After consulting with her accountant and lawyer, Iris made a one-time payment to Eleanor that included a document the other woman signed to ensure she wouldn’t be back for more. They’ve agreed to speak again in a few months about potentially getting the kids together. Iris is relieved to have that taken care of and to know she doesn’t have to deal with that situation again for a while.
Iris has also been relieved that Rob has started coming around to see the kids again, after more than a month without visiting. The kids were thrilled to see their beloved uncle, and Iris is glad to have him back.
She’s seemed lighter and less burdened lately, which is a relief to me. I’m not sure when exactly it happened, but her happiness—and that of the kids—has become as important to me as my own. As we head toward Christmas, I want to surprise the kids with a trip to Florida for their school vacation week. Before I do that, though, I need to talk to Mimi and Stan about Iris and the kids.
I’ve been putting this off for weeks, but if I’m going to take them with me, I need to talk to Nat’s parents about it first.
It’s my last day in the office before we close on the sale. My stuff is in boxes, ready to be taken home, and I feel like I’m already gone. Over the last month, I’ve sat back and watched everyone move on without me as the new owners held meetings and made plans that don’t include me.
I keep waiting for regret to set in, but so far, all I feel is relief. I’m ready to move on and to see what else is out there for me.
The staff is throwing a farewell party for me at two, and before that, I need to get this call over with. I pick up the phone on my desk and dial Mimi’s cell number from memory.
“Hi there,” she says when she picks up. “I was just telling Stan I needed to call you and see what you’re doing for the holidays.”
“That’s sort of why I called.”
“Are you coming down?”
“I’d like to, if that’s okay.”
“Gage, darling, our home is your home. You know that.”
“I do, but there’s a wrinkle.”
“What kind of wrinkle?”
“The kind where I’ve sort of been seeing someone who has three young kids, and I’d like to bring them with me.” I feel guilty for saying I’ve “sort of” been seeing Iris when I’ve spent every night in her bed for months.
Mimi is quiet for long enough that I begin to squirm. “You still there?” I ask her.
“I’m here, honey,” she says softly. “I knew this would happen eventually, and I’m so happy for you.”
“But still heartbroken, too. I know the feeling.”
“Yes, of course, but I’d love to meet them. Please bring them. It’ll be wonderful to have children in the house again.”
“You’ll love Iris, and the kids are great. Very well behaved and funny.”
“When are you thinking of coming?”
“Maybe the evening of the twenty-fifth, after we have some time with my family and Iris’s?”
“That’d be perfect. Send me their ages and sizes and whatnot so I can have something here for them.”
Her kindness nearly brings me to tears. “You don’t have to do that, Mimi.”
“Yes, I do. I want to. Please let me.”
Her gifts to the girls over the years were the things they loved the most. Nat and I used to joke that Santa couldn’t compete with Mimi. “You’re the best. Have I told you that lately?”
“Not in a while,” she says, laughing.
“I need to do better in the new year.”
“No, you don’t, love. You’re perfect just the way you are, and as much as I miss Nat and the girls—and will for the rest of my life—I’m truly happy to see you picking up the pieces and starting over. Stan and I have hoped for that for you.”
“I wasn’t sure how you’d take this news.”