Page 21 of Why Not Now?

I shake my head. My dad called while he and I were putting up the decorations at Blue Vista yesterday. The original four Blue Vista crew all know what it’s like to deal with a shitty parent or two, to varying degrees of shittiness. It’s one of the things that drew us together.

“Whatever you need,” he says. “I got your back.”

“No matter what,” I respond with the end of the Blue Vista Crew motto.

We clasp hands and he gives me a nod. “See you Wednesday.”

Then I’m alone with Ava again.

We stand awkwardly in my front entryway. She has her shoes and jacket on, but hesitates before leaving.

“Your friends are pretty great, Derek.”

I smile. “They are. And I’m glad you think so because I texted them after I work today, asking for advice on Christmasey things to do. Lis made a suggestion and insisted she come when I take you. Adalie also said she might come to something else.”

“Not Vic?” she asks with a smile.

“There’s two things Vic would be interested in, but one doesn’t work with her schedule.”

“What about the second?”

I shake my head. It had been the first thing I thought of taking her to when I came up with this crazy idea. An idea I still don’t quite understand what the endgame is supposed to be.

“So I guess I’ll see you Friday?” Ava asks.

“Yeah. I’ll pick you up at your place. Around six?”

She nods. “We won’t be out too late? I have to work the next morning.”

“So do I. I won’t keep you out.” To be honest, seeing her schedule, I want to make sure she’s getting enough sleep. How she’s managed to keep up with working that much, I don’t understand. The Ava I knew used to love to go out, play, have fun. But this Ava has been a parent for a long time, and I can see the stress it’s causing her.

I want to take her in my arms and tell her everything will be all right. Then I remember the way she’d reacted before when I’d tried to be there for her, sending me away because she didn’t need me. She didn’t need anyone.

I give her my best, most practiced smile. The one that says everything is fine. Nothing is wrong. I open my front door. “I’ll see you Friday.”

“Good night, Derek. Thanks for inviting me over. I had a good time.”

She smiles back at me, and I think it’s just as practiced as my own. Just as much of a lie.

Chapter 7

Ava

“Okay.Spill.”

I glance up from the table I’ve been absent-mindedly wiping to see Bethany watching me with her hands on her hips. In addition to working for Cindy, we work together at Daylight Grill, a family restaurant in my neighbourhood. It’s busier in the mornings and afternoons than it is in the evenings, and right now it’s almost closing time.

“What?”

She glances around the restaurant, but it’s empty, so she slides into the booth. “You’ve been completely distracted and mopey all night yesterday and tonight. What gives?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She gives me a skeptical look and waits me out. Bethany and I became friends when she started at Daylight. We’d quickly bonded over a shared love of photography so, when Cindy hired her, she helped get me a job with her, too.

I check the time and go to the front door, turning the lock. As I return to Bethany, I type a quick text to Lacey, saying goodnight like I always do at 9pm if I’m at work, hitting send as I sit across from Bethany.

“Remember how Cindy asked one of us to go back to Blue Vista on Monday for some promo shots of their Christmas decorations?”

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