“Nothing about what happened to you or Beth was fair,” he says. “But what’s happening right now—what’s happening tous—isn’t fair either.”
He leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek, soft and lingering. The intimate moment we shared just seconds ago now broken and quickly slipping away.
“I love you, Elle,” he says, offering a smile that never quite reaches his eyes. “I have to go pick up Hannah. Thank you for watching her. I'm sure she had a lot of fun.”
And with that, he turns and walks out the door.
***
“Hi, you two!” I say, opening the door to let Beth and Hannah in.
I hug my sister, then scoop Hannah into my arms and kiss her cheek. “Are you ready for Christmas?”
“Well,” Beth says, “Hannah and I were hoping you’d take us shopping today, so we can pick out something for Cal.”
“Of course,” I say. “But… did Cal say it was okay?”
“I asked him this morning before he left. He said it was fine.”
“Before he left?” I ask, trying to keep the curiosity out of my voice.
“He went to New York,” Beth replies. “To meet with some guy about building pieces for his gallery. Something like that.”
"I haven't seen him in so long, I had no idea," I say quietly. "I’ve seen a ton of supplies being dropped off at his shop. Sounds like business is really picking up.”
“Elle.” The way Beth says my name sends a ripple of dread through me.
“What is it?”
She hesitates. “Cal and Hannah… they’re moving to New York next year.”
“What?” The word catches in my throat. I cough, then try again. “What did you just say?”
“It's not official," she says. "But I overheard him talking to Mom and Dad last week."
I glance at Hannah, who’s nodding like this isn’t news to her.
“Sweetie,” I begin gently, “has your daddy talked to you about moving?”
“Yep!” she chirps. “I’m gonna go to a new school in Men-hah-ten.”
“A new school in Manhattan,” I repeat, as I slowly set her back down.
“Elle, you’re turning pale,” Beth says, concern in her eyes.
“I’m okay,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Just… surprised, that’s all.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty big news,” Beth says.
“What about the house?”
“Nate’s moving in," Beth says. "Cal said he doesn’t want to sell it.”
"I can't believe he's leaving," I murmur, feeling like he's leavingme.
***
After hours of shopping, lunch at one of Beth’s favorite restaurants, and banana splits from Hannah’s favorite ice cream parlor, we finally return to the house—exhausted. It doesn’t take long before Hannah drifts off to sleep on the couch, leaving Beth and me to finish our conversation about the move to New York.
