Page 33 of One Last Time
“Of course, I miss you. Are you having fun withDaddy?”
Aubrey lets out a heavy sigh, and I picture her little face. “Iguess.”
“Youguess?”
“Daddy is working, and Finn is beingmean.”
“I’m sorry, Aub. Maybe you can ask Daddy to do something fun?” I suggest. Scott has never had the kids on his own. I was always there, handling everything and keeping thementertained.
She goes silent for a second. “Iguess.”
“Is something wrong,honey?”
I hate hearing her like this. She’s my bubbly, happy kid. Aubrey is always the one who brings people’s spirits up. Her heart is huge, and her smile iscontagious.
“No, I miss you. Daddy doesn’t tuck me in like you do, and he doesn’tcook.”
I do my best to explain that he and I are different and comfort her at the same time. This is the part of divorce I wanted to avoid. Having my children struggle is all I worry about. They don’t deserve this, but it’s unavoidable. That doesn’t mean I still don’t hateit.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I remindher.
“I’m going to hug you!” Her sweet little voiceproclaims.
“You bet youwill!”
We hang up, and I release a heavysigh.
“Everything okay?” Noahasks.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Momlife.”
“Not that I have a clue what that means, but it sounds like your kid loves you verymuch.”
Still smiling, I walk over to the table to grab their picture. “These are my babies.” Noah grips the photo frame, and I stand beside him. “That’s Finn, he’s ten, and that’s Aubrey, she turned six a month ago. This is the first time they’ve been with their father alone for the night, which sounds crazy, but they’ve always been with me or myparents.”
Noah’s eyes fill with a sadness that mirrors my voice. I don’t think I ever allowed myself a chance to think about it until now. I have no idea what they’ll eat, do, think about, dream of. My parents would come to our house if we wanted to go out, and Scott never wanted to go away just the two of us so they’ve only spent a night at my parents, but I went to get them before they woke up. I’ve been there each morning, and now I’ll have every other weekend withoutthem.
His hand touches my cheek, and I realize a tear fell. “You’re not crazy to miss your kids,Kristin.”
“I’m sorry. I’m the most unprofessional reporter ever.” I wipe the other side of my face, take the photo, and put itback.
“You’re not.” He smiles, but I don’t believehim.
“You’relying.”
“Maybe alittle.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Okay, interview and no alcohol or crying,deal?”
Noah extends his hand. “Deal.”
Chapter Nine
Noah
“So, what’s good around here?”I ask as we climb into the car. I meant to ask Eli, but he was too busy lecturing me on why this dinner shouldn’t happen. Then Heather chimedin.
I assured them both this was mainly a business dinner, which was partially true. Heather’s narrowed eyes told me she knew that as well. Kristin needs her interview, we clearly didn’t do that last night, and time is expiring on herdeadline.
