Page 85 of Sycamore Circle

“Like we don’t? Besides, you and I both know that you don’t always get a choice about living drama-free. Sometimes it just happens.”

“You’re right about that.” Joy had never been so happy to pull into the driveway. “Okay, let’s get you organized for tomorrow, okay?”

“Yep.”

Though Chloe was older now and could easily do everything on her own, she seemed to like their evening routine as much as Joy did. First came Chloe handing over her dirty clothes from both school and dance class. Then, if she had dance the next day, came repacking her bag with fresh tights, leotards, snacks, and sweats.

Then, while Chloe took a hot shower or bath—depending on the state of her feet—Joy made her daughter’s lunch, set up the coffee maker, and looked at her own schedule for the next day. When Chloe came out in pajamas or sweats, Joy sat with her while Chloe ate a snack. The whole thing only took about an hour.

They’d started the routine soon after Tony had left, when Joy had been feeling betrayed and Chloe had been confused. The predictable schedule had served two purposes. First, it had given them both something to do besides compare their lives to how things used to be. It had also helped fill up the evening so neither of them had too much time to mope.

Now, though, it was a good opportunity for them to connect. Joy was thankful for it too. One day Chloe would be driving. When that happened, Joy knew their time together would be even less.

Joy had just sat down with a cup of hot peppermint tea when Chloe looked up from her bowl of cereal. “Hey, Mom?”

“Yes?”

“How often do you see Bo?”

“It depends. I saw him today when I got done tutoring over at Sacred Grounds. We talked for a while then both went to do our own things. He might stop by later, if it’s not too late. If he does, he probably won’t stay long.”

“When else do you see him?”

“Not as much as you think. I was honest when I said that he and I are just starting to see each other.”

“You know, you can go on dates and stuff. You don’t have to stay home every night.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “So anything else?”

“No.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Chloe pushed her bowl to one side. “I guess I’m just trying to figure out how serious you two are. Dad said that he didn’t think that Bo was the kind of man you should be seeing.”

It took a second, but Joy forced her expression to remain noncommittal. “When did he tell you that?”

“On Saturday night. He asked me if Bo had been over much.”

“That isn’t any of his business.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you mad at me? Was I not supposed to say anything?”

“Honey, you can talk to him about anything you want. Your father is the one who shouldn’t be asking you questions about my private life. He knows better.”

“Oh. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter anyway.”

“I’m not following you. What doesn’t matter?”

“Dad said you’d probably only ever want to be married to him.”

Joy sputtered. “To your dad?”

“Yeah. Do you think that’s true?”

“I hope not. I don’t know what the future holds. We’ll have to see what happens. But just between you and me, I kind of hope that isn’t the case. Dad found Sandy, right?”

Some of the light left her eyes. “Right. Of course, she was awful so it’s good they broke up.”

---