I scoff. “You know damn well I am turning forty-eight today. What is it with you two and my age? Time comes for everyone.”
They laugh.
“I’ll meet you guys there?” Ethan asks.
I nod and pull him in for one more hug. “Thanks for coming today.”
He smiles, squeezes my shoulder, and heads toward the garage.
“I can’t wait to get my license next month,” Alicia says with a sigh as we get into the car.
“I’ll keep picking you up whenever we go out together,” I reply, settling in behind the wheel.
She huffs.
Her hand brushes mine just before I start the engine. I turn to her, and she’s watching me with a smile.
“Dad... are you happy?”
I don’t hesitate. “Much more than I ever thought I could be again. I have you and Ethan.”
I lean over and kiss her forehead.
As I pull away from the curb, turn onto the next street, and merge into traffic, she speaks again. “You know... if you ever want a new girlfriend, I swear I won’t do the jealous-daughter thing. I was cool with Hannah. Just, please, don’t date someone almost my age. Like Conrad’s dad. That’s just... gross.”
She shudders, her face twisting in disgust.
I laugh as I take a left turn. “You’ll never have to worry about that.”
Hannah was a nice woman, but things didn’t work out. The kids liked her and handled the breakup fine. What I don’t mention to Alicia is that I’ve been seeing someone new for two months now. It’s casual, and I’m not sure where it’s going, so for now, I’m not introducing her to them.
“But seriously, Dad,” she says, “I wouldn’t mind.”
The light turns red. I glance at her and lift a hand to her cheek.
“I love you, sweetheart. And thank you for wanting to take care of me.”
She smiles. When the light turns green, I pull back into traffic.
I don’t know what the future holds. But here, in this moment, I’ve learned to be content with what I rebuilt. And to never take for granted the people I love most.
Never again.
Houston, Texas
Ellen
I finish smoothing my low bun, swipe on my nude lipstick, and straighten up to study my reflection in the mirror. The pale pink suit fits beautifully, hugging my figure in all the right places. I’d even go so far as to say it makes me look a few years younger.
Smiling to myself, I grab my purse and step out of my bedroom. I walk down the hallway to the last room and find the nurse wiping his mouth as she stands, holding the tray with what’s left of his afternoon snack.
As soon as she sees me, she says, “He didn’t eat much today, Mrs. Sterling, but I’ll make sure they prepare something more nutritious for dinner that still fits his diet.”
I nod, thank her, and walk into his room.
I take a seat in the armchair across from him, my posture perfectly straight as his eyes barely meet mine.
“Miss me, Philip?” I ask evenly. “Sorry I’ve been away the past few days. But you know how it is—I had other priorities. And I know Evelyn, Carla, and Jackson have been taking good care of you,” I add, referring to his two nurses and the private chef.
