work
from the road. I’m not as effective as he is with the programs he
runs, but I’m learning and he thinks we can do it! Which is the
reason that I am calling you…”
“Why?”
“Well, we'll be leaving...”
“Ohhh.”
“And Ava doesn’t know yet. We were
thinking of taking her out to dinner to break the news. How does
the four of us this Saturday at Pow
Pow sound? Let’s say around seven? I’ll
make the reservations. I’d really like to talk with her about
everything in person.”
“When do you plan to leave, exactly?”
“Collin and I both agreed we would stick around until
after the baby is born. We’ll spend the holidays with your family
and then we’re off to Paris for the New Year.”
“Can you wait a while longer before you tell
Ava?”
“Why?”
“Just… she loves you guys and I know she’ll be
thrilled for you both but she is also going to be upset. I don’t
want to add the stress to her right now. Can you give it a few
weeks? Maybe after her big fundraiser or maybe even after the baby
is here?”
“You sure about this?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. House to Home has her
really busy and stressed, the pregnancy is wearing her down, her
nightmares and anxiety are back. If you can hold off on telling
her, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Ok, then. I’m on your side, Ari. I’ll let Collin
know not to say anything and we’ll plan to tell Ava… later…”
“Cool. Thanks. And congratulations again,
August.”
****
“Excuse me, Ari, I’m heading out now.”
A quick glance at my computer screen showed me it was
five past six.
“Are you sure you’re making the right decision?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“What is it you are doing exactly?”
“It’s silly ... I am just pursuing a… passion.”
My eyebrow rose in question making Fauna obligated to
elaborate.
“I feel a little cheated. I wasn’t
supposed to be some girl who answers the phone. I was supposed to
be someone else, do something else with my life. This job was never supposed to
be a forever thing for me. I got what I needed from the position
and it’s time to move forward. Thank you for
everything.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck. You worked hard, we're
going to miss you around here.”
“I’ll miss you too, Boss. But I’ll
be around. Now, I have a huge binder put together for the new girl.
It holds the answer to any questions she may have about you and the
job. All of the external numbers are listed in there as well as in
the computer. I included a detailed sheet of how you like to keep
your calendar, appointments, meetings -- everything . Ava is number one on the
speed dial and your mother is number two. If there are any
questions, I added my cell number so don’t hesitate to call … or
email me … or you know, whatever.”
“Take care, Fauna, and good luck. I hope you get what
you want.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Chapter 10
Spaghetti Sandwich
“Baby?”
I slid my shoes off by the mat.
The breakfast bar had remnants of Max’s dinner. Half
a string cheese, a few broccoli stems and the crust of a turkey
sandwich. Apparently, Ava never got the spaghetti message. The sofa
was empty aside from a forgotten-about iPad wedged between throw
pillows.
“Ava? Baby, I’m home.”
My ears perked up at the sound of a baseball game
carrying down from the bedroom TV. Baseball is their favorite.
“ There you are!”
Ava and Max sat together on our bed. He was lying on
his stomach with his arms and legs fanned out in every direction
while she rubbed his back and tried to soothe him. His eyes were
puffy, red and stained with wet streaks from his tears. “What’s the
matter?”
“He had a nightmare and now he can’t fall back
asleep.”
I leaned down to kiss Ava and then stripped down to
my undershirt and boxers so I could join them in bed. The mattress
sank a bit with my weight and I leaned back against the pile of
pillows stacked up in front of the headboard.
“Come here, Buddy.” Patting
from the road. I’m not as effective as he is with the programs he
runs, but I’m learning and he thinks we can do it! Which is the
reason that I am calling you…”
“Why?”
“Well, we'll be leaving...”
“Ohhh.”
“And Ava doesn’t know yet. We were
thinking of taking her out to dinner to break the news. How does
the four of us this Saturday at Pow
Pow sound? Let’s say around seven? I’ll
make the reservations. I’d really like to talk with her about
everything in person.”
“When do you plan to leave, exactly?”
“Collin and I both agreed we would stick around until
after the baby is born. We’ll spend the holidays with your family
and then we’re off to Paris for the New Year.”
“Can you wait a while longer before you tell
Ava?”
“Why?”
“Just… she loves you guys and I know she’ll be
thrilled for you both but she is also going to be upset. I don’t
want to add the stress to her right now. Can you give it a few
weeks? Maybe after her big fundraiser or maybe even after the baby
is here?”
“You sure about this?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. House to Home has her
really busy and stressed, the pregnancy is wearing her down, her
nightmares and anxiety are back. If you can hold off on telling
her, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Ok, then. I’m on your side, Ari. I’ll let Collin
know not to say anything and we’ll plan to tell Ava… later…”
“Cool. Thanks. And congratulations again,
August.”
****
“Excuse me, Ari, I’m heading out now.”
A quick glance at my computer screen showed me it was
five past six.
“Are you sure you’re making the right decision?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“What is it you are doing exactly?”
“It’s silly ... I am just pursuing a… passion.”
My eyebrow rose in question making Fauna obligated to
elaborate.
“I feel a little cheated. I wasn’t
supposed to be some girl who answers the phone. I was supposed to
be someone else, do something else with my life. This job was never supposed to
be a forever thing for me. I got what I needed from the position
and it’s time to move forward. Thank you for
everything.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck. You worked hard, we're
going to miss you around here.”
“I’ll miss you too, Boss. But I’ll
be around. Now, I have a huge binder put together for the new girl.
It holds the answer to any questions she may have about you and the
job. All of the external numbers are listed in there as well as in
the computer. I included a detailed sheet of how you like to keep
your calendar, appointments, meetings -- everything . Ava is number one on the
speed dial and your mother is number two. If there are any
questions, I added my cell number so don’t hesitate to call … or
email me … or you know, whatever.”
“Take care, Fauna, and good luck. I hope you get what
you want.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Chapter 10
Spaghetti Sandwich
“Baby?”
I slid my shoes off by the mat.
The breakfast bar had remnants of Max’s dinner. Half
a string cheese, a few broccoli stems and the crust of a turkey
sandwich. Apparently, Ava never got the spaghetti message. The sofa
was empty aside from a forgotten-about iPad wedged between throw
pillows.
“Ava? Baby, I’m home.”
My ears perked up at the sound of a baseball game
carrying down from the bedroom TV. Baseball is their favorite.
“ There you are!”
Ava and Max sat together on our bed. He was lying on
his stomach with his arms and legs fanned out in every direction
while she rubbed his back and tried to soothe him. His eyes were
puffy, red and stained with wet streaks from his tears. “What’s the
matter?”
“He had a nightmare and now he can’t fall back
asleep.”
I leaned down to kiss Ava and then stripped down to
my undershirt and boxers so I could join them in bed. The mattress
sank a bit with my weight and I leaned back against the pile of
pillows stacked up in front of the headboard.
“Come here, Buddy.” Patting
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