Page 122 of For the Birds

The woman James had created.

“But you’re still seein’ the vet anyway?”

“No . . . well, I was. I knew nothing would come of my connection to the other man, and Levi’s so nice. I wanted to feel something more than I did. Last night I did something that wasn’t fair to Levi. This morning I’d made up my mind to end it with him, but Neely Kate accepted an invitation from him on my behalf.”

“Even though you don’t want to go out withhim?”

“I suppose this is her way of making sure I end it with the otherguy.”

“She doesn’t approve either?”

“No.” I considered listing all the reasons but decided the no was damning enough.

“Then maybe you should listen to both of us—and your own logic.”

They were both right, but why did my heart ache so much if being with James was wrong? “You’re not gonna ask me who heis?”

“I don’t need to know. Unless you want to tellme.”

“I don’t think you’d understand . . .” I said, which was more than I probably should have toldher.

“I’d probably understand more than you think,” she said quietly.

We were quiet for a moment before I asked, “Do you still loveMike?”

“There are all kinds of love, Rose.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “And which kind is the one you have forMike?”

“Not the fire and passion I had with Brody. What I have with Mike is more . . . comfortable.”

“That doesn’t sound fair to you, Vi.”

She released a tiny chuckle. “It’s more unfair to Mike. He loves me more than I love him. We both know it, and yet he still wantsme.”

“You could find someone else who gives you what Brody gaveyou.”

She patted our linked hands. “Says the woman who has had two men love her like there’s no tomorrow. You’re luckier than youknow.”

I didn’t answer. What could I say? The truth was I’d had three men love me, and I’d lost them all. That didn’t feel very lucky.

“I’m a realist now, Rose. And I’m grateful. Grateful that Mike still wants me despite all the pain I put him through. I have my family back, and I’ll never take it for granted again. And you have your own family too.” When I turned to look down at her, she said, “Your friends—Neely Kate, Bruce Wayne, Maeve. All of you are like a family.”

“But you’re my family too, Vi.”

“I know,” she said, sounding tired. “But I have Mike and the kids. You need to have other people too. I understand that now.” She paused. “Do you mind if I cut our visit short today? The kids are wearin’ me out, and I’m about to fall asleep.”

“Of course. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry. I miss you so much. I hate that my body is betrayin’ me.”

“When does Mike go back to work? I can come help with thekids.”

“You have a business to run—two of ’em.”

“The landscaping business is slowin’ down for summer. I’ll have slow spells until September. And Neely Kate’s learning even faster than I expected. She can fill in forme.”

“Mike’s goin’ back next week, but I’m hopin’ to have more energy bythen.”

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