Chapter Thirty-Two
Terence loaded two bags into his car, then started the vehicle and pulled out of the grocery store’s parking lot.
He couldn’t believe Avila and Ebony were leaving in a short time. They had stormed into his life and in a few short weeks
had changed everything. And yet they would leave, and life would return to the way it was. Except now his heart was broken
beyond repair.
A taxi pulled out in front of him, and he slowed his car. He thought about getting onto the plane and going back to New Jersey
with Avila. If she wouldn’t stay here, he’d gladly go with her. And yes, he could just pick up and move, but there was another
thing that stopped him: She had to want him with her.
He braked at the stop sign, watching a bicyclist lean into the turn, and Terence drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.
He could call her in New Jersey. He could email and text. He checked his thoughts. When she left on that plane, he knew his
chance was gone. If he couldn’t persuade her in her presence, what chance did he have in her absence?
So much for showing her genuine love.
Terence pulled onto his street, passing a neighbor walking his dog. He had to put Avila’s departure from his mind and use the time wisely. The sun was low in the sky now, and twilight would follow, signaling the end of the day. The more that time passed, the closer it was to Avila and Ebony’s departure. He wished he could stop the passage of time. But Avila didn’t need more time. She needed a change of heart, and that was out of his control.
He wouldn’t want it any other way. If she wouldn’t give her love willingly, then it wouldn’t really mean much. Some things
had to be given freely or not at all.
He passed his own driveway, then Ms. Mable’s, and turned into Avila’s. After parking, he grabbed the two bags of supplies
and approached the house, ringing the doorbell.
Ebony opened the door. “I’m back,” he said. Terence stepped inside and held up the bags. “Everything okay?”
Avila had this conflicted expression on her face. He thought Avila would be cleaning, and he had intended to help, but they
looked as if they’d been put through the ringer.
“No, but we’re managing. Ebony tried to run away from home.”
Ebony’s eyes widened. “I did not run away. I was... I was going for a bike ride.”
“You slipped away. I was worried. Thought I had to report you as missing to the police.”
Terence glanced at Ebony. “You did that?”
“Yeah but... but I wasn’t running away,” she said. “I was just mad at Mom because she said we’re going back to New Jersey.
That’s all.”
He could understand Ebony’s feelings, especially since he had felt the same way about Avila’s decision. He stood still with
his hands on his hips, scanning the two of them.
“Avila?”
“She fell off the bike while I was driving and trying to keep up with her. She may have injured herself. And I hope that isn’t
the case because then it could jeopardize her chances of performing.”
Ebony stood up and walked back and forth, apparently to show that she wasn’t injured. “I’m fine. I only scraped my elbows
and hands. I washed both spots in the kitchen before I made your tea.”
“Are you okay, Avila?” He directed his attention to her.
“I’m good.” She pointed to her ankle. “Walking to get her and then making it back to the car was a challenge, but I’ll make
it.”
“All right. As long as everything is fine.” There was a note of uncertainty in his voice. “Then I’m good with that.”
The two of them were quiet. Strange. Did something else happen that he wasn’t aware of? “I feel as if I walked in on the middle
of an important conversation, and I’m being left out of the details.”
“I was thinking of something,” Avila said. “It’s an out-of-the-box thought, but maybe I’ll throw it out there. I want to see
what the two of you think.”
Remembering his last conversation with Avila about whether she was going back to New Jersey or not, he had to brace himself
for whatever she was planning to say this time around. “Go on.”
She took a sip of the tea from her mug, and then she set it on the end table. “So, about my job. I don’t think I ever told
you that I have an unpaid leave of absence for the rest of the time that I’m here, and if I go beyond that time, I risk losing
my job.”
“Okay...” Terence was trying to see what she was getting at.
Avila glanced over at Ebony and smiled at her. “I was thinking that perhaps losing my job wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
Terence was confused. What was she getting at? “What do you mean?”
“When I was at the diner, the daughter of the theater owner knew that I used to perform there way back in the day, and she
remembered how good I used to be at acting.”
“Used to be?” Ebony said. “I bet you’re still good. You just haven’t practiced or anything.”
Avila chuckled. “Even people with natural talent need practice. If I haven’t practiced in a while, then I’m sure I’ll need
to get up to speed.
“Anyway, I still have my Equity card.”
Ebony’s eyes bugged out. “You have an Equity card?”
Avila nodded. “Yes. I never let go of my union membership, even though I stopped auditioning. I paid the dues every year.
Some years were tough to make those payments though.”
Wow. Terence couldn’t believe that Avila did that. “You didn’t give it up completely.”
“I mean. I wasn’t working as a performer, but I knew how hard it was to get my Equity card. I wasn’t going to let my membership
lapse, even if I wasn’t actively working in theater.”
“You’re going to act again?” Terence asked, curious.
Avila smiled. “No. I’m not. However. The theater owner’s daughter said that they were looking to hire someone to assist the stage manager who works on the different productions. Since I have performing experience and I’m a union member, the waitress nearly guaranteed me the job as the assistant to the stage manager. I told them that I would think about it.”
“And you thought about it and told them that you’d accept the offer?”
“Not yet. I haven’t done that part. But I will. It would be a regular staff position, and I’d be working in a field that I
always loved.”
“How come you didn’t tell us this before?” Terence asked.
Avila shrugged. “I don’t know. I never thought it would be a viable option until...” She held Ebony’s hand. “Until I saw
how my decision to go back to New Jersey was affecting Ebony.”
The room was silent. Terence had to let this sink in. A sudden thought caught in his mind. She was going to stay. Did that
mean that she wanted to have a serious relationship with him too?
Ebony smiled. “You’re serious about this, Mom?”
Avila nodded. “Yes. Without a doubt.”
Ebony reached over and hugged her mother. She returned the gesture. The sight of the two of them reconciling and together
sent a warmth to his heart.
“I’m going to put in my notice at my job,” Avila said. “I’ll accept the theater’s job offer and see if I can start after the
end of the school year. I want you to finish out this year, and then we’ll move here permanently in the summer.”
Terence lifted his head, drawing a deep breath. Happiness washed through him. “I’m glad that you’re deciding to stay.”
Avila smiled. “Me too. It’s one of the best decisions that I’ve made, I believe.”
Ebony looked at the two of them and stood. “I’m going to, um... check on something. I’ll be back.”
Terence suppressed a smile. He sensed that Ebony wanted the two of them to be alone. After she left the room, Terence crossed
his arms. “I think you’re making the best decision for Ebony. She’s already doing really well, but Charleston is part of her
roots. Your whole family lived here for generations. She’ll thrive here.”
“I think so too.”
He wanted to discuss where they stood, but he waited. “So next summer, huh?”
Avila nodded. “I think it’ll give her time to say goodbye to her classmates. Makes for an easier transition as opposed to
leaving in the middle of the school year.”
“Makes sense.” He didn’t take his focus away from her.
“I was also thinking about us.”
His body warmed. “Oh?”
“I think we can try to make us work. I’m not saying marriage or anything, but we can definitely be more than friends. If I’m
honest with myself, I feel the same for you as you do for me. I... I love you.”
The serenity on her face moved him. He sat next to her on the couch and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Avila leaned
close to him, and he kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
Terence let the silence of the room and the comfort of their embrace settle him. If Avila and Ebony had stayed in New Jersey
permanently, he would have lost them both. He couldn’t imagine his life without them. The thought struck his heart. “You’re
going to live in this house?”
“Yes, of course. This is my mother’s place. I’d be a fool to try to sell it. Samantha might be disappointed though.”
“I think she’ll get over it.” He chuckled. “She’s a pretty successful Realtor. There will be plenty more sales in her future.”
Avila nodded.
Their fingers clasped together, and peace washed over him. Gratitude filled him. They would have a bright future together,
and that was all that mattered.