Page 83 of The Amendment

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m so glad we came. I’ve missed this place.”

“Me too.” I licked a bit of chocolate from my fingertip. “We’re going to have to start coming back more often.”

“You mean it?” Her eyes lit up, sending a wave of joy crashing into my chest.

“Mhm. If you guys want to.”

“Always.”

“It’s a deal, then. Family trips to the beach way more often.” We flopped down onto the towels.

“Speaking of, when is Dad supposed to be coming?”

My joy evaporated. I hadn’t gotten over the sting of guilt every time they asked about him, but I had my answers and expressions prepared. I smiled. “He’ll be here tomorrow or the next day. Just as soon as he can get away from his new project. But hey, we’re having fun here, just the four of us, aren’t we?”

She nodded, picking up her book again. “Yeah. Maybe we should just move here.”

I let the thought wash over me. “You know, maybe we will.”

She stared at me as if I’d spoken a new language. “Seriously?”

“Would you like that?”

“Uh, yeah!”

“Alright, I’ll talk to your dad.”

Her jaw hung open. “Are you joking? Just like that?”

“Sure,” I said. “No promises, but I think it’s time for a new chapter, don’t you?”

“What’s changed about you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re so different lately.”

“Good different, I hope?”

“Very good.” She eyed her book, the latest in a long line of horror stories I’d picked up for her at the bookstore yesterday. “Unless you’ve been replaced by a cyborg.”

“Worse. An alien, and I’ve come to bring you back to my home planet.” I lunged for her, tickling her as she rolled away from me, falling into a fit of giggles.

“Mom, stop!” she cried, laughing so hard it brought tears to her eyes. There was sand all over our food when we were done, but I didn’t care. Nothing could ruin my mood.

Nothing could take the sunshine out of the trip.

Noticing the fun we were having, the boys jogged up the beach and toward us.

“Oh, nice!” Dylan said, spying our food. “I want one.”

Riley licked his lips. “Me too.”

“Get two more for us, would you?” I pulled cash from my pocket. “These are ruined.”

“Come with me?” Dylan asked, and Riley tagged along happily.

---