Page 109 of A Hard Fit

“Okay, simmer down, chief,” Liz told him. “Are you both all packed and cleaned up?”

“Do we have to go?” Bryson whined. “Can we stay another night? Pleeeease?”

“Nope. I’ve got work and you’ve got school. Go make sure you’ve cleaned everything up. Where do you want them to put their sheets?” she asked Finn.

“Oh, it’s fine, I can do it,” Finn said.

Liz smiled. “In the washing machine?”

“Sure.”

Liz waved the kids back toward the dining room. They groaned and trudged off.

“And make sure you don’t leave any socks behind!” she called after them. “Check under the mattresses!”

“Coffee?” Finn asked her.

She nodded. “Wonderful, thanks.”

The three adults retreated to the kitchen. Liz and Rory sat at the table while Finn collected mugs from the cupboard. “Cream and sugar?” Finn asked his sister.

“I drink it black now.”

“How was your weekend?” Rory said to Liz.

Her eyes sparkled. “It was amazing, actually. I had fuck all to do.”

Finn poured their coffees. “That’s perfect. You needed a break.”

“Agreed. And I can’t thank you enough for giving me one.”

“It was my pleasure.” He set their drinks on the table and sat with them. “So…how are things going at home…with Neil?”

Liz curled her hands around her mug, shoulders tensing. “It’s hard. Watching everything you built crumble around you, while the person who was supposed to—” She stopped and pressed her lips together. “Thanks for having them, Finn. They were so excited, and, clearly, they had an amazing time.” Her voice caught. “It really means a lot to me.”

Finn took a second to collect his words, held back as they were by the squeeze in his throat. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

Liz shook her head. “I get it. You didn’t have much reason to stick with me, did you?”

Finn blinked, while twenty years of heartache swirled the surface.

Liz studied his face. “Mom was…well, she was shitty, and I know I took her side a lot. But I…I felt like I had to, you know? She was such a mess. And you…you had it all together. I always admired that about you. Still do.”

Finn’s eyes were wet. “I didn’t feel like I did.”

She blinked a tear from her eye, sending it rolling down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you selfish. You were just trying to protect yourself.”

“I’m sorry too. I wish we hadn’t…”

“I know.”

Rory sniffled.

Finn and Liz looked at them and chuckled, wiping their eyes.

“You’ll have to come visit again soon,” Finn said. “Maybe you can join us at Thrill Island next time.”

Liz scooted forward in her chair to hug Finn. “That would be great. Thank you.”

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