Page 27 of Nothing But It All
They want their family together. I get it. In a perfect world,so do I.
“You want her here, too, right, Daddy?” Maddie asks, flashing a look at her father that she knows helps her get her way 99 percent of the time.
Against my better judgment, I look at my husband.
He’s already looking at me.
Whatever he’s thinking is locked away. I have no idea what’s rolling around in his head. It’s strange not to know his thoughts, because I always have. I’m used to knowing what he’s thinking before he can verbalize it.
But as I stand under the sweltering sun with sweat rolling down my back in a steady stream, I’m not sure what’s going through his mind. I’m really not certain that I want to know.
“It’s up to your mom,” Jack says, his words measured.
Oh, great. Thanks for putting it on me to destroy their dreams.
I sigh.
“You’ve already made time,” Michael says. “You thought you were coming here for two weeks until a couple of days ago. There’s no reason youhaveto go home. And this is ourfamily vacation. You can’t just leave.”
I heave in a breath.
“Your mom has a lot going on,” Jack says. “Don’t pressure her.”
“What ifIhave a lot going on and I need her here?” Maddie says, lifting her brows.
“Madeline ...,” I say, my tone warning her to tread lightly.
“What? Can’t you and Dad get over yourselves long enough to spend a weekend together? You used to do it all the time, you know? Besides, if you guys are going to end up divorced, can’t you give me and Michael one last family vacation? Will it kill you?”
“If you guys are going to end up divorced ...”My head spins, causing whatever Jack says to turn into white noise.
My hand goes to my stomach, trying to help it stop sloshing around.They know. Of course they know. They’re not oblivious.A lump settles in my throat as three sets of eyes are on me.
To my surprise, Jack places a hand on my shoulder. I jump at the contact and attempt to hide the lightning bolt that shoots through my body. My body temperature spikes, and it has nothing to do with the sun.
I hate that he can still do this to me.
“Madeline, that’s enough,” Jack says, his voice stern.
Her eyes go wide at the sound of her government name coming out of her dad’s mouth.
He gently squeezes my shoulder. “Don’ttalk to your mother like that.”
Maddie’s face falls.
“After you apologize to her, the two of you can go back in the cabin while we talk,” Jack says, sweeping his attention briefly to Michael. “Then we’ll deal with that little mouth of yours, Mads.”
What the hell?
I don’t dare look at Jack. I’m too confused at this sudden solid front to attempt to add more dubiety in the mix.
Maddie frowns. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Michael nods. “We love you. We just want one last summer together. That’s all.” He watches the ground as he guides his sister into the cabin.
I exhale loudly as soon as the door closes.
