Chapter 43
Venus
My interactions with Maggie felt strained, but to her, I’m a catalyst that causes Henry pain. She’ll need more data to counteract what history has supported—data that only time will provide.
But tonight was a start. The tension vanishes when it’s the three of us again, snaking our way through the woods with flashlights.
After we return to the campsite, Olly and Buster pile leaves, twigs, and logs in the brick circle of our fire pit.
“Is it time for s’mores and stories yet?” he asks while Buster yaps his usual, “What?”
When I have the fire blazing, we make gooey s’mores while Henry tells us about the Cape Fear’s “Gentleman Pirate,” Stede Bonnet, and his associate, Blackbeard’s, final battle.
He then tells us watered-down versions of ghost stories about the Battleship North Carolina, Bellamy Mansion, and Thalian Hall, until Olly says, “Dad, tell us about the elephant again.”
So, he shares about Topsy the escaped elephant instead. And Frank the Frog.
He is excellent at storytelling, which I imagine also makes him a great teacher. We giggle over owls above our heads, bats zipping by, and fireflies dancing through the trees. We talk about the nearly full moon and lie on our backs to gaze at the constellations.
Then, when Olly gets tired, we put out the fire, clean up our snacks, and get ready for bed. I go to my hammock, but Olly rubs his eyes, tugs on Buster’s leash, and says, “Venus, sleep with us.”
My eyes meet Henry’s and find his easy side-smile. “There’s plenty of room.”
“That, there is, if you’re sure it’s okay.”
Their urging expressions are identical, making me chuckle.
We kick our shoes off at the door, and they lead the way into the spacious Greene family tent.
Buster and Olly settle on the right, curled to each other.
Henry unzips his sleeping bag, laying it out flat for the two of us to climb onto.
Then he pulls an extra blanket over us and nestles against me.
It’s surreal and all-consuming, the perfection of it, that we’re camping together like a real family. This could be my family. I could be with Henry like I’ve always wanted.
Olly’s lips pucker with a sudden snore, waking Buster with a sleepy yap.
A giggle rumbles through me, and Henry does the same against my back. His hand slips up to my lips, gently covering them and chuckling as he says, “Shhh” in my ear.
Olly and Buster go still and peaceful again.
I twist around to face Henry, still holding in my laugh. “He gets that from you.”
“I don’t snore,” Henry refutes under his breath.
“Oh, yes, you do. Only you’re not quite as cute when you do it.” My smile stretches across my cheeks as I tease him.
Henry feigns offense.
“But you’re still cute,” I whisper with a shrug.
“Cute, huh? I prefer other adjectives.”
“Like?” I urge, leaning up to kiss him again.
“Like handsome, hot,” he says with another kiss, “sexy…”
“You want me to objectify you?” I clarify.
“Absolutely,” he whispers back.
“But there’s more to you than that, Henry,” I say quietly, running my fingertips over his t-shirt.
“Oh, yeah? Tell me, then. I want to know everything you’re thinking.”
“I also think you’re… kind and funny and patient and a very good father and… good for me. Thank you for tonight.”
He takes my hand and places it over his heart. “Thank you for handling her so well. I’m sorry for how she was—”
“Don’t be. She’s just afraid that I’ll hurt you again.”
He sits up slightly, resting his head on his hand as he stares at me. “I can’t wait to prove her wrong. Do you still think you want to stay?”
“I-I want to, yes.” His fingers graze my temple, as if prodding my thoughts free. “I think… I could get used to this. It feels like home. Maybe for the first time. I’ve fallen for your son, too.”
“Yeah, he’s irresistible.” He laughs and tears up at once. “I’d love for you to be here, but I meant what I said. Go anywhere you want, Venus, but stay with me. With us. A fixed constant. Okay?”
“Okay,” I smile, as he nestles closer on our shared pillow. He locks our hands between us, and for the first time in our history, Henry and I fall asleep facing each other, holding hands, me dreaming of thousands of nights just like this.