Page 81 of Bonus Daddy
“I’ve secured Katherine an audition at PPAS.”
I frowned. “Excuse me?” The Professional Performing Arts School was one of the best schools in the country. Thousands of students auditioned for only a few dozen spots every year.
She was silent for a moment, then, “She is going into sixth grade, correct?”
“Yes.” I shifted in my seat. “But the application deadline was months ago. And we decided not to pursue it.” PPAS had been Kit’s dream for years. I’d agonized over the decision not to apply, but ultimately, after long talks, she and I had decided it was better to stay focused on moving to Vermont.
I was relieved, when we chose not to pursue it. For as talented as my daughter was, I wasn’t sure a pressure cooker school filled with highly competitive musicians was the best thing for her at this age.
“Katherine asked. After the showcase last month,” she explained. “I have a friend on the admissions committee, and apparently, this year’s crop of applicants was… lacking.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, frustrated that Kit had gone behind my back. “Jenine,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I appreciate you pulling strings. But?—”
“She’s talented, Jessica. Talented and passionate. An elite school could open many doors.”
I let out a sigh. It didn’t seem possible for my life to get more complicated than it already was, yet here we were.
“Thank you, Jenine,” I said firmly. “Send me the details and I’ll consider it.”
Once I’d disconnected the call, I threw my head back against the headrest. What other curveballs were coming today?
“You okay?”
“Yes,” I said softly, my eyes closed. “Kit got an audition at a prestigious music school.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“It is.” My heart softened a fraction. I let my head loll to one side,taking in his profile. “She deserves all the best things. But I’m trying to get my kids out of the city and into a less intense life.”
He nodded, his attention never leaving the road.
I considered not even mentioning it to Kit, but immediately, I threw that idea out. Guilt gnawed at my stomach at just the idea. I had to tell her. Auditioning would be a great experience for her, even if she didn’t get admitted.
But what if she got in? Would she want to stay?
“So you guys are heading to Vermont to visit in a few days?” Brian asked, distracting me from my mom guilt.
“Thursday morning,” I replied, forcing myself to sit up again. “I’m taking PTO. The plan is to get acclimated, then come back here the following weekend.”
He peered at me, though he kept his face forward. “Do you have a moving date in mind?”
“Not yet,” I said vaguely. “I’ve got a lot to wrap up here, and I haven’t let myself think too much about it, just in case.”
“Let me know how I can help.”
As I nodded my acknowledgment, a pit opened up in my stomach. There was so much to celebrate. Instead, I just felt dread.
We drove the rest of the way to the office in silence.
While my brain should have been cartwheeling with plans and to-do lists, my thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
To Brian’s genuine happiness for us. His commitment to helping me.
As we walked across the parking lot of his building, I wasn’t consumed by thoughts of farm life and vast mountains, but the sinking sensation that I was close to losing something even more precious.
Chapter 29
Jess
