Page 100 of Summer After Summer

“Right.”

“And it’s great for everyone, isn’t it? Sophie said Colin was finally going to leave his job.”

“Yes,” I say, trying to figure out why my breakfast suddenly tastes bitter.

Money didn’t used to be a sore spot with us. Wes had it when we met, and I was comfortable from my years on the tour. Or so I thought; once I retired and sat down with my accountant, I had a lot less money than I expected, and not enough to retire on. I had to do something, and the thought of becoming a tennis coach didn’t appeal to me—too many hours, a nomadic life.…

After some deliberation, I decided to dust off my degree and get a job teaching, a move Wes supported because he knew I didn’t want to be financially dependent on him. Then, Wes’s business failed during the pandemic, and my teacher’s salary wasn’t going to keep us in Manhattan. Money became a point of contention and conflict.

“Is that what you came here to talk about?”

“No. I wanted to see you.”

I push my plate away. I’ve finished half of it, and that’s enough camouflage. “Well, you have.”

“Hey, don’t be like that.”

“Like what?” I stand up. “I need a shower.”

“Of course.”

“I can’t just snap back to the way things were, Wes. Not that they were so great before that either.”

He reaches for my hand. “Hey, now, that’s not fair. We were having a tough time—everything with my business … But we’ve had a lot of good too, haven’t we?”

“There was good.”

He smiles encouragingly. “Of course there was. And there will be again. I was thinking, when all this is taken care of, why don’t we go somewhere for a long weekend? Before school starts up again. Maybe back to the Bahamas. Didn’t we love it there?”

It’s where we went on our honeymoon, and we did love it there. We were good there. Happy.

“It’s a beautiful place.”

“It will be our fresh start. And until then, I’m here for whatever you need. I’m going to stay for the rest of the summer and work from here. I’ve got a position at that V-Cap I was telling you about. Something more secure. They’re okay with me being mostly remote, and I’ll go into the city when I need to. So, if you need help in the house, just ask. I know it must be hard for you going through all this stuff. It’s getting you down, I’m sure.”

“It’s a lot.”

“Charlotte and Sophie should be helping.”

“They should.” I sigh. “They are, a bit.”

“I can talk to them.”

“No, it’s fine.” I pull away. “I’m going to go take a shower. Aunt Tracy, thank you for breakfast.”

She smiles at me. She’s stayed silent during out exchange, but I’m sure she has an opinion.

“Will you have dinner with me?” Wes asks.

“Not tonight, okay, Wes? Just give me time.”

“When, then?”

I sigh. Taking no for an answer has never been Wes’s strong suit. “How about Saturday?”

“Perfect, I’ll make a reservation.” He kisses me on the cheek, and I let him.

Then he goes to Aunt Tracy and does the same. She shoos him away, but I can tell she likes it despite her protests.