“Oh.” She began to scan the letter.
“It will be in the first paragraph. Maybe the first line.”
Lina’s eyes widened when she saw the amount. She had been so overwhelmed by the title she had completely missed the salary figure. “One hundred and twenty-five thousand,” she said.
“Not bad,” Adele said.
She heard a beep on the line and saw that Phil was calling. “I’ll call you back,” she said to Adele before switching to Phil. “I got my letter,” she rushed out. “I’m their creative director, and they’re paying me one hundred and twenty-five thousand. Plus a 401(k) and all these other things I can’t remember right now. And they want me to start ASAP. I can’t believe it.”
“Wait. Wait. Slow down, baby. Take a deep breath and repeat everything you just said. I couldn’t understand you.”
Lina slowly repeated what she’d told him. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“Would you forward me the letter? I’d like to read it.”
She nodded. “Okay. And what do I do about Martins? Do I just call and quit, or—”
“No. You send them a letter of resignation. I’ll help you draft that tonight. I’ve got to go into a meeting, but we’ll go out tonight to celebrate. Make reservations at Clyde’s. And make sure you forward me the letter. I’m proud of you.”
***
Phil didn’t like it. It was too much of a commitment. The new position required her to go into an office in Bethesda two days a week. The other days she could work remotely from home. They expected her to travel to trade shows and conventions. Three residential properties were in the works. The first would be opening the following year in Columbia, Maryland, then another in Bethesda a few months later, and the last in New York City. She would be expected to spend time at all three sites.
The only upside Phil could see was that it made Lina happy. That knowledge alone provided enough motivation for him to try to keep his negative thoughts to himself, at least through the celebratory dinner.
“Wait. What did you just say?” he asked, pausing with his beer bottle at his mouth. They were at Clyde’s, one of Lina’s favorite local restaurants, with Logan, Katie, and Matt. He’d intentionally chosen one that was a little out of the way, not wanting any chance of running into Kim.
“I start the first week in November,” Lina said. “Adele said I should give Martins at least two weeks.”
He set the bottle on the table without taking a sip. “You’ve already accepted the position?”
“Of course. Right after I talked to you. Why wouldn’t I accept it?”
“We haven’t discussed it.”
“What’s there to discuss? I want the job. You know that.”
“That was their offer. You’re supposed to take a few days to think about it and then come back with a counteroffer. It’s a negotiation.”
“I don’t need to negotiate. I liked their offer.”
“That offer,” he began, trying to keep his emotions in check, “states that you’re going to spend two days a week in Bethesda. That’s probably an hour commute each way in rush hour. Add that to a nine-and-a-half- to ten-hour workday and you’re talking about being away from the house for twelve hours twice a week.”
“You’re always working,” Katie piped in. “Why shouldn’t she?”
“You’re not part of this discussion,” Phil said.
“Why not? I—”
“Katie,” he warned, frowning across the table at her.
“Who’s going to take me to the bus stop?” Logan asked.
“We’ll figure it out,” Lina said.
“I don’t want Mrs. Ellis driving me. She never stops talking. It’s so annoying,” he complained.
Phil felt a stab of guilt when he saw the sadness overcome Lina’s expression. “We’ll figure out the logistics later. What matters is that Mom has found a job she’s excited about.” He held out his beer. “To Mom, the newest creative director at Dolmar Enterprises.”
Everyone picked up their glasses. Phil was relieved to see the smile return to Lina’s face as they toasted her. “We’re proud of you,” Phil said.
***
“I know it’s going to be an adjustment for you and the kids, but I want to do this,” Lina told Phil after the kids went up to bed later that evening. She was curled into his side on the family-room couch. The television was tuned to a national news channel.
“I know you do.” His arm around her shoulders tightened, and she felt the press of his lips on top of her head. “And you should, but it needs to be three-quarters time at first, at least until Logan has his license. He still depends on you for transportation.”
“I only have to go in twice a week. In a couple of months he’ll be playing lacrosse again, so he’ll come home on the late bus. I can drive in after dropping him off, and then Katie can pick him up.”
“What about when you travel? What if our trips overlap? I’m a partner. My schedule is unpredictable. Knowing you’re home, taking care of everything, that’s a lot off my plate.”
“I have my mom and Adele. Brian’s mom said she’s always available. She doesn’t work.”
“She isn’t their mother. I’ve worked hard so we don’t have to rely on other people to raise our kids. You can start out at three-fourths and we’ll see how it goes.”
Lina’s stomach sank at the thought of calling William and telling him she could only work thirty hours a week. “I don’t even think that’s an option. How would you respond if a lawyer told you they could only work three-quarters of the time? Would you hire them?”
“That’s a little different.”
“How?” She pulled back from him so she could see his face. “How is it different?”
“They’re not my wife. They didn’t agree to stay home and raise my children.”
“Phil, I’m trying to be serious.”
“I am being serious. This staging position worked because it was part time and flexible. You have to be available for the kids.”
“I will be. I’ll be working from home most of the time. I think they can handle me going in to an office twice a week. They’re teenagers.”
“Teenagers probably need as much parenting as toddlers. I don’t want them home alone all the time.”
“It’s two days! You’re being completely ridiculous.”
“Am I?” he asked, his voice getting more intense. “What happened to interior decorating? You told me your plan was to build that up. What changed?”
“Me. I changed my mind. I want this job. And as my husband you should be supporting me, not trying to hold me back.”
“I’m not trying to hold you back. I’m trying to be realistic. You have no idea what kind of commitment you’re agreeing to.”
“Maybe not, but I’m going to find out.”
“He’s unreasonable,” Lina complained to Adele the following day. “Katie is almost out of the house, and Logan gets his license this summer. Why shouldn’t I work?”
“He’ll be fine once he gets used to it,” Adele said. “He probably feels like he’s losing control of you.”
“We went to bed mad. I hate that. When we got back together, I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again, but we couldn’t agree. Can you imagine if I called and told them I could only work part time? Or that my husband said I can’t commute?”
“I can imagine, but I don’t think you’d have a job.”
Lina frowned. “Don’t repeat any of this to William. I assume you’re still talking to him?”
“He sent me a picture of his dick last night. I don’t know if that constitutes talking.”
Lina scrunched up her face in disgust. “That’s so crude.”
“I know.” Adele laughed. “He’s such an asshole.”
Lina decided to make a nice dinner as a kind of peace offering. Phil hadn’t called or texted all day, which was unusual, and she assumed he was still upset with her.
“I found a ride to the bus stop on the days you work,” Logan said after arriving home and going straight to the refrigerator. “So you don’t have to ask Will or Brian’s moms.”
“Who is the ride with?”
“A girl I know. She goes to River Hill. She passes my bus stop on her way to school. We’re not that much out of her way.”
He still hadn’t mentioned his date to her and clammed up when Lina asked about it. “Is it Tiffany? The one you went to the dance with?”
“Yeah.” He turned from the refrigerator with a carton of milk.
“Is she your girlfriend or—”
“We’re friends,” he interrupted.
“That was nice of her to offer, but I think I’ll be able to do it. I’ll just go to work after dropping you.”
“She doesn’t mind,” Logan said. “She wants to take me.”
“It’s a nice option,” Lina said. “But I think we’ll be fine.” She watched him pour himself a glass of milk. He looked more like Phil with his shorter haircut. “Why don’t you have her over?”
“Maybe.” He plopped down into a chair at the kitchen island. “I need you to sign something. It isn’t a big deal, but you have to sign it.” He dug into his backpack and pulled out a sheet of paper. “I’ve already pulled it up.”
Lina’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the progress report. He was getting a D in history. He’d always been a good student, maybe not straight As like Katie and Megan but never anything below a B. “Logan—”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“I think I do. It’s kind of my role as your mother. What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”
“I know. I’m already doing better. Can you just sign it?”
Lina took the pen he was holding out and began to sign the slip. “You need—”
“I will,” he interrupted. “Can you just sign it and not tell Dad? He’ll make it bigger than it is.”
“What will I make bigger than it is?” Phil asked, stepping out of the mudroom.
“You’re early,” Lina said.
“What’s going on?”
Logan’s back was to his father and he was begging Lina with his eyes not to tell him. Of course, it was too late. The paper was in her hand. “He received a progress report.”
Phil was beside them, taking the paper from Lina’s hand. “History? You have a D in history?”
“Phil.” Lina touched his arm. “I’ve already talked to him.”
“I haven’t,” he said, not taking his eyes from Logan. “It’s history. You just have to do the reading and memorize facts.”
“He’s boring. He’s the worst teacher I’ve ever had.”
“I don’t care if he’s boring. School is your job. A D is failing at your job.”
“He gives us twice as much work as the other history teacher,” Logan said defensively. “He acts like we don’t have any other classes.”
“Don’t make excuses. This grade,” he said, shaking the paper, “is a result of you not doing your job.”
“I’m not the only one. Like half the class got—”
“Go get your Xbox and bring it to me.”
“What?” Logan’s eyes widened. “Why?”
“Because you clearly need to spend more time doing your schoolwork.”
“I’m going to bring it up.”
“Good. And when you do you can have it back.” Phil crossed to the refrigerator, opened the door, and reached for a beer.
“That’s not fair,” Logan said to Lina. “I bought it with my own money!”
“Watch your tone,” Phil bit out, turning back to him. “We spend thirty thousand dollars a year on your education. A D in history is unacceptable. You have lost your privilege to play that game until you prove to me that you can handle your job. Now, stop arguing with me and get the goddamn gaming system, or I’ll take it away from you permanently.”
“Don’t you think that was a little extreme?” Lina asked after Logan left the kitchen. “It’s his first progress report.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it was extreme at all. A D in history is pure laziness. He spends too much time playing video games. He’s up there all the time.”
“How about if we just take it away on weeknights and he can have it back Friday to Sunday? It’s not even his report card.”
“Would you have even told me if I hadn’t walked in when I did?”
“What?”
“You heard me.” He leaned back against the counter as he watched her.
“Yes, I would have told you,” she said, not sure whether or not that was true.
“I don’t believe you. You baby him too much. We have to hold him accountable. Sophomore and junior years are the most important when he’s applying to college.”
“I know. I just think it’s too much for a first offense. And with everything going on with the nursery and planning Liam’s first visit, I don’t think we should be so hard on him.”
“Are you saying his grade is because of Liam—”
“No.” She shook her head. “Definitely not. But I think his gaming is his way of relaxing, and I don’t think we should completely strip it from him. I think the weeknights are enough.”
“Lina—”
“Please.” She crossed to where he was standing, sliding her hands beneath his suit jacket. “I may baby him, but you’re too hard on him.”
“I am not too hard on him. My father would have taken away my weekends if I brought home a D.”
“You’re not your father.” She brushed her lips over his. “Just the weeknights. It’s enough.”
He took a moment before he conceded, sighing deeply. “Okay, just the weeknights.”
“What are you doing?” Lina asked when she awoke in the middle of the night to find Phil sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I can’t sleep. I was going to get up and do some work instead of just lie here.”
“Why can’t you sleep?” She propped herself up on her elbow.
“I don’t know.”
“Is it about Logan?”
“No. I just…I don’t think it’s the right time for you to take on this job.”
Of course. He was still upset about the job. “If it doesn’t work with our family, I’ll quit. I just want to try.”
“Why?” He looked back at her. His face was barely discernible in the darkened bedroom. “You used to be happy staying home and taking care of me and the kids. Why isn’t that enough anymore?”
“It is enough, but why can’t I have more? The kids are growing up. Logan will have his license next fall. And I like working. I didn’t know I would, but I do. Why is that wrong?”
“It’s not. It’s just this job. The commute, the travel. Katie may need help applying to colleges, and with Logan’s grades he needs us around more, not less.”
“Katie isn’t going to let me help her, and Logan just had one bad mark. He’ll pull it up. It’s not like I watch him study.”
“Maybe you need to.”
“I really want to do this. How about a three-month trial? At the end of January we’ll reassess.”
“What about the nursery? Are we just going to put that on hold?”
There was almost a resigned quality to his voice, as if he was beginning to believe she was never going to meet Liam. She felt guilty for waiting so long. “No, of course not.” She crawled across the bed to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind and pressing her cheek against the side of his. “It will be done by the end of the month. I was planning to talk to you tomorrow about when to schedule his first overnight.”
“Overnight?”
“Yes. A couple of hours isn’t enough. We should start getting him used to coming here.” She dropped her mouth to his neck, running her lips over his warm skin. “I love you.”
He let her pull him backward until he was lying flat on his back. “I know this isn’t easy f
or you.”
“Shh,” she whispered, positioning herself on top of him, her thighs straddling his hips. “I love you and he’s part of you, so I’ll love him, too.” She could feel the truth of her words as she said them.
He framed her face with his hands, pulling her head down until her forehead was pressed into his. “I love you so fucking much. You know that?”
“I count on it,” she whispered before meeting his lips.
Chapter Eighteen
The following week, after staging a home down the street from her parents’ house, Lina stopped by for a quick visit. “Where’s Drew?”
“He’s a guest lecturer at Hopkins today. I really wish you’d stop calling him Drew. He’s your father. It’s disrespectful.”
“I went more than twenty years without seeing him,” Lina reminded her. “It’s hard to think of him as my father.”
“You call Phil’s father ‘Dad,’ and he’s not your father.”
“True, but he acted like my father.”
“But he’s not your father,” Alice said. “You have a father.”
“Okay. Let’s just drop this. I have enough stress in my life. This is so unimportant.”
“To you maybe, but I know it hurts your father’s feelings.”
Lina didn’t believe that for a second. She doubted Drew even noticed what she called him. “I’m meeting Liam next week.” Just saying it aloud increased her anxiety level. “He’s going to spend Friday night with us.”
“You haven’t met him yet?” Alice joined her at the kitchen table, setting a cup of tea before her.
“No, Mom. I would have told you if I’d met him. It’s just been hard with the kids and—”
“I’d like to meet him. Why don’t we have a family dinner? I’m sure your father and—”
“No,” Lina interrupted. “Not the first visit. After we’re used to him, I’ll invite everyone.”
“I don’t understand why you have to make such a big deal out of this,” Alice said.
“Because it is a big deal. Most normal people would think their husband having a baby with another woman is a big deal. So, can we just agree to disagree on whether or not it’s a big deal?” she asked, annoyance creeping into her voice.
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