Wyatt runs back up to the deck and starts digging around in Moira’s purse. He returns with a thick roll of red tickets, his eyes brimming with hope and dollar signs.
“I want whatever I can get for a thousand,” my dad declares.
Wyatt’s eyes grow wide. “A thousand dollars?”
“Is that not enough?” My dad has no concept that this kind of money is more than most kids ever think of. At least for kids that don’t grow up in Beverly Hills.
“Yeah, no, I mean, that’s a ton!” Wyatt exclaims. “But I don’t have a thousand tickets here. I’ll need to get more, and the drawing is tomorrow night.”
My dad hands over the cash. “Just get them to me before the drawing.”
Wyatt glances up at me as though looking for permission to take that kind of money. I nod at him. “My dad’s a huge LeBron fan.”
Beaming, Wyatt takes the money and hands my dad the roll of tickets. “There were five hundred, but I already sold fifty-five, so I’m going to owe you …”—he taps his head while thinking—“four hundred and forty-five. I think.”
My dad nods. “Give them to Ethan, and he’ll bring them home to me.”
Wyatt blinks rapidly like he can’t believe this just happened. “Thanks, Mr. Caplan!” He turns to me and adds, “You’ve got the best dad ever!”
“Yes, I do,” I tell him, ruffling his hair.
We watch as he runs off to catch up with his brothers and Moira who are halfway to the parking lot by now. My dad puts a hand on my shoulder. “What a nice family.”
“They sure are,” I tell him. And even though Moira and I didn’t get a chance to go off on our own, I still feel a world closer to her through her kids.
My dad interrupts my thoughts. “Their life would be a lot better off with you in it.”
My heart stops for a second, knowing he’s seeing the truth of what’s going on between me and Moira. “We’ve both had a lot of disappointment, Dad. Me with Paige and Moira with her husband.” For some reason I don’t mention her parents. I guess it’s my way of offering her a bit of dignity.
“So, what? You don’t try because you’ve been let down in the past. That’s the definition of quitter, son.”
“I just don’t want to disappoint her anymore,” I tell him.
“Then don’t. You’re a big boy, Ethan. Don’t make the mistake of not going after something you want because you’re afraid.” He punches me playfully on the shoulder while reciting his life’s motto. “Wusses don’t win wars.”
“Smart people don’t engage in battles they can’t win,” I counter.
“Anybody can win a battle if they have the proper motivation and determination.”
We could go on like this all night. I finally ask my dad, “What would Mom think?”
“Who cares what she thinks? She’s made her choices in life, it’s time you do the same.” He starts to walk up the stairs to the deck before turning back around. “Your mom and I love you, Ethan, and we’ll always support you. We might give you hell at times, but that’s only so you’ll think things through before making a decision.”
“You mean like taking time off to write a book?”
He nods his head. “I think you made the right choice there and I know you’ll make the right choice regarding Moira.”
Chapter27
Moira
“You sold himhowmany tickets?” I slam a plate of Grandma Adele’s famous scrambled eggs down in front of Wyatt.
“A thousand dollars’ worth!” Ash answers before his brother can. “Can you believe it?”
“You cannot take that kind of money from Ethan’s dad.” I shake my spatula at Wyatt for emphasis.
“What? Why?” my oldest full-on sputters. “Of course, I can. He’s a huge LeBron fan and he wants to win that jersey.”