“Sweetie, no. What happened with Pete was different. He was running from his guilt and shame. You know that.”
“But you still resented him for leaving.”
“I wasangrywith him for leaving, and for hurting my best friend,” she retorts. “When he divorced Carla, it made me choose sides, and of course I chose my brother. But then he up and moved away, so I ended up losing both of them. It hurt, and it—well, yes. I suppose it did make me resent him a little, but he could have called me. We would have worked it out.”
“You could have called him too.”
She sighs. “I know. Believe me, I’d do anything to have those years back now. Talking to him today… Anyway, I’m just glad we have another chance. Do you think you’ll move there to be closer to him and Jordan?”
The change in topics is so abrupt it makes my head spin. “Sorry, what?”
“San Diego. If you and Jordan are serious, will you give up your traveling career and move there? Or will he go on the road with you? You can’t really be long distance forever, can you?”
“It’s... um... Well, like I said, we’re figuring it out.”
“I see. You haven’t had that conversation yet.”
No. We haven’t. Not really.“We’re figuring it out,” I say again.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet him.”
I grimace when I imagine Jordan meeting my parents and five siblings for the first time. I might need to wrap him in bubble wrap just to protect him from the onslaught of questions.
I love them. I do. But sometimes, Ireallydon’t miss them.
Glancing at the clock again, I curse. Shit. I really need to go.
Dropping the bowl in the trash on the way by, I rush toward the elevators. “I’m glad Pete called you. He looks good, by the way. Healthy and everything. And he’s happy.”
Mom’s voice drops. “Yeah, he sounded happy.”
“I met his boyfriend. Did he tell you?”
“No, he didn’t. Is he nice?”
“They’re perfect together. In every way. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, since it’ll make her think of Carla again, but it’s the truth, and Mom deserves to know that Pete hadn’t made a rash decision for nothing. He followed his heart when it was the right thing for him.
Which makes me think of Jordan. I haven’t even considered giving up the traveling nurse position until Mom mentioned it.Should I? I’ve already applied for the temporary one, but should I just skip that and move there?
No. Not yet. We’re still too new. I need to give it time to see how this plays out long term. Besides, what if Jordan wants to travel again after he tries another medication? He might want this life, and he already has a motorhome. We could travel together.
It’s almost a dream come true.
But his family…
Can he really leave Declan and Piper?
“Can I call you later if I promise to text you a picture of Jordan and I?”
“You better send one!”
I laugh. “I’ll send it now. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.”
My steps are light as I get on the elevator. Maybe Pete spilling the beans about my relationship wasn’t such a bad thing. It ripped the bandage off and helped me dive right into what was important. Usually, I have to tiptoe around things before getting to the point.
After sending Mom my favorite picture of Jordan and I, I shoot a quick message to Jordan.
