Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Collie said, “I figured,” as he sat down right beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.
She hadn’t mentioned Brad all through dinner, but now she said, “He’s moving to Seattle with his girlfriend. He was planning to break up with me right after the baby was born, so they went there this weekend to look for apartments.”
Collie growled, “He’s trash, and you’re better off without him.”
A tear tumbled down her cheek. “It’s one thing to cheat on me, but he’s moving almost seven hours away from his kids. I don’t even know what to tell them, but I’ll need to think of something soon. They’ll have questions when my mother-in-law brings them home and he’s not here.”
She started sobbing—quietly, so she wouldn’t wake the baby—and Collie held her securely. I felt so bad for her.
After a while, Collie glanced at me and whispered, “It’s good we brought the cat. Now we just need junk food, a fuzzy blanket, and a third T-shirt.”
I had no idea what he meant at first, but then I got it. Our little broken hearts club had gained a new member.
17
Miller
After a week at Jeannie’s house, our lives had settled into a pattern. Collie and I did all the cooking and cleaning, and we tried to help out as much as we could with the three older kids, so Jeannie could focus on the baby, and so she could rest whenever possible.
Every day, I worked for a few hours while Scotty and Allie were in school, and again in the evening after they went to bed. In between, I hung out with the kids and Collie. Not that he needed my help looking after them. He was an amazing uncle, kind, fun, and infinitely patient. But the kids were pretty great, and I really liked spending time with them.
The little boy kept bringing me books and asking me to read to him. He was sweet and shy, and incredibly smart. His sister Allie was all of those things too, and a passionate artist.
She reminded me of myself as a kid, because she was quiet and introspective and constantly drawing. She thought I had the greatest job ever and was very curious about it. I started teaching her how to use the digital tablet, and we made time every afternoon to draw together.
Then there was the toddler, who was pure chaos. Her grandmother picked her up and spent time with her every weekday, while her siblings were in school. I’d been glad to see that Jeannie’s in-laws remained as supportive as they’d always been. Their son might have all but abandoned his family, but they were very much Team Jeannie.
On Saturday after lunch, I paused at the kitchen sink and looked out the window. Collie had spread out an old, faded quilt in the backyard, and he was surrounded by all three kids, the cat, a bunch of children’s books, and some art supplies. The toddler had fallen asleep with her head on Collie’s ankle, and the two older kids and Collie were engrossed in some sort of art project.
I was overcome with love as I watched him. He was so sweet, and beautiful, and everything good in the world.
Could we have a future like this if we both stayed here in his hometown? It was easy to imagine it, especially after this last week. I could see us in a house a lot like this, with a couple of kids of our own. I’d have to find a different job, and probably a different career, because I couldn’t telecommute indefinitely. But maybe we could be happy here…
Jeannie came into the kitchen and joined me at the sink. Her short hair was damp and spiky from a shower, and she said, as she placed a baby monitor on the counter, “I finally got Colleen down for a nap. It took forever.”
“You should take one, too.”
“I want to spend some time with my kids. I’m worried about them. I feel like they haven’t really processed the news that their father and I are getting a divorce, and that he moved away. When I told them, they just kind of went, ‘oh,’ and carried on like nothing had happened.”
“They’re probably processing it in their own way, and I’m sure they’re going to be alright. Kids are resilient.”
“I hope so.”
We both watched the little group out in the yard. After a moment, I told her, “I found myself wondering if Collie and I could have a future here.”
“No way. You need to take him back to San Francisco.” She turned to me and said, “I know it must seem pretty idyllic since you’ve barely left the house this past week, but you don’t know what it was like for Collie when he lived here. He was constantly singled out, teased, and bullied, even as an adult. It was toxic. Not that everyone who lives here is like that, obviously, but it happened way too often. He kept his head up and kept being his amazing self, but it broke my heart watching him endure that crap.”