Page 10 of The Parent Pick-Up
“To new neighbors,” she says.
We clink our glasses, then fall quiet, letting the night settle around us. The peaceful feeling settles all the way to my bones. There’s no need for words, and the absence of mindless chatter is more satisfying than the flavorful wine.
Tucked into my hoodie, sipping wine as she stares at the view, Ivy is the picture of serenity.
“You should stay tonight,” I say before I can second-guess it. “There’s a full guest suite upstairs. Hannah has a trundle bed Olivia can use.”
She hesitates, eyes flicking to mine. “I don’t know…”
“It’s safer than going back to that dark house. Plus, Olivia already thinks she’s having a sleepover.”
She tilts her head. “That’s manipulative.”
“It’s also true.”
A small smile breaks across her lips, and she doesn’t say yes, but she doesn’t say no, either. I take that as a win.
A few more quiet minutes pass, and then she asks, “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” I say, cautious.
“It’s about Hannah’s piano lessons.”
I groan. “Don’t remind me.”
“It seems like she doesn’t like them.”
“She loves piano but hateseveryteacher. We’ve tried four this year.”
“Hmm,” she says, noncommittal.
“What?”
“Are you sure she loves piano?” Ivy glances at me sharply. “Or do you love it for her?”
My spine tingles with indignation. “Are you saying I’m forcing my daughter to do something she doesn’t like?”
“Not necessarily.”
I feel my blood pressure rising. “She’s been begging me for years to learn piano. She’s obsessed with music videos.”
“Okay.” Ivy nods for me to go on.
“But she’s just not getting it.” My shoulders tense. “Maybe I gave her my non-musical gene.”
“I don’t think that’s a thing.”
“It’s so frustrating. I know she wants to learn.” I take a long sip of wine, staring straight ahead. “It’s so hard to see her fail at something she obviously loves.”
Ivy sets her glass down on the edge of the stone fire pit and turns to face me. “Do you want my opinion?”
I turn to face her. “If I say no, are you going to tell me anyway?”
She cocks her head at me. “Probably.”
I brace myself for her opinion, knowing I’m not going to like it. “Go ahead, then.”
“It helps if you let creativity be free.”
