Page 38 of All of Me

Vince blinks, caught off guard. “Uh, no. But I do have a brother. He’s married.” He pauses, his mouth twitching into something closer to a real smile. “Other than that, I have a six-year-old at home.” I don’t miss that he doesn’t mention his girlfriend Zoe in this conversation.What the hell?

Brooke raises an eyebrow, looking far too intrigued. “A dad? Even better.”

Owen walks in before she can say anything else. He glances at Brooke, then at Vince, and shakes his head. “Brooke, can you not scare off my cousin?”

She holds up her hands, all innocence. “Just making conversation.”

“Right,” Owen mutters, before turning to Vince. “Hey. Everything okay?”

Vince’s smile drops, replaced by a flicker of hesitation. “Can we talk?”

“Yeah,” Owen says, gesturing toward the living room. “Let’s step in here.” He closes the door behind them.

I tell myself not to eavesdrop, but it’s impossible not to catch fragments of their conversation. Zoe’s name comes up, followed by words like “fight” and “worse than usual.” Then, finally, Vince’s voice, firmer than before: “We’re done.”

The finality in his tone makes something twist in my chest. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for him, especially with his daughter Ainsley in the picture. My arms tighten instinctively around Ruby, her warmth grounding me as she sleeps peacefully in the wrap.

Vince reappears and his shoulders seem lighter, though his expression is still subdued. He nods a goodbye to me, offers a polite “Nice meeting you” to Brooke and Taylor, and slips out the door.

The silence lingers for about three seconds before Brooke speaks up.

“So, Zoe’s out of the picture, huh?” she says, reaching for another cookie.

“Sounds like it,” I say, adjusting Ruby as she stirs.

Taylor nods. “Good for him. He seems like a good guy. He deserves someone who actually appreciates him. From what you’ve told me, Zoe sounds like a nightmare.”

Brooke smirks, her tone playful but her eyes thoughtful. “Maybe someone like me?”

I nearly choke. “Brooke!”

“What?” Brooke asks, her tone innocent, though the mischievous glint in her eye gives her away.

Taylor rolls her eyes. “You’d eat him alive.”

Brooke gasps, clutching her chest as if Taylor’s words physically wounded her. “Excuse me, but I’ll have you know I’m an amazing girlfriend. Attentive. Thoughtful. Great at picking restaurants. And I bake.” She gestures grandly to the chaos of the kitchen.

I can’t help but laugh, the corners of my mouth tugging upward despite myself. Brooke, steady, sensible Brooke, is usually the calm one in the room. I’m surprised to see this side of her—flirty, teasing, a little reckless. It’s unsettling. Is something going on with her? The thought flits through my mind, but I push it aside. This isn’t the moment to ask.

Instead, I let my gaze drift around the room. The kids are sprawled on the floor, laughing and playing with cookie cutters as though the world doesn’t extend beyond this kitchen. The counter is a war zone of sprinkles, frosting, and half-decorated cookies. It’s the kind of mess that would normally make me cringe, but right now it feels like a snapshot of my life in motion.

The weight of tomorrow—the thought of Ruby going to Adam’s for the first time—still presses on my chest, heavy and unrelenting. But this moment? This is good. This is what I’ll hold onto when everything feels too big, too overwhelming. A house full of laughter, the smell of cookies in the air, and the steady, comforting rhythm of people who care.

sixteen

LEARNING TO BREATHE - SWITCHFOOT

OWEN - DECEMBER 13, 2013

Istep into the living room with Vince, shutting the door behind us. He’s only been here a handful of times and has never shown up unannounced. It’s obvious he needs someone to lean on in this moment. He looks around the room, eyes skimming over the family photos and the mismatched furniture Callie and I have pieced together. His shoulders drop and he sinks into the beige recliner like it’s the first time he’s sat down all day.

I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms. “So, what’s going on?”

Vince rubs his hands over his face and breathes out a sigh. “It’s over.”

That’s all he says, those two heavy words.

“With Zoe?” I ask, though it’s obvious.

---