“You can if you want to.” Oakley sat down and spooned up a big bite of fish and rice. “I’m starved.”
“I’m hungry too.” Hayden sighed and sat down at the table.
“It could be forever,” Harper said through a mouthful of food.
They were just scraping the bottoms of their bowls when Trent came out of his office. He was in a good mood that day: shoulders back and a big grin for his family. Oakley returned her husband’s smile.
The man was even more handsome now than he’d been when they met. It had been a whirlwind romance, with a honeymoon phase that went on for years; they traveled all seven continents together before they finally settled down in Waimea. Their relationship had changed in recent years, with parenthood eclipsing everything else, but Oakley still felt proud to have such a gorgeous adventurer by her side.
“There’s my girls!” He ruffled Harper’s hair and gave Hayden a fist bump across the table. “How’s your day going?”
“Mom says I don’t have to do piano anymore,” Harper announced.
“Dude.” Hayden rolled her eyes. “He hasn’t even sat down yet.”
Trent took a seat and raised his eyebrows at Oakley.
“I said that we could talk about it,” she clarified.
“Music lessons are important,” he said, digging a spoon into his poke bowl. “Learning piano isn’t just about the music. It’s about brain development, coordination, memory–”
Harper tipped her head back and groaned in frustration.
“You’re going to have to come up with a more articulate argument than that one, kiddo.”
“Iknowall that stuff already! Mrs. Chen just makes me do the same things over and over and over again!”
“Mrs. Chen is the best teacher in town,” Trent said calmly. “If she’s asking you to do the same exercises, it’s because you still need to improve in those areas.”
“Mom!” Harper looked at her with pleading eyes.
“They’re overbooked, Trent. Something’s gotta give.”
“So drop something,” he said with a shrug.
“I want to drop piano!” Harper insisted.
“Indoor voice, kiddo.”
“I want to drop piano,” she hissed.
“Do you really need to do karateandcapoeiraandhula?” he asked between bites. “Wouldn’t it makes sense to drop one of those?”
“But Ilikeall of those!”
“If you really need to let go of something, take a break from one of those. I know they’re fun, but music theory is important. One day you’ll thank us for encouraging you to see it through.”
“Ilike piano,” Hayden said, flipping her hair over one shoulder.
Harper glared at her and slammed a fist down on the table.
“Take it easy,” Trent said. “We’re just having a calm discussion. There’s no need to get upset.”
“You can’tmakeme do piano,” she insisted. “I’ll just sit there and I won’t even move my hands. I’ll do a strike!”
Trent glanced at his watch and passed a hand over his eyes, looking suddenly tired. He bolted down the rest of his lunch, gulped his tea, and stood.
“Where are you going?” Hayden asked.
