Page 19

Drew

Sittingatthebreakfast table, just me and Penny, feels strange. Like when you take down all the Christmas decorations once the holiday is over and the house feels bare.

Emily has almost always been here to eat with us, but this morning she left early, excited to do some shopping for her new place. It's nice to see her making friends and becoming her own person. It’s going to be difficult for us when Emily moves out this week, but she’s excited to move in with her two closest friends. And I’m happy for her.

But she’s lived with me for so long, it’s difficult to think about her leaving. My eyeballs have been reacting all week like someone is cutting onions. Since losing my parents, it’s just been the two of us. We confided in each other and grew so close during the last ten years. Part of me feels more like her father than her brother. This must be what a parent experiences when their first child is moving out.

And then there’s Penny, who will miss Emily terribly. She's had her here nearly every day of her life. Seeing her just once or twice a week will be an adjustment for everyone.

“Daddy, where’s Aunt Em?” Penny asks, interrupting my thoughts, then taking another bite of her scrambled eggs.

I look up from adding butter and jam to my toast to Penny’s sweet face. “It’s quiet this morning, huh?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Yeah.”

“Aunt Em is shopping and running errands. You'll have to settle for just me today, I’m afraid.”

She releases a heavy sigh. “Alright,” Penny says, finishing her last bite of eggs.

“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about actually. You know how Aunt Em has always stayed with us?”

She takes a sip of her orange juice. “Yeah?”

“Well, she has a new job, so she’ll be moving in with a few of her friends and starting her own adventure,” I say in the most upbeat tone I can manage.

She shrugs. “I know. She told me.”

“She did?” I keep my facial expression neutral, not sure whether I feel relieved or annoyed that Emily talked to her about this without me.

“Yeah, but she said she’ll still see me every week! And bring me chocolate chip cookies.” She beams.

I laugh. “Okay, well I’m happy you’re alright with the change.”

“And Miss Sophie is going to stay with me when you’re at work, right? I really like her.”

I smile at her. “Yep, that’s right. I want you to be a good girl for her, okay?”

She gives me a side-eye. “I always am, Dad.”

After breakfast, Penny and I go out to the garage and she rides her bike in the large driveway while I work out in the garage gym. It’s nothing fancy, just a squat rack, pull-up bar, and weight bench. Penny and I love to be outside, especially when it doesn’t feel like an oven.

I’m about to finish up my workout regimen when I hear my phone ping with a text. Picking up the phone, I glance at the screen and see a text from Mariah. I guess she’s not one to do the whole wait forty-eight hours before any contact rule.

Mariah:Hey Drew! I really enjoyed last night. When are you free again? I have a date idea …

I smile, appreciating her forwardness, and type out a response.

Drew: Hey! I had a great time, too. I’m on call this weekend, but free next weekend. What do you have in mind?

Mariah:How about Friday night at seven? It’s a surprise.

Tilting my head to the side, I read her text again. I can’t remember the last time a woman asked me out and planned the date herself. Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s never happened.

Drew: Sounds like a plan, looking forward to it.

And just like that I have a second date. I rest my hands on my hips and take in my reflection in the mirrored wall I installed behind the squat rack. I puff out my chest and do my best Superman pose.

“What are you doing?” Penny asks from behind me.