Page 92 of Ella Gets the D
“That’s fine with me, sweetie,” I say with a frown. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He fiddles with his napkin and looks up with a shy smile ghosting his lips. “This is home. I like DC.”
I gulp hard to keep my tears in check. If I had a wig on, I would’ve shaken it off by now with all this nodding. “Okay. We’ll make it a group event.”
“With our own picnic,” Haile adds.
“Yes.” I snort. “We’ll pick a place big enough for everyone to have fun.”
I slip out the kitchen to the powder room while Jackson and Haile recapBeethovenandHomeward Bound, two movies that reignited pleas for a dog I’ve tried to avoid at all costs.
The brass lock clicks into place, and I turn on the exhaust so the imprisoned sob in my chest can break free. My back slides down the charcoal wall to tiled flooring where I tuck my head and let every tear fall. I cry for the times I thought my children would resent me for uprooting our lives and my endless fear that my shortcomings will cost them their joy.
Weekly family therapy fortifies the affirmation that we’re building a life that’s whole and healing. One that doesn’t need to fit into a box of expectations, because it’s the perfect size for us.
A knock beats on the door. “Mom, Julian is video calling for our Japanese lesson. Can we watchThe Sandlotright after?”
“Sounds good, Jackson!”
Better than good. Perfect.
Chapter 35
Ella
“So, what do you think?”
”Ithinkyou should quit being so damn stubborn and take your man up on his offer.”
I close my laptop with a frustrated sigh and turn away from the counter and my friend, who’s about to get kicked out of the house she so desperately wants me to claim. “At least look at the photos. In DC, a three-bedroom apartment under $2,300 a month is rare.” I lift the hot cocoa mug with the perfect mix of red and green sprinkles and marshmallows. “That’s with heat and air conditioning included. It’s a great deal.”
Erica swings her hand around the kitchen in dramatic fashion. “And what the hell is this?”
I smile at her challenge. “Christmas decorations.” Holiday garlands with white lights line the tops of the cabinets and windows.
When Morgan offered me the townhouse, it was only until the end of the year. Now, I’m getting side-eye for keeping our agreement?
My declaration for independence turns into a group intervention when Erica calls Morgan. She picks up in a huff, annoyed that I won’t concede after weeks of back-and-forth. “Are we still on this?” Her tone slices through speakerphone.
Erica sucks her teeth. “Destiny’s Child over here wants to be Ms. Independent, even at her own expense.”
Is no one listening?! I throw up my hands. “It hasthreebedrooms and an in-unit washer and dryer!” Not to mention it’s close to Bright Spot and within my price range.
Erica’s stare reaches me over her glazed donut doused in holiday sprinkles. She takes an obnoxious bite. “Mm-hmm.”
“Why pay rent when you can stay in a townhouse and savemoremoney?”
The economics professor with fresh pressed hair lifts a shoulder. “Those dollars don’t make sense.”
“Hello? Julian and I can’t live together anymore. Not after—”
“I caught you two rubbing private parts?” Erica’s mouth twists into a sinister smile at Morgan’s words.
Oh, screw them both.
It’s funny now, but two months ago I had to stop Morgan from laying into Julian. He might play rugby, but he’ll hop over furniture to dodge a blow from his big sister. The way she cleared the kitchen island in a dress and heels had me ready to callAmerica Ninja Warriorabout their next competitor.
In her fit of shock that morphed into rage, she missed the open door of the home office Julian turned into a bedroom for my baby girl. Morgan took one look at Haile’s room and lost it. We got her approval that day—and her promise to keep whatever is between us quiet until the time is right.
