“You do know I work this much so we can have everything we want.”
Gina sighed. “I kno
w. Sometimes I really miss you though.”
“I always miss you,” I said, rubbing her cheek. “And one day, we’ll be together as much as we were on this vacation.”
Her eyes lit up. “Promise?”
“Promise,” I said, and I hoped I wouldn’t break my word. I’d figure something out.
Later that day, Gina and I returned home in time for tea. Well, in my case, coffee. I never liked the taste of tea, no matter how many different combinations I tried.
Chloe and Jess were already on the porch chatting when we arrived.
“You two look like you had fun,” Jess said, putting down her mug.
Gina raced over to her. “We did! Look at all the shells I got!”
After building our castle, Gina and I walked along the surf and collected all the “pretty” shells. They spilled over the top of the bucket, and I wondered if we’d left any of them on the beach.
“Those are lovely,” Jess said, looking into the bucket. “I like this purple one.”
“I got that one for you,” Gina said.
“You did?”
“Uh huh!”
Chloe stood up and patted the seat where she just got up from. “Take a seat, and I’ll get you some coffee.”
I sat next to Jess while Gina sorted through her shells on the front lawn.
“I’m really going to miss this place,” I said.
Jess nodded. “Yeah, I forgot how calm it is here. And the people aren’t running about as much as in the city.”
“It’s definitely different,” I noted.
Chloe returned and handed me a mug of coffee.
“Thank you,” I said.
Chloe looked over her shoulder and then sat down on the chair next to us. “For my own curiosities, what are you two? Do you have a label for it yet?”
I shot a look at Gina, but she was too far away from us to hear.
“Mom,” Jess warned.
Chloe shrugged. “Your relationship has progressed in the short time you’ve been here. I want to know that when you leave, my daughter is properly cared for.”
“She—” I started, but Jess silenced me by saying, “Noah, don’t answer that. She’s got her nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Chloe scoffed. “Is it so wrong to have my daughter open up to me?”
“You could have asked me, Mom. Me. You’re making this awkward for everyone now.”
Jess stormed away from us and went to Gina. “Gina, how about a bath before supper?”