Page 22 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Nova shrugged. “Just the same. Come stay with me. Help me get my mom off my back, give your kid some space, and reclaim your sanity.”

Isabella considered it. Her friend’s offer was so tempting. It would mean another upheaval for Eli, but the benefits outweighed the struggle. “I’m paying for rent, and pitching in for utilities and groceries. And it would just be for a few months, six max, while I get my shit together and find a house for us to buy. I want to be settled before the baby comes.”

“Done!” Nova extended her arm.

Am I really doing this? Isabella shook her hand. “I can’t believe it.”

“We’re gonna have so much fun together. Trust me.” Nova winked.

“Oh, I’m sure we will. Thank you.” A lightness that wasn’t there before lifted her spirit. Some of the weight disappeared from her shoulders. I guess living at home was more stressful than I realized.

“When can you move in?” Nova asked.

“The sooner, the better.”

“My brothers can help this weekend. Saturday?” Nova offered.

“It’s just a few suitcases and boxes. I don’t want to trouble anyone.”

“Nonsense. You and Eli show up Saturday, and I’ll help get you settled.”

“Thank you.”

Nova winked. “Don’t mention it.”

Isabella sipped the last of her warm latte.

Coffee. Nova. Eli. This baby. Four things she was thankful for and it was only eight in the morning. Today was already shaping up to be a good day.

10

ISABELLA

Isabella set the bag of cookies on the counter as she searched the marina’s back room for any sign of her son.

“You might want to change. I can smell the coffee beans on you,” her papi pointed out as he sorted through a box of lures from the desk under the light of a small green lamp.

“I was just buying cookies.” She gave him a sly smile, while scanning the Fish and Game posters covering the faux wood walls.

He chuckled. “You never were a good liar. Glad to see some things don’t change.”

She laughed and kneeled on the orange couch against the far wall that was older than she was. She peeked out the large bay window overlooking the marina. “Have you seen Eli? He’s got a therapy appointment in half an hour.”

“He’s on the docks. I taught him how to fill the boats with fuel.”

Her son’s head bobbed from the end of one of the docks behind a boat. “Thanks.” She headed out of the office but paused at the doorway, turning back. “Oh, I uh, I found a place for Eli and me until we find a house. I’m gonna move in this weekend. A friend from high school offered her home to us.”

“I’ll handle your mother.” He answered her unasked question.

She slid behind the desk and hugged him. “Thank you, Papi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He patted her hand. “You’d be just fine.”

“Te amo.”

“Love you too.”

She straightened and made her way out back. The salty brine of the ocean greeted her. If she could capture the scent of her childhood, it was this.

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