Page 118 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“He came out to me right before his diagnosis and we agreed to get divorced, but then we found out about the ALS and I couldn’t leave him.”

“That was years ago.”

“Yes.”

“That’s around the same time that man Phillip started showing up in the pictures you posted online,” her mom pointed out, and Isabella could almost see the cogs turning in her mind.

Isabella exhaled. “Phillip and Robert fell in love.”

Her mother opened her arms, stepping forward and wrapping Isabella in a hug. “I’m so sorry, mija. Why didn’t you tell me? You dealt with so much all on your own.”

“Robert’s parents turned their backs on him after he came out to them. I couldn’t deal with how you’d react too. It was better just to pretend things were the same.”

“I thought you and he were happy.”

“He was my best friend.”

“Oh, my sweet girl. You’ve carried so much on your shoulders alone.” Her mother squeezed Isabella tighter. “For the record, I would have loved him the same, but I would have been upset that he hurt you in the process.”

Tears fell from Isabella’s eyes. She couldn’t seem to stop them these days.

Her mother pulled back, framing Isabella’s face in her hands. “You listen to me. You deserve to have someone who loves you enough to put you first like your papi does to me. Someone who puts up with your temper and gives you your way most of the time.”

Isabella laughed.

“I don’t know if I’ve said it nearly enough, but I’m proud of you, mija.”

Her vision blurred with more tears before she blinked them away.

“I may not agree with all your choices, but you’re right—they are yours to make. I’ve only ever wanted to keep you safe. Robert might not have been the man for you, but he was a good man. So, as much as it pains me, I will try to give Nash the benefit of the doubt. But if I see one thing that I don’t like—”

“I know. Although I don’t think that’s going to be an issue now.”

“Then it’s his loss.”

“Thank you, Mama—”

“Cariño, have you seen Eli? I was going to see if he wanted to wrap his boat with me for the winter. Storm’s rolling in—wanted to get it out before it hits. I’ve procrastinated long enough.” Her dad interrupted them, opening the door and letting in a blustery cold November wind.

“He wasn’t with you?” Isabella asked, her stomach pitching as the hair on her neck and arms stood on end. A knowing twisting her guts.

She grabbed her coat and rushed outside, slipping it on as she made it down the steps, her father and mother hot on her heels.

“I’ll check the shop.” Her mother darted inside.

“I’ll check out back in the storage yard.” Her dad disappeared as Isabella raced towards the docks.

Her lungs froze as fear pierced her chest like icy spears. “Papi! His boat’s gone!”

She turned and ran into the shop.

Her mother came out of the back room. “He’s not here.”

Her father’s footsteps thudded inside as she pulled up the app on her phone. She’d bought a special monitor for her son since he’d wandered off from school one day back in Colorado. Robert had insisted on using it since his diagnosis. They’d been worried, considering he was so trusting. It was a safety measure that stuck.

A small green dot appeared on her screen in the middle of the blue ocean. “He’s out there! I need the keys to Papi’s boat.” She reached behind the counter, grabbing the ring with the orange mini buoy.

“What’s wrong?” Nash’s deep voice cut through the room, lashing her chest in part relief, part pain.

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