Ford licks his lips and thinks for a beat. “No. You may work with their timeline, but you strike when you need to because letting them go isn’t an option.” He flashes his eyes at me before giving me a wave with his two fingers on his way out the door.
I give him one nod, but mostly just stand there recalling his words, and I couldn’t agree more.
* * *
Walking into my living room,I find my mother reading a magazine with a country house on the cover. She glances up at me but seems to be more interested in the article. “Hey there, how was the game with April?”
I laugh nervously to myself and fall onto the sofa next to my mother. “We kind of… you know what, never mind.”
My mother tosses her magazine to the side and focuses her attention on me. “Disagreement or ending?”
“I hope disagreement,” I admit.
She loudly exhales. “Over what?”
“The truth.” My words cut the air in the room into two, if that were possible.
My mother doesn't blink as she stares with concern. I’m quick to reassure her. “Not that. Something else, totally unrelated.”
She curls her lips in, debating what to say. “Fixable?”
“I think so. I'm just giving her some space.” I look around for a sign of Hadley. “She’s in her playroom?”
“Yes, enjoying the life you have given her, living like a princess with that ballet barre in her playroom.” She touches my arm. “You know… eventually you will meet someone whom you want to share a life with, but to do that you need to be completely open with them… I get that.” I hear the sadness in her voice.
Because this situation affects her too, in a way that we rarely discuss. That’s not what the Crews family does. We do, we act, and move on.
“I’m going to tell April the truth,” I confirm.
My mother’s eyes water, and she squeezes my arm. “Then she must be the one.” The line of her mouth stretches, and she blinks a few times, as if she is gathering herself.
“To my surprise, yes,” I attempt to add humor to this situation.
“Surprises are what make our life path,” she reminds me. We both understand and give one another a confirming look. Her head indicates to the wall. “The photos of you and Hadley are beautiful, a wonderful image of father and daughter.”
“I think so too.”
She stands and resumes her unaffected demeanor. “Hadley only had a snack, so she will be hungry soon. This babysitter situation is taking a little longer than we all anticipated, but I’m sure we’ll continue to make it work. And I keep finding dog hair everywhere. Really, ask the cleaner to look into one of those pet-friendly sweeper things.”
“Ma.” I stand up as I attempt to stop her list. She looks at me with her full attention. “I’m allowed to have someone in my life, right?”
She touches my cheek as if I’m still a boy. “Of course, you are. Now just make sure you don’t lose her.”
“That’s the plan,” I promise.
25
APRIL
Spencer
I really want us to talk, but I can’t leave Hadley. I know you hate me right now, but she will only eat macaroni and cheese, but she says I don’t seem to make it the way you do…
That’s because you use the box stuff.
It’s simple.
It’s typical.
