Almost a Family

Kim looked away and Molly felt a brief stab of guilt. Kim didn’t even know where the lowlife was now. Sara had never even met her father. Probably never would.

“You know I wouldn’t want that for either of you.”

“Neither do I. I was wrong to leave things as I did. I know that. I admitted it to Jason, even. I didn’t want to leave things so badly this time. I went over to talk to him last night, but I realized nothing has changed with him. He still wants me to fit into his plans for a perfect life. And that’s why I’m leaving.” Tears threatened again. “I’m not leaving because I’m some cold-hearted career woman. I’ve been hurt enough, surely you can see that much.”

Kim came forward and wrapped her arms around her sister. “I’m sorry, Mol,” she whispered. “I just got used to having you back. Now you’re leaving again, and I want you to stay. You’re all the family I have.”

Molly sniffled loudly. “I know, and I’m sorry I’ve been selfish and stayed away so long. I wasn’t going to tell you this but… I’m quitting my job. I want to come home. Maybe not here—it’d be too awkward—but closer. Closer to you and Sara.”

“And closer to Jason.”

“That’s over. We ended everything last night.”

Kim tipped up Molly’s chin. “He doesn’t know you’re coming back.”

Molly shook her head. “No. He did exactly the same thing, Kim. Presented me with this whole plan of how my life would go for the next few years. Didn’t even ask what I wanted. I can’t do it.”

Kim hugged her again. “I know.”

They pulled apart, smiling self-consciously. Not in years had they shown so much affection, been as honest with each other.

“There’s more to life than climbing the corporate ladder. I think I’m ready to see that now. That and whatever else life has to offer.”

“My big sister is growing up,” Kim quipped, breaking the tension and making them both laugh.

“I’ve gotta go,” Molly said sadly. “I need to return my rental and get checked in. You know the drill.”

“You’re sure you don’t want us to come with you?”

“I’m sure. I said my goodbyes to Jason last night, and I want to get on that plane without crying. If you and Sara are there, I’ll lose it for sure. But I’ll call you and let you know my plans as soon as I can.”

Sara came back downstairs, blonde curls brushed prettily and flashing her newly cleaned teeth. “See, Aunt Molly? I did it like you showed me.”

Molly smiled. “That’s right, sweet thing.” Her voice broke a bit as she used one of Jason’s pet names for her niece. “Listen, I’ve got to go now. But you be a good girl for your mom, okay?” She knelt down and hugged Sara’s warm body, filling with bittersweet joy as the little arms squeezed around her neck. “I promise it won’t be so long before I see you again.” She kissed the baby-soft cheek pressed so close to her own.

“I’ll miss you.”

“Oh, I’ll miss you, too. More than you’ll know. Thanks for being such a good girl for me while Mom was in the hospital.”

Molly put on her overcoat, the one she’d worn when she’d come home, and twisted the scarf around her neck.

“Okay. Just a ’til next time, then. I’ll call you when I get in to Calgary.”

Kim stayed where she was, keeping the moment as light as they possibly could. “Thank you, for everything. We couldn’t have managed without you.”

“Anytime,” Molly answered and, with a false smile, grabbed her suitcase and lugged it through the door to the waiting car.

*

Jason poured another cup of coffee from the office pot, grimacing at how thick and black the brew seemed to be today. He needed it, though. He’d stayed up most of the previous night, replaying his goodbye to Molly.

Maybe he should have fought more, tried harder. But he hadn’t, because somewhere in the back of his mind he’d known she was

right, and it had cut his argument off at the knees. Now he was in the middle of his work day, keeping appointments and doing what he did best…healing. Although why he was so competent healing animals but not dealing with his own problems, he didn’t understand.

Pouring the remainder of his caffeine sludge down the sink, he went to his next appointment. Work had always been his panacea, the one thing that grounded him, and he knew he’d been right to follow his dream of becoming a vet. Normally, his troubles evaporated when he was here at the clinic he’d started on his own. But now, when his mind should be on work, he couldn’t escape the sad look in Molly’s eyes last night. She hadn’t been angry, just accepting. Knowing exactly what he would say because he’d been thinking the same way he had when he’d proposed all those years ago.

He wanted a family, a wife and a couple of kids running around. A haven to come home to at the end of the day. It was what he’d always wanted, ever since his brother had died and his parents had changed.