Page 65 of The Fun Part
“You said Dad’s fine.”
“He is, but you know how he gets.”
It strikes me how unfair it’s been for Sutton living at home. After Mom died, Sutton dedicated herself to taking care of Dad in his grief, but she was grieving too. She and Mom were close. I was in college at the time so wasn’t there to help day to day; then I played ball, followed by law school. I had my own life while Sutton’s life stayed on hold.
“Dad’s a grown man,” I say.
“But he’ll be all alone.”
“He can join a club or something, or finally seek help. Maybe having you there makes it too easy for him to do nothing. Maybe it’s best for him if you move on with your life.”
Dad refuses to try antidepressants. Mom’s death was basically the end of his life. I’ve lost a lot too, but I’m not depressed. I built a life for myself.
Sutton speaks softly. “I don’t know, Cal. I think he needs me.”
I take a deep breath. “Sure, status quo is always an option. Or you could get in on the ground floor of a company with the potential to grow. Maybe take a few community college classes.”
“College is expensive,” she says as she always does. It’s been fifteen years since Mom died, and I don’t want Sutton to permanently put her life on hold taking care of Dad and hopingher boyfriend proposes one day. I want her to have options. She’s brilliant. She could do so much more with her life.
“That’s what scholarships and financial aid are for.”
“I don’t know. This move seems too risky.”
“If it’s a mistake, you can always go home again. Right?”
“John and I have been together for eight years now. That’s a long time. We were high school sweethearts like Mom and Dad.”
But you’re not like Mom and Dad because John cheats on you.
I take a slow breath. It takes a huge effort to stay calm and reasonable when I just want her to see what a scum he is. “Why don’t you have a talk with him? See if he’s on the same page about your future together. Better to know now if he’s not thinking about marriage after eight years.”
“Right. Like every guy wants to be pressured into marriage.”
“Look, you called me so you must want my advice. Do what’s best for you and your career. Opportunities like this don’t come up that often. Accept the job, try it out. If you find after six months to a year that it’s not a good fit, then you can always go home again.”
“I guess.”
Inspiration strikes. “There’s a romance book club and a bookstore.” I don’t mention that I joined them. That would invite too many questions, and I’m not about to explain my new interest in understanding women’s emotions, courtesy of Mackenzie and our complicated relationship.
I still. A relationship. Did this casual-turned-fake-dating thing turn into something real? It snuck up on me. And that’s why everything got messed up. Because I suck at the feelings part.
“A bookstore and a romance book club! Wow. I’ve always wanted to be in a romance book club. Every book club I foundout here reads depressing books. I can’t believe Mackenzie never mentioned it.”
“I don’t think she reads romance, but her mom is the leader of it.”
“That must’ve been so nice growing up with a romance-loving mom.”
“She’s a great lady. You’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will. Ack! Am I really doing this? Moving halfway across the country for a new job?”
“It’s a great opportunity, and you earned it.”
“I’ll see if John’s willing to do long distance for a while. This doesn’t have to be forever.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, thanks, Cal! Love you!”
