Page 68 of Marriage is a Shore Thing
Noah slaps it to his chest. “No. It’s mine.”
“Are you two sure you weren’t raised together?” I ask through a chuckle, putting my cocoa back for an additional 22 seconds since it isn’t hot enough.
Joanna murmuring against Noah’s shirt reminds him that he’s still on a call. “Sorry, Mom. Let me put you on speaker.”
Noah sets the phone on the kitchen table before filling a mug to the brim.
“Morning, everyone. I’ve got good news!” Joanna’s chipper voice radiates from the speaker. “Stacy found us a window to get the ring back. Apparently, he’s taking one of his love interests on a trip next Friday. They leave in the early evening. Stacy’s oldest has a football game, but after that, she can use her key to enter the house. We talked about it, and it makes more sense for her to forget something and then need to retrieve it than to clean the house at night. And with that dirtbag on a plane, Stacy can just text him that she went over to get it, and he won’t even know she was there until he lands. It’s perfect.”
Geneva raises her eyebrows, nodding. “I like that he’ll be out of town. That makes it easier in case something goes wrong.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Joanna agrees. “Will your ankle be okay by then?”
“Yes. I’m sure of it.”
“Great,” she chirps, bringing a tender smile to Geneva’s lips. “Sorry Noah is bugging you.”
“Hey!” Noah says as I add, “He’s actually here for me. We’re about to leave for a run.”
“Oh.” The timbre of Joanna’s voice changes, turning a bit wobbly. “That’s so nice that you all are getting along. All a parent wants is for their children to be happy.”
Geneva looks down at the table. Her murmured, “Not every parent,” is barely audible, and Joanna misses it entirely.
“Okay, I’ll let you go. Love you.”
We all say our various goodbyes before ending the call.
A stagnant hush falls over the room once Joanna’s cheery voice isn’t echoing off the cabinets.
“That’s fortuitous, with the timing,” I say, trying to brighten the mood.
Noah lurches forward, nearly strangling Geneva with his fierce hug. “I want you to be happy too. And if this goofball does that, then I’m glad.”
Surprisingly, Geneva doesn’t shrug out of his grip but settles her hands over his arms, embracing him. “He’s no more of a goofball than you are.”
Warmth ribbons between my ribs at the same time a drop of sorrow splashes over everything. Seeing Geneva and Noah—sister and brother—hug reminds me of how affectionate Taylor always was with me. It’s odd having genuine joy for Geneva and my newfound friend while my stomach simultaneously swirls with longing.
After avoiding it for so long, I’m realizing that grief isn’t supposed to make sense. It’s amorphous and tangible at the same time. Sharp and dull. Fond memories and gnawing regret.
Everything all at once.
The deep breath filling my lungs draws Geneva’s attention. A divot forms between her brows before she outstretches her hand to me. Noah notices, grabbing my forearm and dragging me into the embrace.
“Aren’t group hugs the best?” he asks. “I miss a good dogpile.”
Geneva grumbles unintelligibly as a bark of laughter leaves my lips.
My gorgeous wife tolerates the hug for exactly two more seconds before shrugging us off. “Get out of here. Aren’t you two supposed to be running off that puppy energy?”
When I return downstairs with Geneva’s crutch after getting changed, I find her and Noah chatting about some drama from the fire station. Geneva is trying her best not to look interested though I know how much she secretly enjoys gossip.
I drop a kiss on her temple. “Do you need anything before we leave?”
“No.” Her lips purse in annoyance, but it’s all for show. “But when you get back, I have a job for you.”
“A job, huh?” I ask, lifting a suggestive eyebrow.
Noah makes a gagging sound. “Good thing I haven’t eaten breakfast.”
