Page 68 of Ticket to You

“Save yourself the trouble, El,” Adam says coolly. “Ophelia and I have already had this exact conversation.”

“I wish I could take a risk like that.” I look between the members of the Abrams family, their expressions ranging from confused to disappointed.

A week ago, the thought of going on a three-month-long trip and going into business with Adam would have sounded ludicrous. I would have had dozens of reasons not to go. But now, there’s only one major reason—and, sure, some minor worries, too.Money.

I look around the family room, again studying the perfectly hemmed curtains, the restored vintage armoire, and the original art with custom frames. This one room is probably as big as the home I grew up in and isfarnicer.

I doubt any member of the Abrams family knows what it’s like to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Adam and his siblings probably all got scholarships and aid from their parents. They won’t understand how, even with my “big girl” job, I’m still working tirelessly to pay off my student debt.

Financial security wasn’t a luxury I experienced in my childhood. The thought of letting go of that luxury feels like a betrayal to my grandparents—and to myself. We worked our asses off to get me into a good college with a strong internship and a steady job at a reputable company. How could I risk letting all of that work go to waste by joining Adam’s new publication?

Even being here, taking the weekend off to be with Adam’s family, is probably a stupid idea. I should be locked in my apartment, cocooned in a duvet, and ordering in for every meal until I have my notes and pictures organized for Monday’s meeting with Jane Sommerland. After all, my position is still on the chopping block. I should be terrified. But instead, there’s a nagging feeling in my stomach that’s hoping I'll be laid off. Because I can’t feel guilty or scared or anxious about risking my career if my it’s ripped from my hands by someone else.

My mind bounces between awe at the Abram’s family unit, anxiety about work, and stark comparisons between my life and Adam’s. These tumultuous thoughts spiral through my mind, interrupted by David standing from his cushion of the leather armchair.

He nods around the room. “If you’ll all excuse me.”

All the Abrams kids groan simultaneously, and I look between them, trying to make sense of their protesting.

David sees the confusion in my expression. “Just a little smoke break.”

A deep crease forms between Adam’s eyebrows. “Dad, I thought you quit.”

Without thinking, I stand too. “Can I join you?”

David holds his elbow out for me, like a true gentleman. I let him lead us out the back of the wraparound porch, directly outside the massive window in their family room—which I learned is simply another living room, just with slightly more casual furnishings. The sky outside is dark, dotted with faint pinpricks of stars, and a cool breeze carries the scent of freshly cut grass and blossoming flowerbeds.

Within seconds, David and I watch the siblings inside roar into laughter, muffled by the glass. Adam’s smile makes his entire face light up, and I stay quiet, savoring the sight of it.

After leaning back against the white railing, David pulls a box of cigarettes from his sports coat. “Want one on me?”

“I don’t smoke.”

David laughs and places the box back in his pocket. “Me either. Not for years.”

I raise an eyebrow and mirror his pose against the railing.

“I just like keeping a pack on me so I have an excuse to get outside without one of them following,” David explains, gesturing to the window. “I like to watch them all together, from a distance. That way, I can see the complete scene without getting in the way of it.”

The more I get to know David, the more similarities I see between him and Adam. Light pouring out from the window bounces off the silver flecks of David’s beard. I wonder if Adam will go gray. I wonder if I will be there to see it happen.

I click my tongue. “Here I am, impeding your alone time. I just wanted to thank you for being so welcoming. The thought of meeting Adam’s family was nerve-wracking, but you made me feel very at home.” I hope David can sense how much the word “home,” or lack thereof, in my usual vocabulary, means to me.

The wind carries my hair across my face, but I don’t bother wrangling it. I’m too busy looking through the window, watching Adam literally double over with laughter when one of his siblings says something particularly funny. For a while, neither David nor I speak. I don’t need to look over at him to know that he too must have a grin lifting the corners of his mouth.

When David speaks again, his voice is gentle. “I’m glad you’re here, Ophelia. Well, nothere, here.” He pats the railing with a chuckle. “After all, thisismy alone time.” David pauses to check my expression and winks to make sure I know he’s joking. “I’m glad you’re here with our family. It means a lot to me—to us—but especially to Adam, of course.”

As if on cue, Adam looks to his right, peering out the window to look for us. He doesn’t smile my way, and I assume he must only be met with the reflection of the lit and lively family room. Because lately, Adam rarely looks at me without smiling.

David taps his fingers on the railing as if he’s nervous. “I’ve spent a long time worrying about Adam. He seemed too comfortable being alone, losing himself in his work. And it seemed like no matter how many accomplishments he achieved or how many adventures he experienced, he was still looking for the next one. But now he seemshappyfor the first time in an agonizingly long time. And I believe I have you to thank for that.”

My chest swells.Do all dads talk like this?

For a few minutes, we fall into silence again, letting David’s words hang in the air. I’m surprised by how comfortable I am with him. There’s no need to fill the silence or search for a conversation starter or intriguing questions. I can just sit here, with him, both of us with our eyes adoringly on Adam.

David straightens and tilts his head at me. “I suppose it’s getting late.” He leads the way back inside, which is good because I probably would have gotten turned around in the big house if left to my own devices. When David claps a hand against Adam’s shoulder, Adam stands automatically, followed by the other siblings.

“Thanks for coming, Dad,” Adam says after being pulled into a hug from David.

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