Page 135 of One More Chapter

“I knew that would snap you out of it.”

One tilt of my head shows me that my mother is smirking at the dish in her hands.

“I was saying that I forgot about a booking at the townhouse over Valentine’s Day. I figured you two would be out by then. I actually need the place cleared out soon. Your house is livable. Hers isn’t. I was just wondering where she’ll go…”

Mom trails off, waiting for me to fill in the blanks. When I don’t, she huffs.

“Are you going to stop sulking anytime soon? Or at least tell mewhyyou’re moping around instead of fixing things?”

My sigh creates an updraft.

“You know, I always wondered what happened between the two of you in Florida. As your mom, I always want what’s best for you. But in the same sense, my opinions shouldn’t come first unless something is hurting you. I never wanted to overstep with Avery, even though I could tell that her not wanting a family was hurting. You had to make that decision on your own. But when it comes to Penny…”

Just the sound of her name makes my heart clench, for all the wrong I did, and all the ways I hurt her that I never got the chance to make up for.

“Margie and I used to joke back in the day that the two of you would end up together. I was never going to force it, but after Florida, I saw something change in you, Anthony. You got your spark back.”

“It’s her.”

I say it wistfully. Those two words have the power to calm the storm within me.

“As soon as I’m with her, the rest of the world melts away. I can do anything as long as we’re there to hold each other up. I don’t even have to worry about…”

“The bees in your head?” she smiles.

I nod.

“She makes them stop, Mom. She makes me want to be better. She makes me want to never mess up like that again. I know that if I do, she’ll help me right it. But I’m still scared.”

She strokes the side of my head and sighs.

“My sweet boy. If she loves you like I think she does, she’ll stand right by your side while you figure it out.”

“You know, she actually doesn’t like being called Penny?”

Mom grins, something in her eyes shining.

“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The truth in her statement weighs like a new planet joining the solar system, throwing my entire axis off kilter before righting it again in a new light. With my eyes open to the people in my corner—my parents, my brothers, and hopefully after this, Penelope—I have a shimmering kernel of confidence that she will be by my side as we figure things out together.

fifty-three

penelope

Usually,while my book is with Paula, I take a little bit of time for me to get away from the whole author business. I spend less time on socials, more time with people. I read books outside my genre, and get out to touch the grass. I don’t think I’ve ever worked as hard on one single book than I have on the project I picked up the second I got home from Debbie’s Knit-A-Thon.

I was a little worried that having Ant in the house would be a problem, but he has been so focused on finishing his house that I’m lucky if I even see him throughout the day. It’s for the best, though. I have cried more than once while penning these words, and I know he would’ve wanted to fix it.

This has been my most important “The End” to date. Staring at the words on the screen, I am filled with a boat of peace that holds everything else, keeping it afloat. All of my doubts, fears, reservations, and bitterness have faded into the background; they’re not quite gone, but they’re white noise to what I can feel lies ahead.

I shoot the email over to Paula with strict instructions to only edit for spelling and grammar. I need no notes. This one comes straight from my heart. I don’t need suggestions on the plot. The holes I left were completely intentional. I exhale down to my toesas soon as the email is sent, shut down my computer, and close the lid.

And immediately, my phone rings. I huff out a laugh and answer Debbie’s call.

“Hey, Mama Ellis.”

“Hey, sweetie. How are you?”

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