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A million questions swirled on my way to the airport with Piper. She was so grown, yet still so naive. What if her family in Frankfurt wasn’t good to her? What if she hated it and wanted to come home? What if the money I set aside for spending wasn’t enough? I didn’t have any answers but had a million worries. However, because I wanted Piper to enjoy these moments of independence, I locked down my fears.

We stood at the terminal. Her mom tutted while handing off Piper’s baggage.

“I have to go to security now,” Piper said. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Brynn laughed. “This is an adventure.”

I forced a smile. “It will be great. Just call us when you get there.”

“It’s going to be like three AM.”

“I don’t care,” I said. “Call me. I will text your mom.”

Brynn didn’t even argue. She knew I would follow through. Besides, she’d rather Piper wake me.

“I love you, Dad,” Piper gave me a big hug. “I promise I will take care of myself and you’re worried about nothing.”

“I love you, too,” I breathed in her strawberry-smelling shampoo and told myself she’d do great.

“Come here,” Brynn beckoned. “I love you, too.”

“I know,” Piper said. “Don’t cry. I love you back. I promise it will be good and I’ll see you at Christmastime. Now, before you both lose it and embarrass me, I’m leaving.”

“Fine,” I agreed. “Better do it now.”

She turned, walked to security, and waved before passing through the scanners.

“Our baby is leaving,” Brynn said. “Are you okay?”

“Not at all!” I laughed, nervously. “But we’re okay.”

Brynn and I rode together with Piper. We drove back to Chloe’s first since it was on the way. Brynn drove back in her expensive new Audi—a trophy she was most proud of. It was awkward, but thankfully not a long drive.

“Our baby is fully grown,” I said. “And I hate it.”

“Aren’t you glad to be out of the baby stage? I remember a time when you said you were counting the days until Piper was out of diapers, then in kindergarten, and now we’re looking down the barrel of eighteen. Won’t you be happy to be allowed to have a life?”

“I have a life. Thank you very much!”

“Horses are not a life.”

“One, I disagree. Two, it’s not just horses.”

“Family does not count as a social life. You should date,” Brynn said. “Find someone while Piper is away.”

“Three months isn’t much time to find someone, Brynn,” I blanched.

“And if you never try, you won’t find.”

I set my jaw and looked out at traffic.

“Oh, you’re upset I’m meddling. This is why nothing ever works⁠—”

“I’m not,” I said. “No. I’m… I’m not upset with your meddling. Back then, I was, but not now.”

She didn’t respond. Brynn knew her poking and prodding to get me to go “live a little” had been wrong. Perhaps she thought that was why we ended things, but that wasn’t it. It was over long before her suggestions that I just go “fuck someone else”. I knew it was just a way to make herself feel better about cheating, but it was the symptom of a dead bedroom—not the cause.

“I’m sort of seeing someone,” I said. “Piper doesn’t know.”