Page 35 of The Problem with Falling
From: [email protected]
Subject: Dad News Update
Little Bird,
I’m sorry to hear that about Molly’s husband. That’s a hard situation to be in. It probably means the world to Molly to have you there to help out. Just remember to take care of yourself, too. I know those issues can be very heavy.
I saw Anna the other day in town. I’m sorry you’re still struggling with that. I would say I could talk to her for you, but I know it wouldn’t help much of anything. Grieving people who are still alive is tough. Also, I forgot about that edibles incident. It just upset me again, so you better come home because you’re grounded again. Okay, maybe that’s just me trying to get you home.
If this Theo guy is rude to you, let me know, and I’ll come kick his ass.
Or if he tries to cozy up to you, let me know, and I’ll come kick his ass.
Avery is twenty-five weeks now, which is wild to me. I can’t wait to meet the twins. And I’m grateful that you’ll be home for their birth. Something else to look forward to.
I love you, Willow.
You said you’ll see me soon. Make it sooner than that.
-Your Old Man
PS I’ll always worry. But I know you’ll be okay.
“Dad said you’re living with a grumpy asshole,” Avery said on the Zoom call that she, Yara, and I were on. I sat on the edge of the deck in Theo’s backyard, bathing in the sunlight as my sisters and I caught up on life.
Avery looked beautiful pregnant, but she’d been put on bed rest, which must’ve been driving her up a wall. Over the past few days, ever since she was told the news about being on bed rest, she’d texted Yara and me dozens of Instagram reels that I’d already seen weeks ago on TikTok. Avery hated social media, but she must’ve hit her boredom threshold. Now, she was leaving me voice memos with random social media sound clips.
“I wouldn’t say he’s an asshole,” I stated as I put on my sunglasses. “I mean, there are asshole moments, but I thinkthat’s just him trying to be an asshole, not because he’s an actual asshole. If that makes sense.”
“That makes absolutely zero sense,” Avery stated.
I chuckled. “It’s like he’s trying to be an asshole just to keep people away.”
Avery pursed her lips together in understanding. “Oh. That’s a concept I can respect. I like keeping people away, too. People are the worst.”
“Not if you get to know them,” Yara chimed in as she stood in her doggy daycare, mixing up a batch of homemade dog treats.
I nodded. “I agree. Some people put on an act until you get to know them. But I can definitely say he’s a grump.”
“As someone who fell in love with her own grump, marry him,” Yara said.
“As someone who married a golden retriever, I can vouch that a grump and golden retriever pair well together,” Avery agreed. It was odd seeing my two sisters so happily married and in love. For a long time, I thought that would be me. I thought we’d all live in Honey Creek together and raise our families. I thought I’d have Dad build me a house on the lake with a view of the most stunning sunsets. I thought I’d be married young and deep in love.
That all changed after the accident with Anna.
“Willow,” someone called out behind me. I turned to find Theo standing there, staring my way with his always stern look. “We should get going if we’re gonna pick up decorations and meet with the caterers to sample the food.”
“Holy shit!” both my sisters exclaimed as they got as close as possible to their cell phones.
“That’s the asshole?!” Avery hollered without thought.
“Avery!” I whisper-shouted, feeling my cheeks flush from her bluntness.
“Sorry, sorry.” She cleared her throat and then whispered, “That’s the asshole?”
“Hmph,” Theo huffed, arching an eyebrow.
