“Fine. I’ll be in the bedroom.”
I watched him go, my stomach churning.
“Mommy,” Natalie said as she tugged on my jeans.
I looked down at her. “Okay, honey. Just a minute.” In the kitchen I worked on autopilot, preparing dinner for our family like I did every night. When it was ready, I told Natalie to get daddy.
When he came in, he didn’t look any happier than he’d looked when he’d left the room.
At dinner the children kept us distracted, allowing us to put off discussing the issue until they’d gone to bed. Once it was just the two of us, there was no more ignoring the problem.
“We need to figure this out, Lily,” Marcus said as he got ready for bed.
I knew he was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. All evening I’d mulled over the idea of moving in with Marcus’s parents and renting out our house. I didn’t like it any better now than I had when he’d first proposed it, but over the last couple of hours I’d come to accept that there was not a better solution.
“Can we just have the renters sign a month to month agreement?” I asked.
Marcus looked at me in surprise. “So you’ll do it?”
I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. “I don’t know what else we can do.” Unhappiness came through in my tone.
Marcus walked over to me and put his hands on my upper arms. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Lily. And I promise I’ll make things better.” His voice softened. “I just need a little more time.”
He kissed me and I let him enfold me in his arms. The fight was over. I wasn’t thrilled with our decision, but at least a sense of peace had settled back over our home.
As I lay in bed, struggling to fall asleep, I turned to Marcus. “What do we have to do now?”
“I’ll arrange for a storage place,” he said as he looked at me. “For us to put our things in.”
I hadn’t even consider all the packing I would have to do. Overwhelmed by my new to-do list, any hint of sleep I’d begun to feel vanished. A short time later I heard Marcus softly snoring and I kind of resented it. Everything had gone the way he’d planned, but it seemed I was the one left to deal with the real work.
The next morning I began to rethink my agreement to move in with his parents.
What if I can work it out so I can earn some money? Could we stay in our house then? How much would we need to get by?
After feeding the children breakfast, I loaded them into my car and drove to Billi’s, the boutique where I used to work, and my first web design client. I knew Billi often worked in the mornings, so I hoped I’d catch her there.
“Hello, Lily,” she said when I walked through the door. She was arranging a display, but when she saw me she hurried over to give me a hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good. What about you? Your shop looks super cute, as usual.”
“Thanks. Business is good.” She reached out and touched Jackson’s hand. “He’s getting big.”
“I know. Just like his father.” Love for Marcus pulsed through me. He was such a good father to our children, and he was good to me. I wanted to support him, and talking to Billi was a first step in helping our family to potentially stay in our home.
“What brings you in today?”
I smiled nervously. “Actually, I was wondering how things are going with your website. I’ve decided to get back into web design, and you were the first one I thought of.”
The happiness on her face dimmed. “I’m so sorry, Lily, but I just renewed my contract with my IT person.”
“That’s okay,” I quickly said. “I just thought I’d check with you.”
“If things don’t work out with him, I’ll definitely come to you.”
“Thanks, Billi. I appreciate it.”
We chatted for a few more minutes before I left. Discouraged that Billi didn’t need my help, but not surprised, I again regretted stopping my business the year before.
With little hope, I spent the rest of the morning visiting the other business owners I’d worked with, but they all had the same response. I briefly considered trying to find new clients, but knew that would take time I just didn’t have—taking care of my children truly was a full-time job.
Resigned to Marcus’s solution, I drove home.
Chapter 8
“I posted an ad online to rent our house,” Marcus said when he got home that night. “And I picked up boxes so we could start packing.”
Great. The weight of all that I had to do settled over me, and a fresh bout of resentment set in. This wasn’t a move to my newly purchased house like the last time I’d moved, so there was none of the excitement I’d felt before. In fact, I dreaded this move. Trish and I got along fine, but that didn’t mean I wanted to share a house with her. Especially her house. I knew I would feel like a visitor. It would not be the same as being in my own house.
Yet I couldn’t deny the generosity that she and Jeff were showing us. Even so, I felt like I was moving under protest.
“When are we making this move?” I asked Marcus.
“As soon as possible. That way we can get the house rented out.”
I held back a sigh.
“What do you want to pack first?” Marcus asked.
I didn’t want to pack anything at all, but I knew I had to get over that. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“How about the kitchen?” Marcus asked, not showing any anxiety about this move at all. “That’s probably where we’ll need to do the most packing.”
“The kitchen? But I use it every day.”
Marcus scrubbed his hands over his face. “What would you suggest then?”
Seeing Marcus get frustrated actually made me feel a little better. Now he was beginning to get an idea how I felt. “You’ll need to pack all your tools. Why don’t you start there?”
“Fine.” He spun away from me and headed towards the garage.
I shook my head as I watched him go.
That weekend we worked hard, packing up the kitchen, the kids’ rooms, and everything else we thought we could put in storage. Then Marcus and a friend of his hauled all of the boxes, along with our furniture, to the storage unit.
As I walked from empty room to empty room, sadness welled up inside me.
When will we be able to come back to our home? What if we have to sell the house?
That idea really depressed me.
Greta ran past me, enjoying the open space. Natalie giggled as Greta’s tail swung in an arc and brushed against her face.
Now that we’d packed everything up, the house was ready to be rented. Marcus, knowing how unhappy I was with this whole thing, had offered to clean the house all by himself. I’d agreed without offering my help. Besides, someone had to take care of the children.
When Marcus and his buddy returned from their last trip to the storage unit, they loaded up everything we would take to his parents’ house and headed over there. The children, Greta, and I were supposed to follow, but I lingered a few minutes longer, reluctant to leave.
“Where daddy go?” Natalie asked.
“He went to Grandma’s house. We’re going there too. Would you like that?”
She nodded, eagerness clear in her eyes.
I wished I was as excited as she was. With a final look around, I gathered the children and Greta and headed to my car.
When we pulled up to Jeff and Trish’s house, Marcus and his buddy were busy carrying in our belongings. With Jackson in one arm and Greta’s leash held in my hand, I led Natalie towards the front door.
Marcus’s father Jeff was helping Marcus unload.
“Hello, Lily,” Jeff said when he saw me. “Looks like you have your hands full.” He set down the box he’d been carrying and came over to me, then reached for Jackson. “How about you let me hold this little guy?”
With gratitude, I handed him over.
He stared steadily into my eyes. “How are you dealing with all this?”
H
is sincere concern touched me and tears pushed against the backs of my eyes. I blinked a few times, forcing the tears away, before answering. “I appreciate you and Trish letting us move in. It’s very generous of you.”
“That’s not what I asked,” he said with a knowing smile.
I laughed. I’d always liked Jeff. When Trish had become hysterical at the news that Marcus wanted to marry me—a widow with a child—Jeff had remained calm and steady. “It wasn’t my first choice,” I said with a small smile.
“That’s what I thought.” He grinned. “You’ve always been quite independent, Lily. I’m sure this isn’t easy for you.” His eyes softened. “We appreciate you supporting Marcus in this venture of his.” His lips quirked into a smile. “Despite the challenges.”
“He’s my husband. Of course I support him.” I talked a good game, but Marcus knew how I really felt.
“Come on in,” Jeff said. “ Let’s get you settled.”
I followed him into the house, trying to keep Greta from jumping on everyone in her excitement at being in a new place. Did she remember this neighborhood? After all, we used to live right next door. Then I wondered who lived there now.
I headed toward the stairs, but Trish intercepted me.
“Let’s put Greta outside,” Trish said with a smile.
Trish kept her house immaculate. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work to have two small children here, not to mention a dog.
Just another issue for me to deal with.
“Okay.” I smiled in return to show I understood, then I led Greta outside where she immediately began exploring.
Trish’s eyebrows pulled together as she watched Greta. “She’s not going to dig up my flowers is she?”
I couldn’t guarantee anything, but I wasn’t about to tell Trish that. I was sure it would be difficult enough for her to have me and the children there without also worrying about my dog and what she might do to her yard.
We left Greta to explore as I mentally crossed my fingers that she wouldn’t destroy anything on her first day here, then I took Jackson back from Jeff before following Trish upstairs.
“You and Marcus will be in here,” Trish said as she pointed to one of her two guest rooms. “And the children will be in the other guest room.”
I looked in both rooms and thought they looked fine, but they weren’t home. Not wanting to think about our current situation, I turned to Trish with a question. “Who lives in my old house now?”
“It’s a young couple with a baby. She’s new to the area—kind of like you were when you moved here. I’m sure she’d love to make a new friend.”
I decided I would stop by first thing Monday morning and introduce myself. I could use the distraction. Besides, it would give me a good reason to get out of this house, at least for a while.
“No, Natalie,” I said as she began jumping on the bed. “No monkeys jumping on the bed.”
She giggled, but kept jumping.
“It’s okay,” Trish whispered. “She’s too little to do any damage.”
I looked at Trish in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“I want you to feel at home, Lily.”
My surprise deepened, but I appreciated her welcoming attitude. “If she—” I gestured toward Natalie with my head. “If she gets to be too much, please let me know.” I was moving here in protest, but for all I knew, Marcus had had to convince his parents to let us move in. Maybe Trish wasn’t any more excited about it than I was.
“She’s only two,” Trish said with a smile. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
We spent the rest of the weekend getting settled, and I could tell it was going to be an adjustment—it seemed Marcus or I were constantly telling Natalie not to touch something or not to scream. Jeff and Trish kept smiles on their faces the whole time, but I could only imagine how they really felt.
At least Greta had behaved relatively well. She was used to being in the house with us, so she was unhappy when we wouldn’t let her in as often as she wanted, but after a while she lay on the back porch with her head resting on her paws as she gazed at us through the glass door.
Seeing her there, and knowing what a wonderful dog she was, I wanted to protest and insist that she come inside with us. But it wasn’t my house.
Chapter 9
Right after breakfast on Monday morning I loaded the children into the double stroller, then with Greta on her leash, we set out for a walk. I wanted to meet the woman who lived in my old house, but I was worried it was too early to knock on her door, so we strolled down the street for half an hour before turning back.
Greta seemed particularly happy to be out and about with us, and she sniffed everything within leash distance.
“Do you remember going on walks here, girl?” I asked as she stopped to inspect one particularly interesting bush. Jackson and Natalie were content to enjoy the scenery, and I wondered how long they would be content before I’d have to take them back to Jeff and Trish’s house. It didn’t feel like home yet—nowhere close to home—but it’s where we lived. At least for now.
Over the weekend Marcus had been true to his word and had cleaned our house thoroughly, and had even shown it to a couple of people who had responded to the ad. As much as I wanted to move back home, I hoped we could rent our house quickly. At least that way we would get the money to pay the mortgage.
The sun warmed me as I headed back to Trish’s house, and when I reached the driveway leading to my old house, I paused as I gazed at the place. It looked just like it had when I’d lived there, and after a moment, I wheeled the stroller up the drive. It was after nine, so I hoped the woman would be ready for a visitor.
As I approached the house, memories swam into my mind—good and bad—and I had to stop a moment to let them work their way through me.
A few moments later I knocked on the front door. It felt strange to have to knock, as I’d come through that door so many times in the past. Footsteps approached, and then the door opened. A woman in her twenties with auburn hair and sparkling green eyes greeted me, her face curious.
“Good morning,” I said. Greta strained to go inside and I kept a tight grip on her leash. This was her first home, and the smells were familiar. “My name’s Lily. I’m Jeff and Trish’s daughter-in-law.” With my free hand, I gestured in the direction of Marcus’s parents’ house. “We just moved in with them. Temporarily,” I was quick to add. Then I smiled. “Trish said a woman my age lived here, so I thought I’d stop by and say hello.”
A smile of pleasure curved her mouth. “I’ve heard about you. Trish told me you used to live here.”
The welcoming look on her face warmed me. “Yes. About a year and a half ago.”
“Would you like to come in?” Her gaze skimmed over Greta.
“If this is a good time, sure.” I smiled. “If it’s okay with you, perhaps Greta can go out back.”
“That would be fine.” She laughed. “She’s probably familiar with the yard.”
Pleased that she didn’t object to my suggestion, my smile grew. “Yes, she certainly is.”
“My name’s Jordan, by the way.”
I reached into the stroller to help the children out, and Jordan offered to take Greta’s leash. After I set Natalie on the ground, I lifted Jackson out, then followed Jordan inside. Deja vu washed over me as I glanced around the familiar space. Besides the furniture being different, it looked pretty much the same as when I’d lived there.
We went out back where Jordan undid Greta’s leash. Greta bounded away, off to explore her favorite places.
“Trish said you have a baby?” I said as I took the leash from her.
“Yes. Gabe is four months old. He’ll probably wake up any time now.”
We sat on the back porch, enjoying the pleasant morning as we chatted. Jordan had lived in the California Central Valley her entire life, but had moved into the house right after Gabe had been born.
“Does Mary still own the house?” I asked.
&
nbsp; “Yes. She and her husband seem really nice.”
“Did she tell you about the secret room?”
Jordan’s eyebrows rose. “Secret room? I’m intrigued.”
I laughed, pushing away the memory of the time I’d had to use it to hide from Trevor when he’d been searching for me and Natalie. “Yes. You get to it through the closet in the smaller bedroom.”
“Oh! We should go check it out as soon as Gabe wakes up.” She looked at me with wide eyes. “How did you discover it?”
“I was pregnant with Natalie,” I said as I glanced at my two-year-old, who ran after Greta on the grass, “and when I was painting her closet, I noticed light around the edges of a small door. I managed to get the door open, and I found the room.”
“Wow. That is so cool.”
“Mary offered to change the doorway so that I could access it from the hall, but I told her not to worry about it.” It was a good thing. I’d needed that secret room. “If you ask her, I’ll bet she’d fix it for you so that you have another room.”
“That would be nice. My husband has to work from home sometimes, so he’d probably like an office space.”
A short time later her baby woke up. We left Greta in the backyard, but brought Natalie and Jackson inside while Jordan fed her baby. When she was done, she brought me up to Gabe’s room.
“I’m dying to see this secret room, Lily.”
I laughed at the excitement in her voice. With all the stress I’d felt lately, it had been a while since I’d enjoyed myself so much. I slid open the closet door, then pointed to the bottom right corner where the small door stood. “It’s through there.”
Jordan lay Gabe in his crib, then got on her hands and knees, moved the door aside, and crawled through. “Oh,” she said, her voice clearly audible. “It’s big in here.” Then she coughed. “Although a bit dusty.” A moment later she came back into Gabe’s room. “I would definitely love to have the use of that room.” She picked Gabe up from his crib and turned to me with a questioning look. “So you told Mary not to make the change?”
“It was just Natalie and me, so we didn’t need the extra space.” Her brow furrowed deeper, and I smiled. “It’s a long story.”
Lily's Story: The Complete Saga Page 76
