Chapter 25
Terry held his phone to his ear, jaw clenched as Patricia's voice took on the familiar tone that meant she was about to blow up his plans.
"I can't take them this weekend. I’m sorry.”
Direct. Barest apology. That was Patricia.
"What do you mean you can't take them?" Terry kept his voice low, determined not to blow a gasket. "My conference in DC is tomorrow. My once-a-year conference that has been on the calendar for months,” he reiterates. “Why is your job taking precedence over mine?”
"I know the timing sucks, but my boss just called. Emergency trip to Seattle. Big client threatening to walk."
Terry closed his eyes. He’d planned for the three days of presentations and networking in DC that could shape his department's future.
More importantly, he'd been asked to present on running a drug task force in rural areas. But he wouldn’t argue about his job coming in second to hers. It was about the kids.
"Patricia, this isn't just about me. The kids have been looking forward to seeing you."
A pause. He could hear airport noise in the background.
"I know they have." Her voice softened slightly. "You think I don't hate disappointing them?"
The crack in her professional facade surprised him. Patricia rarely let her guard down about her choices.
"Then don't disappoint them."
"It's not that simple, Terry. This client represents 30 percent of our West Coast revenue. If we lose them..."
"Your kids shouldn't have to compete with your job."
Silence stretched between them. Terry heard her exhale, the sound carrying years of this same argument.
"You know what I am," she said quietly. "I've never pretended to be the stay-at-home mom type. I thought we were past this."
Terry looked through the kitchen window at Emma and Toby playing basketball. Emma cheered when Toby made a shot. They still believed their mom would show up.
"We are past it. But that doesn't make it easier when you cancel on them."
"I'll make it up to them. Maybe next weekend—"
"There is no next weekend, Patricia. This was their weekend with you."
Another pause. When she spoke again, her voice had returned to business mode.
"Look, I have to board. My flight's leaving." She paused a beat. "I'm sorry, Terry. I really am."
The call was disconnected. Terry stared at his phone, fighting the urge to throw it across the room.
Instead, he set it carefully on the counter and walked to the window.
Patricia wasn't evil. She genuinely loved Emma and Toby in her own way.
But love and priority were different things, and her kids would always come second to her career.
He'd accepted that years ago. What still got to him was watching Emma's face fall every time her mom changed plans, seeing Toby's shoulders slump when another promise got broken.
His phone buzzed. Sandra's name was on the screen.
When will Patricia pick up the kids?
Terry typed back. She canceled. Work emergency in Seattle.
The phone rang immediately. "Are you kidding me?" Sandra's voice was tight with anger. "She canceled today?"
"Big client crisis. She's already at the airport."
"Terry, I'm so sorry." Sandra's anger shifted to concern. "What are you going to do about the conference?"
"Try to find someone to watch them." Terry scrubbed his hand over his face. "I can't miss this presentation."
"I could stay with them."
The offer came so quickly that it took him a moment to process.
"Sandra, I can't ask you to—"
"You're not asking. I'm offering."
"It's the whole weekend. That's a lot to take on."
"Terry." Her voice grew quiet but firm. "Are we a couple?"
The question made his chest tight. "Yes."
"Then there will be times I'll be with the kids. Why wait for some perfect moment when they need me now?"
Terry closed his eyes, leaning against the counter. Through the window, he watched Toby shoot the basketball while Emma curled up on the lounger and read. They were good kids. They deserved better than this. Letting out a long breath, he said, "What if it's too much? What if you realize—"
"What if I realize what? That kids are work? That they're not perfect angels?"
"I don't want you to think that's why I'm with you. For help with my kids."
"Give me some credit." Sandra's voice carried a sharp edge. "If I thought you were just looking for a live-in babysitter, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"A whole weekend, though—"
"Will be wonderful. We'll have fun, and everything will be fine."
The certainty in her voice made something tight in his chest loosen. This wasn't just about finding childcare anymore. Sandra was offering to be there for his kids. Really be there.
"You’re sure?"
"I'm sure."
Terry found himself almost smiling despite everything. "Okay. But we need to go over some ground rules first."
"Of course. Should I come over now?"
"Yeah. And Sandra?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. This means everything."
"I know exactly what it means," she said softly. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."
After hanging up, Terry stood in the kitchen for a moment, watching his kids through the window. Emma was twelve going on twenty, all attitude one moment and sweet caring the next. Toby was eleven, still young enough to need guidance but old enough to feel the sting when promises got broken.
Patricia loved them. Terry knew love wasn't always enough when it came second to everything else. Maybe it was time his kids experienced what it felt like to be someone's first priority—besides his own.
"Dad?" Emma's voice called from the living room. "Sandra's here!"
He jerked, surprised at the time passage while he’d stood at the sink.
Through the window, Terry watched Sandra check her reflection in the rearview mirror, smoothing her hair before getting out of the car.
She wore jeans and a soft sweater, moving with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly where she belonged.
"I see her, sweetheart."
And for the first time since Patricia's call, Terry felt like maybe this weekend would work out exactly the way it was supposed to.