Page 75 of The Love Dose
For months, our only interactions consisted of exchanging texted holiday greetings and a voice note from Chacha thanking her for the gift she gave him.
The plan was to move on, adjust to life without my close friend. Without the woman I love.
Standing here beside her, I know it was a futile exercise. I love her even more now than I did then.
Caroline chews her bottom lip. “How were the holidays?” she asks, keeping her voice down.
“Nice,” I say. “I introduced Chacha to my dad, Aunt Pearl, and my sister’s family.”
“I didn’t realize you went back to Sugarbush Falls.”
I nod, leaving out a few details. Like how my sister was awkward around Chacha. How only Aunt Pearl thought to add my son to the gift list, forcing me to find the sole open toy store in Lamoille County on Christmas eve. How I bought and wrapped a kid-size snowboard and signed Kim and my dad’s names.
“And yours?” I ask.
“Spent it with Sam and her kids. Evie is out west. She invited me but I . . . can’t spend that money right now.”
It’s obvious a lot has happened in Caroline’s life since we saw each other last. I don’t want to pry but I can’t help myself. And my worry meter is rising rapidly. “Things went badly with Bernard’s kids?”
“I decided not to fight them.”
Caroline must see the confusion on my face because she fills in the blanks. “Life is short and I choose not to spend it in litigation. I’m trying to find a job. So far, no luck. But it’s fine.”
It doesn’t sound fine.
She says, “I’m selling the apartment and moving out of New York.”
At first, I’m not sure I heard her correctly but given the look of determination on her face, I know I did.
It’s like a shot to the gut. It’s been months since we’ve seen each other but one thing kept it tolerable—knowing she lives only a few blocks away. Knowing there was always a chance we’d bump into each other. Maybe even find a way to stay in each other’s lives.
I swallow hard. “Where will you go?”
She looks down at her clasped hands. “That’s one of the reasons I’m here.”
She’s back to chewing on her lip. “Chacha needed a loving home and you stepped up to give it to him. There’s nothing more admirable than that.”
I’m not ready for the detour in our conversation but I’m getting the sense she’s been practicing her speech so I go along for the ride. I peer through the glass door. Amazingly, Chacha hasn’t moved a muscle. “I thought you disapproved.”
Caroline shakes her head. “More like, didn’t understand. I’ve had the benefit of numerous friends making it their business to reeducate me.” She pauses. “Before coming to your hearing, I was attending my own. I settled for the apartment and car, plus a modest stipend.”
I’m astonished and she sees it on my face. “You walked away from potential millions.”
“My priorities are shifting.”
“Oh?”
Her eyes pin mine. “The stipend isn’t much but combined with the proceeds from the apartment, it’s enough to both live on . . . and renovate an old but charming cottage.”
I’m processing her words, my heart palpitating through my chest. “Where is this cottage?”
“I think you know, Calvin.”
I’m dreamingandwide awake. Excitement rushes through me but I need to be sure I understand. “Are you saying you want to move to Sugarbush Falls?”
She nods.
“What about Chacha?” I can’t keep the hope out of my voice.
