Page 99 of Give Me a Reason

“You would if you wore your reading glasses,” Mom said.

I whipped up some eggs and bacon while Mom and Gerald entertained Paisley. It was the perfect Saturday morning. The only person missing was Aria.

When we all sat down to eat the eggs, Mom said, “We have an announcement to make.”

“Oh yeah?” I couldn’t imagine what it would be. They were working with a new charity, going on a vacation with friends? It usually didn’t affect us.

“I don’t like living so far away from you guys,” Mom said.

“You know why I can’t move.” I didn’t want to live in the city. I’d have to pay for expensive private schools, and I wasn’t prepared to do that. I liked that Paisley went to the same school as our neighbors and her friends.

“We are looking for a house here. Both you and Ireland live nearby, and I’d like to see my only grandchild more. Maybe I can even help babysit.”

“Yay!” Paisley said.

“I wasn’t expecting you to move here, but if that’s what you want, we’d love it.” I was ecstatic. Paisley would be able to see her grandmother more. What could be better than that? Only having Aria here, which wasn’t within my control.

“We’re talking to a realtor. I don’t know how long it will take to find a place,” Mom said.

“Take your time. Find a place you’ll love.”

They exchanged a look. “We’d like to find a place on the water.”

“Wow. That would be amazing.”

“Could we go waterskiing?” Paisley asked.

“I think we’d be on the bay, so I’m not sure that would be safe, but we’ll have to wait and see what we find,” Mom said diplomatically.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ll be closer.” I was thinking of the games they could attend, the school plays and concerts. It was everything I’d always wanted for Paisley. “Have you told Ireland?”

“Not yet. We’re going over there later to see her.”

Things with Aria were still up in the air, but this was a great development. I’d always wanted my parents to be more involved. I just assumed they were happy with their lives in Baltimore.

“We’ll keep the old house for when we have events in town.”

“I think that’s the perfect solution.” My heart was full. If Aria didn’t come to me soon, I might need to make a move. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out. My perfect future was right there waiting for me, if only she would reach out.

Maybe I’d been too harsh to tell her she wasn’t ready. That she needed to do some work before we could be together. We could work on those things together. Sure, things might trigger her, but we’d work through it together.

Determined to let her know I’d welcome her back, I left Paisley with my mom and Gerald while I got ready for the afternoon wedding.

Hailey and Ryan’s wedding was a big deal for Gia and the others because they were friends. It was also the reason we were holding a wedding on the Eastern Shore. They’d gotten engaged at a house there and wanted to get married at the same location.

Apparently, Hailey and Ryan had already gotten married in a private ceremony. But they still wanted to have a party for their family and friends. They’d recently gotten pregnant, so it moved the time line up a bit.

Paisley was with Naomi for the next week, so I didn’t have to drive back. Gia had rented rooms for all of us to stay.

The ceremony itself would be outside by the water, and then we’d set up the tables and chairs and the dance floor. It wouldn’t be as smooth as our other venues. I couldn’t remember another occasion where we’d hosted a wedding at a house like this. But it was what they wanted.

When I arrived, everything was set up. I’d play for the ceremony itself and later at the reception. The house was a small ranch-style, but the Chester River flowed by the backyard, making for a beautiful backdrop. I’d love to fish off the long dock.

I warmed up, playing a few chords while guests filtered in. It was a small wedding of family and friends. I’d seen glimpses of Aria, but she hadn’t stopped moving since I arrived. I couldn’t get a sense of how she was doing.

When Gia stopped by, she said, “We’re on schedule.”

I stretched the kinks in my neck. “I’m ready.”

---