“What?” she yelled, her eyes wide.
Oh, boy…
three
. . .
Miles
“That’s the last one,” I said triumphantly as I broke down the cardboard box for recycling. Looking around our new house in Coronado, I let out a dramatic sigh.
I would’ve loved living in downtown San Diego near my office, but I knew MJ wanted to live near the beach and Coronado was as close as I could get to both and still be in the area of the school I wanted her to attend and my office. It was considered an island but was really a peninsula about a half hour from San Diego.
“How many books do you own, dude?” Luke asked, dramatically dropping a big box of them at my feet.
After Katy officially moved out after the divorce, Mom came up to Crescent to help with MJ. A month later, on the night she left to go back home, I found a book she’d been reading. It was a true story that helped take my mind off the fact that my life had just imploded. After that, I was hooked, and books became my escape every night when MJ went to bed.
“I’m never moving again,” MJ muttered as she lay on the wooden floor in the living room. My mouth inched up into a lopsided smile as I took her in. She might have been exhausted from unboxing and setting up, but she had a smile on her face. I knew this was the right decision. I had my doubts as I navigated the move of my business from NorCal, but watching her giggle with my parents made it all worthwhile.
“Me either,” Luke said as he handed Sofia more dishes to load into thedishwasher. My attempt to convince her that they went in the box clean and were covered in bubble wrap had been met with a wrinkled nose.
“Pizza or burgers?” I yelled to everyone. A loud call for pizza echoed through the house. While placing our order with a local pizzeria that claimed its water was shipped from New York, I flopped onto our sofa. We had brought it from our last house, but as I looked around, it didn’t quite fit the new one. Our condo in Crescent City was older but still nice. But this house boasted coastal elegance, and my aging cloth sofa felt out of place.
The previous homeowners were from South America and, as the realtor said, loved color. MJ and I didn’t mind the bright colors, but once we got settled, I planned to find someone to repaint some of the rooms in a more subdued tone.
Sofia pressed the dishwasher buttons and joined me in the living room. Looking around at the bright yellow walls, she jokingly said, “You might need some help here, Miles.”
Chuckling, I answered, “Yeah, was just thinking about that.” I ran my hand through my hair, realizing I needed a haircut soon—another task to add to my growing to-do list. Mom had graciously brought over some groceries to get us started, so that was one less thing to worry about this week.
“It’s a beautiful house, though. Still don’t understand why you didn’t just accept Luke's offer to take over the cottage next to us,” she said, turning on the sofa to look at me.
“Youknow why, Sof. He wasn’t going to let me buy it. Didn’t even want me to pay rent.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You know how he is. Wants to take care of everyone.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m fine.Morethan fine. He can’t get past some of my harder financial years earlier on, especially after the divorce, but I keep threatening to send him my bank statement so he’ll chill out,” I grumbled. “He’sthe little brother, not me.”
Pushing my shoulder playfully, she answered, “He’s just so excited to have you back in town, is all. Having you both next door would’ve been fun.”
Nodding, I said, “I know, I know, but you guys will be splitting your time between here and Positano. This place is closer to Mom and Dad.”
“That’s right,” Mom said, joining us with a wad of packing tape in hand and a huge smile on her face as she looked at her granddaughter. “I can’t wait to spoil both my grandkids. Having you all so close…” she said, tearing up, “is an answer to prayer.”
“Aw, honey, we talked about this. No more tears,” Dad said as he wrapped her in his arms.
“I’m just glad I havesomany people to spoil me rotten. I’m glad I still have the rest of the summer to enjoy it,” MJ replied, still sprawled out on the floor like a starfish. Luke emerged from the bedroom and pretended to tackle her, causing her to squeal. Conversation flowed back and forth as I looked around, happy to see MJ so content.
“Daddy, does Mom know our new address?”
The simple question triggered a silent but powerful reaction in my body. MJ and I often talked about Katy, especially after her phone or video calls. I had long since given up on urging Katy to call more than she did. But there was always collateral damage afterward.
Mom and Luke met my eyes with the same expression they always had when her name was brought up in their company. A mixture of pity and anger.
“She does, kiddo. I let her know before we left. She said she’d call soon. Probably waiting until we settle in.”
That was my primary job when it came to my ex-wife: making excuses so MJ didn’t keep feeling disappointment when her mother’s calls were few and far between. Also, my role was to deflect. However, the fatigue from the move and everything at work drained my energy. My eyes begged my mother for help, and she quickly understood.
“Hey, Miles, what are you thinking about for décor? You didn’t bring much.” Mom sat in the chair that had been with me since college. It may have seen better days. “Do you have some ideas?”
