Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Kai
The rest of the weekend was spent placing furniture where I wanted it. The decor was a whole other situation. Decorating is not my jam. When I place the vase on the table, I walk backwards to look at my handiwork and wonder why I'm even trying.
I’ve felt distracted with visions of Ava. I wanted to ask her to stay, but it didn’t feel right knowing her sister was waiting for her. I’m daydreaming about the next time we’re together, which prompts me to text.
Kai:
Were you serious about helping me decorate the office? I’m thinking I need it.
Holding my phone, I’m wishing this is the one time she responds quickly. A few minutes pass, and I’m locking up—still no text message back.
Tomorrow starts the new venture. I decide to swing by my dad’s house before heading home. We haven’t had much time with all the renovations at the office. I know Blake has seen him because Olivia goes with him when he has work to do, when she’s not playing soccer or in school.
It’s still light out, but the front door light is on. I thud up the stairs, knock, and open the door. “Dad, where are you?”
“In here.” I hear his voice from the living room, almost drowned out by the blasting TV. He turns it down. “Haven’t seen you in a while. How’s the new space?”
I plop down on the couch, legs splayed, and my hands behind my head, leaning back on the couch.
“It’s done. Well, except all the decor Blake and I ordered is haphazardly placed in random places because we were playing decorator.
I know Blake has an eye for things, but he gave no instructions for me. ” I chuckle.
“A little birdie told me there might be someone you could ask.” He turns his head, with an eyebrow raised. Blake can’t keep his mouth shut.
“Dad…don’t listen to what Blake says, it's all lies.” But he knows better.
He turns back to watch the TV, ignoring my response. “Are you opening tomorrow?” Completely changing the subject, he’ll come back to it. He needs to gather some more intel first. I shake my head.
“Yes, for appointments only. I’ll be calling some past clients and realtors to set up coffee meetings. I think networking will be my middle name for a while, until I’m up and running. I already put an ad in for a paralegal. I can’t live without one.”
He laughs. “I’d hire ASAP. Once you start networking, you’ll have clients coming out of your ass.”
“Thanks for the support, Dad. I agree. I wish I had posted it a week or two ago, but I missed out on that as I focused on the build-out.” Or someone named Ava.
“How was the bowling charity event?” He stares at me, waiting for more intel. He’s not sly at all. Ava attending the event, I’m sure, has been the talk of the town, especially with her purchasing the Saxville Coffeehouse.
I lean up, put my elbows on my knees, and clasp my hands. “It was one of the biggest events yet. We don’t have the final tally yet, but I think we more than exceeded our goal for money raised there.”
“That’s great news. I’m proud of you for taking that on.
It must have been time-consuming.” He shifts in his seat to look me in the eyes.
“Very proud of the man you’ve become. Both you and your brother.
We didn’t have it easy, did we? You and Blake have grit and resilience, some of the things that came out of a shitty situation. ”
“Dad, you did what you had to, and we turned out okay…well, more than ok. I’m grateful for everything you’ve instilled in me. Great work ethic, always love those around you, and give back to the community, it all came from you.”
He leans back in his recliner and sighs. “It wasn’t easy when she left us.”
Not sure how we fell into this conversation, but it will be cut short. We aren’t going down the mom memory lane. Neither of us can handle that. There’s too much buried deep inside to dig up those skeletons.
“No, Dad, no, it wasn’t. So, how’s your new bowling league going?” I squeeze his forearm, letting him know it’s okay. After everything she did to him, he still loves her. He’d never get back together, but he will always love the woman she was before she decided a family wasn’t for her.
I remember the days when we’d all be out back throwing the football or when she’d make us special pancakes for breakfast. Then one day she up and left us.
I was twelve, and Blake was fourteen. It was two years later that she showed back up on our doorstep, apologizing profusely for how much of a mistake she had made by leaving us.
But it wasn’t six months later that she left again.
We haven’t seen her since. I honestly don’t even know where she is now.
A single dad raising two boys. If it weren’t for friends, I’m not sure how it all would have turned out. Decades later, the sadness written all over my dad’s face hasn’t changed. He’s still devastated. Blake and I have accepted and moved on as best we can, given the circumstances.
But it’s also been hard for both of us. With Blake’s wife leaving and my long-term girlfriend doing the same, it’s hard to believe the next one won’t do the same.
It’s the one thing that’s hard for me to overlook with Ava.
She’s told me she doesn’t stay. And this turn of events—her staying, us connecting on a real soul level—it’s hard not to think she will up and leave at any moment.
“Hey, where did you go? Oh, there you are.” My dad’s eyeing me.
“Nothing, nah, it’s nothing.” I throw my fingers through my hair and clear my throat.
He eyes me with suspicion. “Don’t want to talk about your mom?”
“Not particularly, it makes you sad, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” I sit back against the couch and sigh.
He jumps into it. “There are some great people in my bowling league. Speaking of bowling, I heard there was a girl there, Ava, I think her name was.” He smirks at me and turns his eyes back to the TV.
He’s not letting it go. “Yes…There was a girl named Ava at the charity event.”
“Either my memory is slipping, or is this the same Ava from a couple of months ago?” He scratches his chin, squinting his eyes at me, waiting for me to break. I’m not saying another word; he’s waiting for me to answer him.
I exaggerate my hum like I’m deep in thought. “Yes, Dad, one and the same. After bowling, I took her to play laser tag, lunch at On the Waterfront, and then a boat ride back to my house.” I clear the lump in my throat. “She’s someone special.”
Admitting that out loud is hard for me, but my dad is always supportive.
When things went to hell with Katrina, he encouraged me to listen to my heart, no matter what.
I tell you that’s the last time I did that, until now.
It devastated me; that whole situation was devastating.
I’m trying not to compare Katrina to Ava…
“I haven’t heard you talk about any girls except Ava. She must be someone very special to have you falling all over yourself…” His eyebrows reach his hairline, and he moves to the edge of his seat. I’m half expecting him to clap his hands.
“I’m in deep.” I shift in my seat, struggling with the possibility that one day she might up and decide this isn't for her. “She’s staying in Saxville, buying the coffeehouse, but hasn’t decided on selling her book and coffee van.
So it’s hard not to think about the what-ifs. Like what if she changes her mind?”
“You like her…a lot, huh?” he says sternly, like it’s a fact.
My hands slide down my face, and I say, “Yeah, I like her. Maybe even in love with her.”
“Oh, okay, now we’re getting somewhere.” He stands up. “So why are you here and not with her?”
I groan. “She’s busy helping her sister with the baby’s room. The co-ed baby shower I went to last weekend, that’s her sister.”
“Ah.” He scratches his chin, then his neck.
My phone chimes with a text message. I take my phone out of my pocket, and when I see her name on my screen, there’s no holding back the smile that spreads across my face. The warm feeling in my chest, and my heart rate skyrockets.
Ava:
100% serious. Will you be there tomorrow morning? I could swing by. Then, if there are any other items you need, I can run out and get them.
“Is that her? I don’t even know why I’m asking. I already know the answer.” He stands up and walks to the kitchen.
“Dad, where are you off to?” I jump to my feet.
He gestures to the door. “You should get out of here. Busy day tomorrow.”
“Okay, I love you. We’ll catch up again.” I take a few steps toward him, and we hug. He slaps me a few times on my back. It’s a comforting hug.
With one last thought, he says, “Love shows up when we least expect it.”