Chapter 21 #2
“Anything else I should know?” she asks, looking up from her planner. “Activities, schedule conflicts?”
“Just the usual,” I say. “Art class, a field trip to the aquarium with her class on Thursday, and her soccer game. All the times are in the shared calendar.”
“Perfect.” Victoria leans back in her chair, wrapping her hands around her latte. “So. You mentioned you’re dating someone.”
I’d tried to tell her weeks ago. Sent a text, suggested we talk on the phone.
She’d finally replied to one of them with a brief “sounds good, let’s discuss when I’m in town.
” I don’t particularly want to have this conversation with her, but co-parenting means keeping her informed about things that affect Chloe.
“Yeah,” I say, wrapping my hands around my own mug. The warmth seeps into my palms. “Her name is Emma. We’ve been together for a few months now.”
Victoria leans back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other. “Emma,” she repeats, like she’s testing the name. “Chloe’s mentioned her a few times. She seems to really like her.”
“She does.”
“And she’s Chloe’s teacher, right? First grade?”
“That’s right.”
Victoria takes a sip of her latte, and I watch her process this information. The coffee shop is quiet except for the gentle hum of conversation from the other tables and the soft jazz playing through the speakers.
“I hope you’re being responsible about this, Theo,” she says finally, setting her cup down. “Dating your daughter’s teacher. That’s a lot of potential for complications.”
“Emma checked with the school before anything started,” I say, keeping my voice even. “There’s no conflict of interest. And she’s only Chloe’s teacher for the rest of this year. After that, Chloe moves on to second grade with someone else.”
“Okay.” Victoria nods, though I can tell she’s still thinking it through. “And it’s serious?”
“It is.” I don’t elaborate. I don’t tell her that Emma has become the center of my world, that waking up next to her feels like winning the lottery every single day, that I can see a future with her in a way I haven’t let myself imagine since long before our marriage ended.
She studies me for a moment, her head tilted slightly. “So tell me more. What’s she like?”
I set my mug down and lean back in my chair. Through the window, I can see a fishing boat heading out toward the Sound, its wake cutting a white line through the grey-blue water.
“She’s smart,” I continue, thinking about how to describe Emma in a way that does her justice.
“Really smart. Graduated college early, had a whole career in Seattle before she moved out here. She’s passionate about education, about making a difference for kids.
” I turn my coffee cup in my hands, staring at the dark surface.
“And she’s kind. She and Chloe have this whole relationship separate from me.
Inside jokes, art projects. Chloe absolutely adores her. ”
Victoria is quiet for a moment, watching me. “You really care about her,” she says.
“I do.”
“How old is she?”
The question lands with a thud, even though I was expecting it. “Twenty-four.”
Victoria’s eyebrows shoot up. “Twenty-four?” She lets out a short laugh, shaking her head. “C’mon, Theo.”
I don’t respond. I was prepared for this.
“She’s ten years younger than you,” Victoria continues. “Ten years younger than me.” She takes a sip of her drink, then sets it down with a little more force than necessary.”
I feel heat rise up the back of my neck, my hands tightening around my coffee cup. For a moment I don’t trust myself to speak.
Victoria must see something in my face because her expression shifts.
She holds up a hand, shaking her head. “I’m sorry,” she says.
“That was uncalled for. I just...” She exhales, rubbing her temple with her fingertips.
“This is a lot to process, Theo. You’ve never dated anyone since we split.
Not seriously. And now you’re telling me you’re in a serious relationship with someone who’s barely out of college. ”
“She’s twenty-four,” I repeat, my voice carefully controlled. “Not eighteen. She has a master’s degree and a career she loves. She’s one of the most mature, grounded people I’ve ever met. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t reduce her to her age.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Victoria holds up both hands now, a peace offering. She takes a breath, then another. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just a shock, that’s all. Give me a minute to adjust.”
I don’t say anything. My coffee has gone lukewarm but I drink it anyway, needing something to do with my hands.
The jazz music shifts to something slower, a piano melody drifting through the quiet coffee shop.
At the table next to us, a woman laughs at something on her laptop.
Life going on, normal and unremarkable, while Victoria and I navigate another awkward conversation about our separate lives.
“I am happy for you,” Victoria says eventually, and her voice is quieter now. More genuine. “Really. I know I reacted badly just now, but you deserve to be happy, Theo. You’re a good man and a great father. If this woman makes you happy, then I’m glad.”
“Thanks,” I say. The word comes out flatter than I intend, but I mean it.
“I mean it.” She reaches across the table and touches my hand briefly, then pulls back. “I’d like to meet her at some point. While I’m in town. If that’s something you’d be comfortable with.”
I consider this. The idea of Victoria and Emma in the same room makes me uneasy, but I can’t avoid it forever. They’re both part of Chloe’s life. At some point they’re going to have to coexist.
“We can probably make that happen,” I say.
Victoria nods, her shoulders relaxing. She picks up her latte and takes a long sip, then checks the time on her phone.
“Actually,” she says, looking back up at me, “I was wondering if it might be possible for me to pick Chloe up from school today? I know it’s last minute, but I’d love to surprise her.
Take her out for ice cream or something, just the two of us. ”
I turn this over in my mind. Part of me wants to say no, that’s not how this works, you can’t just show up and change the plan. But I think about Chloe, and how her face would light up seeing her mom waiting for her at pickup. How excited she’d be.
And Emma’s not there today anyway. She was feeling under the weather yesterday and decided to take a sick day to recover. There’s no chance of an awkward collision in the school parking lot.
“Yeah,” I say finally. “I’m sure Chloe would love that.”
Victoria’s face breaks into a genuine smile, the first one I’ve seen from her all morning. “Really? Thank you, Theo. I can’t wait to see her face.”
“She’ll be thrilled,” I admit.
We spend the next few minutes going over the details—what time school gets out, where to park, and I even pull up a photo of Chloe standing at the door to her classroom on my phone to show her which door to wait at.
“She’s gotten so big,” Victoria says softly, looking at the photo. “I feel like every time I see her she’s grown another inch.”
“She has,” I agree. “Had to buy her new shoes last week. Again.”
Victoria laughs, and for a moment it’s almost like the old days. Before everything got complicated. Before we realized we wanted different things and were too stubborn to admit it. Just two parents, marveling at how fast their kid is growing up.
She checks the time again and starts gathering her things, tucking her planner back into her bag. “I should let you get back to your day. I know you’ve got the restaurant to run.”
“It was good to see you,” I say, and I’m surprised to find I mostly mean it.
“You too.” She stands, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “And Theo? I really am sorry about what I said earlier. About Emma. It wasn’t fair.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “Just... maybe get to know her before you judge her. She’s not what you’re expecting.”
Victoria nods slowly. “I’ll keep an open mind,” she says. “I promise.”
She gives me a small wave and heads for the door, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. I watch her go, watch her push through the door and cross the street to her Audi, watch her pull out of the parking spot and disappear down Main Street.
Then I sit back in my chair, let out a long breath, and finish my cold coffee.