Page 17 of You Fall First

I pick up my water, take a sip.

“So, Mom.” Jo jumps in. “The bolognese is really good tonight.”

There’s a beat of silence, where I’d guess the adults in the room are gauging whether or not to shift the topic. Or if it’s too soon to make a joke.

Dex decides for us.

“You say that like Mom’s usual sauce is crap.”

“Stop!” Sayla snaps her napkin at him, but I let out a small chuckle. I’m honestly glad Jo and Dex effectively put an end to my sharing.

As it is, I got to stick to the long-story-short version of Paige’s situation. For better or worse, I find myself caring what these people think about my sister. I’ve told her a million times our parents would be proud of the job she’s done with Dutton. He’s a fantastic human, with an incredible imagination and the biggest heart.

Above all else, he is loved.

I think Paige is still trying to make up for ending up alone with a kid, though. As if she forced Jasper to abandon them. Since the day Dutton was born, all Paige cared about was making a home for him. She scraped by, but there was hardly enough money for food and diapers, let alone a college fund. I offered to send her something each month. Even a small amount to make her life a little easier, but she refused. No surprise.

We Stadlers are as stubborn as they come.

The first time she got behind on rent, she didn’t tell me. Her best friend Annie did. So I sent Annie money to “loan” to Paige. When Paige found out, she wouldn’t speak to either of us for a week, and I don’t blame her.

Deception’s not the way.

So I pivoted to another strategy. I admitted I’d been working so hard, I barely had time for a life outside of my office. I said I was lonely and I missed her. This is true, by the way. Not even an exaggeration.

That didn’t work either.

Finally, I told Paige that if she insisted on staying in Mayville, I’d show up on her doorstep one day and stick around. Not to intrude, just to be sure she and Dutton got the support they deserved. Emphasis on Dutton.

That’s what finally did it.

Paige is there now, moving out of their old place. Meanwhile, I’m here attempting to follow multiple dinner conversations about petting zoos and preschools.

“If Paige needs any recommendations,” Kendal says, “I’m available.”

“That’s amazing,” I say, and I mean it. But I’m also more than ready to get out of the spotlight.

“Speaking of schools,” Dex says, “I talked to Nina Bennett yesterday. About you, Jo.”

Her whole body goes rigid.

As much as I welcome a topic shift, Jo doesn’t seem happy about it.

“No thank you,” she says.

“Aw, come on.” Dex scoffs good-naturedly. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“Let me guess? You tried to get me a job at Stony Peak. And the answer is no.”

“Wow, Jo,” Landry squawks. “Have you looked a gift job in the mouth lately?”

“Nina Bennett is the principal over at the high school,” Maggie tells me. “In case you didn’t know.”

“And I didn’t try to get you a job, Jo.” Dex grins at her.

“Good,” she grunts.

“I already got you a job.”