe even ride if you’re very good. And there’s a beach with tide pools where you can find crabs and starfish. And the house has a game room with all sorts of fun things?—”
“Will Jimmy and Lottie be there the whole time?” Liam asks from where he’s attempting to stuff an entire drawer’s worth of clothes into a small backpack.
“The whole time!” Evelyn confirms. “You’ll all have so much fun together. And Auntie Sienna will be there, and your mom, and Auntie Maria, and me. It’ll be like a big family vacation.”
“But without the uncles,” Noah says quietly, clutching his favorite stuffed dinosaur—a battered T-Rex he’s had since he was two.
Evelyn glances up, sees me in the doorway, and smiles. “Well, maybe not the whole time. Uncle Cal, Uncle Jace, and Uncle Silas will come visit as soon as they can. Right, Uncle Cal?”
“Promise,” I say, stepping into the room. Both boys’ faces light up at seeing me.
Liam abandons his packing attempt and barrels into my legs, hugging tight. Noah is more reserved but moves closer, his small hand finding mine.
“Are you coming with us?” Liam asks hopefully.
“Not right away,” I say gently, crouching down to his level. “I have some work to do here first. But I’ll visit soon. And you’ll have your mom, and Grandma Evelyn, and Auntie Maria, and Auntie Sienna. Plus Jimmy and Lottie to play with every day. You won’t even miss us.”
“I’ll miss you,” Liam says seriously.
“I’ll miss you too, buddy.” I ruffle his hair. “But you’re going to have so much fun with your cousins, you won’t have time to miss me for long.”
“Jimmy said there’s gonna be boats,” Noah offers quietly. “And that Uncle Charlie promised we can go fishing.”
“That sounds amazing,” I say, squeezing his hand. “You’ll have to tell me all about it when I visit.”
Evelyn catches my eye, something knowing in her expression. She stands, smoothing down her skirt. “Why don’t you boys show me which toys you absolutely have to bring? Uncle Cal needs to talk to your mom for a minute.”
“Is Mom sad?” Noah asks perceptively.
“A little,” I admit. “She’s worried about you guys. Wants to make sure you’re safe.”
“We’ll be safe with Grandma,” Liam says confidently. “And Auntie Sienna. And Auntie Maria.”
“I know you will. But your mom still worries. That’s what moms do.”
Evelyn ushers the boys deeper into their room, giving me a small nod toward the hallway. I take the hint, heading toward Parker’s bedroom.
The door is open, and I can see her inside.
She’s packing, but it’s haphazard—throwing clothes into a suitcase without any organization, her movements jerky and frustrated. A shirt misses the suitcase entirely and lands on the floor. She stares at it for a moment, then just leaves it there.
“Parker?” I say quietly from the doorway.
She jumps slightly, turning to face me. Her eyes are red-rimmed but dry—she’s holding it together through sheer force of will.
“Hey,” she says, her voice rough. “I’m just—I’m trying to pack but I can’t remember what I need and I keep thinking I should be planning strategy instead of folding clothes and—” She stops, taking a shaky breath. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Cal.”
