Chapter 36
SUMMER
I’m a total mess by the time Quinn and Everett take a bow. I’ve gotten to hear parts of their song as Everett wrote it, but this was the first time I’ve witnessed the full thing. He made her shine up there, and if I didn’t already love them, their adorable performance would have done it.
I’m so busy hugging them that I don’t see Brian pass us and replace their spot in front of the crowd.
“Thank you everyone for coming to Be the Brave’s first talent show. As principal, the play has always been my favorite event of the year. Watching the adept staff and students showcase the heart of this school is an honor.”
I bristle at his boast. After his freak-out over the content change and his crude disability comment, I’m having a difficult time trusting he has respect for anyone who performed.
Everett cups my shoulder to get my attention. “I’m going to take Quinn to say hi to everyone.”
I cover his hand with my own. “Okay, I’ll meet you out there.”
He winks at me, and I almost miss it when Brian says, “While I hope this is the beginning of a new tradition for Be the Brave, it will be the last event I attend as acting principal.”
Frozen on the side of the stage, I let his words sink. He’s leaving.
“I’ve decided to pursue other opportunities next year. The Board of Directors are in the process of looking for the school’s next principal.”
A collective gasp followed by murmuring floats through the audience.
“It’s been a privilege spending the last several years serving this community.
I know whoever comes next will be the perfect fit to carry on the legacy of success this school thrives upon.
I’d like to thank the faculty, parents, and students for your support.
Rhett Dawson for the special privilege it was to have his talent on our stage.
Our very own Miss Amy for stepping in last minute for Mrs. Farris.
And for Summer Rogers, who volunteered the last six weeks of her time to make this night the ultimate success it was.
Wishing you all a great summer break! Thank you. ”
Another round of applause breaks out as Brian exits the performance area. A wide swath of amber light blocks his vision of me beyond the curtains. His smile collapses the moment I materialize from the shadows.
“Summer.”
“You announced your resignation.”
“I think it’s about time I moved on from this place.”
His tone lacks the same melancholy sentiment he offered the crowd seconds ago. I should have expected none of our conversations to sink in. With an exaggerated huff, I shake my head and turn away.
“Summer, wait.”
He respects my space and doesn’t touch me this time. The fact that this could be the last conversation we ever have is the only motivation for turning around. I’d rather finish what I intended to do and have nothing left unsaid.
“You were right, okay? I’m jealous of you.
” He grips the back of his neck, eyes cast to the floor.
“I envy the freedom your parents fostered and the lack of fear you have surrounding money. I was taught to believe it’s a finite resource that only a stable income can provide.
Whenever you walked away from a job, it triggered a form of trauma in me I was never prepared to face.
It wasn’t fair to put that burden on you, and I’m sorry. ”
I find myself nodding along. We’ve uncovered more realizations in our relationships in the last few weeks than we have in years.
“We didn’t take the time to ask the hard questions,” I say.
It set us up for failure from the start.
“And I don’t fault you for needing something different in a partner.
I just wish we hadn’t wasted so many years stuck in the same pattern of hurting each other before realizing that. ”
“I know. Me too.”
I dip into my pocket, pinching the gold band with the cushion cut diamond between my fingers. “Here,” I say, holding it out to him. We both stare at it, the only symbol left of our broken union. I brought it tonight knowing it was my last opportunity to give it back.
“You should keep it. I gave it to you,” he says, refusing to take it from me.
But I open his palm and drop the band in the center, releasing myself from everything it tethered me to. “I don’t need it anymore.”
I don’t need him anymore.
He seems to get the sentiment. His jaw slackens and his shoulders slump forward. It’s funny… Brian was the one who initiated our divorce, but I think he might be the last one to realize its finality. The one who is having the hardest time accepting it.
“I want to find something I’m passionate about. The way you have with helping these kids express themselves. I meant it up there. You did an amazing job with this talent show.”
His praise isn’t needed in my life anymore. Doesn’t mean the compliment doesn’t feel good.
“Thank you. What will you do now?”
“I’ve lined up a few job shadowing opportunities while I’m off for the summer. It feels scary not knowing what comes next, but exciting at the same time.”
“I’m happy for you,” I tell him. Despite everything, I still want what’s best for him. I loved him. In some ways, we’re in the same spot, him and I. We both settled down before getting a chance to figure out who we were on our own. What we wanted out of life.
“I’m happy for you too. And I’m sorry,” he says one final time.
It’s not the apology that brings me peace. It’s walking away knowing we both get a second chance at happiness that does.
I know I’m well on my way to that happiness by the found family that’s waiting for me in the hallway.
“I have the most kick-ass friend!” Julia shouts when she sees me.
“Ass is a bad word,” Henry says.
Julia blushes, and Jake looks at her like he’s never been more proud, or turned on.
“Nice one,” I tease as Emma hugs me.
I spot Everett shaking the hand of a gentleman in a suit. They’re both standing next to a smiling Blake. His dad came.
It’s all I can focus on until Emma lets go and a broad-shouldered guy reaches for her hand.
“You must be Nathan.”
His eyebrows pinch, and he points at me. “I remember you. You were the nanny at the party.”
I chuckle. “Something like that. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You were a natural out there,” Everett’s dad butts in.
I nudge his shoulder. “Well, I’m no Rhett Dawson.”
Everyone chuckles. Even the woman who’s taking a step forward and holding out a rectangular package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a cream-colored ribbon toward me. A rare smile warms the apples of Caroline’s cheeks.
“This is for you.”
She got me a gift?
I’m a little taken aback. The last conversation we shared was mostly one-sided. I haven’t even had a chance to thank her for staying with Quinn on my behalf. If anyone should be offering up their gratitude, it should be me.
Julia elbows me when my lingering pause airs on the side of uncomfortable.
“Oh!” I gasp—from the blunt force to my ribcage or embarrassment, I’m not sure which. “Thank you!” I collect the box from her outstretched hand.
Quinn tugs on the hem of my sarong skirt. “Help you?”
“Sure.” I hand her the present, and she unwraps it in less than twenty seconds.
Julia gathers the discarded scraps of wrapping paper from the linoleum floor as Quinn helps pull back on the top of a box.
A curtain of tissue paper lifts with the lid, unveiling a leather notebook nested inside.
My fingertips trace the gold letters of my first name embossed across the front. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
I can’t stop staring at it. Admiring the hand-stitched edging, but mostly the pre-meditated gesture. In the days since I last saw Caroline, she thought of me and cared enough to show it.
“A wise woman once told me it takes an honorable person to self-reflect on the ways they can better themselves. You deserve a fresh start.”
We deserve a fresh start, her gesture seems to be saying.
I think back to our conversation in the entryway when I told her about how my marriage ended.
I know I don’t need Caroline’s permission to have a place in Everett and Quinn’s life or feel worthy enough for them, but I didn’t realize how much I wanted her encouragement.
“I love it. Thank you,” I say.
“Is it time for my treat now?” Henry asks.
Post-show dessert is what I promised him in my moment of crisis. He was refusing to go onstage, so I did what I had to. I really need to get some better tips from Julia for helping him cope with his nerves.
“How about chocolate chip cookies?” Jane offers. “What do you say we all go back to our house? I think a little going-away party is in order.”
A going-away party. I don’t love the sound of that.
My goal today was to get so swept up in the talent show that I wouldn’t have to think about Everett and Quinn leaving tomorrow. Now that it’s over, I don’t have the distraction anymore. This might be the hardest gathering I ever attend.