Page 75 of Summer Fling
"I thought you'd want to do more of the therapy aspect of art."
"Well, you can get therapy from just painting. I don't need a fancy degree to show people that. Especially if I'm working in a more casual setting like this."
"But you've always done the right thing, gotten the degrees you need to succeed," I continued, hoping to convince her that her life wasn't and shouldn't be here with me.
Blake sighed. "I have another class to teach."
"I'm going to take Lilliana home for lunch and her nap, but let me know when you need me to pack up. I can come back."
Blake hugged me. "Thanks for coming to support me."
"Of course. I'll always be here for you." But I wouldn't be able to follow her around the world, wherever her dreams would take her. It would hurt, but when the time came, I'd let her go. She deserved so much more than to have her wings clipped and to be trapped in this cage.
I remembered how so many kids in high school couldn't wait to get out. There weren't many opportunities for jobs here, and there was a whole world out there waiting for them. It was the same for Blake, and I wouldn't be the man to tell her no.
My heart heavy, I gathered our things and attempted to walk out with Lilliana, but she was more interested in running ahead of me.
Outside, I belted her into the car seat and closed her door. The lot of the library was full, and there were people coming out with their canvases, smiles on their faces.
I couldn't deny everyone the joy of being with Blake. She needed to share her art with the world.
When I got home, I fed Lilliana on autopilot, thinking about what it would be like when Blake was gone and I was alone again.
Would I stay strong with Oakley, or was it Blake that had me sticking to my convictions? I was scared I'd go back to the way I was, a floor mat for Oakley to walk all over. And what would I do with Lilliana when I was working?
I'd have to find another nanny or try to get into one of the daycares on the island. There weren't many, and they filled up fast.
Summer was a better time to find help. During the school year, the college kids would go off island for school, and I'd be screwed.
After Lilliana ate, I cleaned her up and read her a book before settling in for nap time.
Around two, Hudson knocked on my door. "I thought I'd watch Lilliana so you could help Blake get her things packed up."
"I hadn't thought that through when I offered to help her." I was so used to relying on Blake to be here that I hadn't even realized that she wouldn't be. It was a good reminder that soon I'd be on my own and I'd have to figure these things out.
I couldn't always rely on my family for help.
I opened the door wider so Hudson could come inside.
"Is everything okay?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah, just realized some things today."
He raised a brow. "Yeah? What was that?"
"I've been holding Blake back. She's destined for amazing things." My stomach was twisted in knots, but it felt good to admit that out loud.
"That's what you got from her class this morning?" Hudson asked carefully, leaning a hip on the island.
"Did you see how happy people were to be there and listen to her teach? Blake was in her element."
The crease between his eyebrows deepened. "She was great. But I thought the point of the class was to see if there was interest for more."
"It's clear that she needs to spread this far and wide, off the island. The best thing she could do is go back for her degree in art therapy. She can't do that here, not on the island. There're no schools, and it can't be done online."
Hudson raised his hand. "Slow down. You're making a lot of assumptions."
"For the first time in a long while, I can see clearly. I'm the one holding her back from living her dreams. That's why she can't make a decision. She feels badly for me. She thinks I need her here."
