Page 14 of The Story of Us
“I stayed to help with the kids’ sports session. How did everything go with the Fletchers?” Eloise sank into the chair next to her dad.
“It’s helpful to have them here to assist with the last-minute details,” was all Mary said.
The perfect public relations answer told Eloise everything she needed to know. “That bad, huh?”
“Want to guess how many people are coming to the wedding?” Joanie placed Eloise’s plate in front of her. The scent of garlic, basil and oregano made Eloise’s mouth water. Joanie’s lasagne was famous and deservedly so.
“It hasn’t gone up, has it?”
Mary’s smile thinned out to a flat line. “Four hundred and twelve now.”
“Wow.” What else was there to say? Eloise didn’t even know half that many people.
“It’s an enormous waste of money if you ask me.” Joanie picked up her fork and used it to spear a piece of cucumber. “They’d be better off putting that money into a deposit for an investment property.” No one mentioned that there was no need for Charlie and Sera to buy their own home. The Fletchers had given them one as an engagement present. It wasn’t jealousy coursing through Eloise’s body, either. She and Charlie had grown up with everything they needed, but they’d also witnessed firsthand how hard their parents had worked for it all. Not that she was suggesting the Fletchers hadn’t done the same, but it was still mindboggling that Charlie was marrying into such a different world.
“It’s all sorted now.” Mary’s tone made it clear she wanted to change the topic of conversation. “What’s new with you, my girl? Did you get feedback on your uni stuff yet?”
“Yes, we could use some good news,” Michael added.
Eloise reached for her water glass. What was the harm in telling her family about it? Even if she couldn’t go, being picked by Professor Armstrong was still a compliment, and it would cheer her folks up. “I’ve been asked to apply for the exchange at the American Art Therapy Institute again.”
“Wait. Don’t say another word. I’m getting a nice bottle of wine so we can celebrate.” Joanie was up and out of her chair before she’d finished speaking, her hand squeezing Eloise’s shoulder as she passed her.
“You don’t have to do that. Honestly. I’m probably not going to apply.”
Mary twisted around and retrieved four wine glasses from the cabinet behind her.
“Why not?” The confusion on Michael’s face was so sweet. “Look at everything you’ve done for KPs and the wider community. They’d be lucky to have you.”
“Exactly,” Joanie said, reappearing with a bottle of merlot.
“It doesn’t matter because I don’t think I can go anyway.”
“Why?” Mary, Michael and Joanie asked in unison.
Eloise put her fork down and buried her head in her hands. “I won’t be able to get enough leave, and I can’t quit my job. I love my job. The whole point of doing my master’s was so I could expand the programs offered at KPs. Seems counterintuitive to give that away so I can move to Arizona for a year.”
“But what about your dreams?” Mary asked, her eyes shining.
“Mum.”
“No, think about it. You’ve always put everyone first. Here’s a chance for your big adventure. An opportunity to spread your wings and fly?—”
“To the other side of the world!” Eloise said.
“The best things in life almost always involve taking risks, darling,” Joanie chimed in. “And as someone on KP’s committee, I’m confident your job won’t be an issue.”
“It doesn’t matter. I probably won’t get it.”
Some people, like Nate, were meant for great things and lives filled with big changes and twists and turns. But there were just as many people who were destined to move about in the shadows, content with their lot in life or who took their time to chase their dreams. There was nothing wrong with knowing her own limits.
“Is this because of money?” Michael wiped his mouth with his serviette and pulled out his phone. Eloise would bet he was logging into his banking app.
“It’s not.” She lied. This wasn’t a conversation she was prepared to have with her parents. Not when they were finally getting ahead and had almost paid off their mortgage. Her whole life, they’d sacrificed and gone without so she and Charlie didn’t miss out. No way was she going to let them choose her dreams over their own again.
“We could—” Michael started.
Eloise shook her head firmly. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s okay.”
