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“I asked how soon you are planning to leave after the funeral.”

Robin shifts in her chair next to me, and I put an arm around her waist and leave it there.

“I have to be out of my rental by Monday.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Darlene says, her brows furrowed. “Although I am sure you spend a lot of time there.” Her tone indicates that she knows very well that I have not spent a single night there since Robin and I got together.

“I will probably leave Monday,” I say, a pit forming in my stomach. “But, like, I won’t be gone like I was before.”

I hate this so much. I just hope the conviction in my voice reassures both of them.

When I arrived earlier this summer, I couldn’t wait to leave, and now I’m dreading my departure. It feels like a lifetime ago, and everything seems so different now. Who would have predicted that I’d meet the woman of my dreams here?

Robin’s phone vibrates in her pocket, and she quickly pulls it out. “Sorry,” she mumbles, and I see “MOM” at the top of the screen. “It’s my mom. I’ll call her back later.”

“No, no,” Darlene reassures her. “Pick up. We don’t mind.”

“I’ll go talk to her on the porch,” Robin says, hurrying out of the room.

She’s barely gone for two seconds before Darlene flashes me a wicked smile from across the table. “Who would’ve guessed that planning a funeral could lead to such a romantic love affair?”

“The funeral in itself didn’t,” I say darkly.

“Humph,” she says dramatically. “Here I was about to take credit that my funeral is the reason you fell in love.”

“I know what you’re doing, and I’m not falling for it,” I grumble, taking a sip of water.

“It’s alright if you haven’t figured it out yet.” She leans forward and looks at me intently. “But I do want to tell you something while we’re alone. Don’t hide because of your dad.”

“I’m not––”

“You are. And it’s okay. You were so young when you left. I’m sure it was all very overwhelming, and it was the only way you could deal with it. But I want you to stop making decisions based on your father’s mistakes.”

My eyes widen. My father’s mistakes? What does she know? When I was eighteen, all I told her was that I was fighting with my dad. I never told her why. I never told anyone the real reason. Well, anyone but Robin.

I swallow.

“Look,” she continues with a sigh, “you have the tendency to want to make amends for other people’s mistakes. You take care of people, which is not a bad thing, but don’t lose yourself in that. Remember who you are and what you want in life. Make decisions based on where you want to go and not what you want to run from.”

“I’m not running,” I say weakly. “But I have a life in New Mexico.”

“And I am not saying you should give that up. All I am saying is please do not run from what you truly want, because then your dad will win. You shouldn’t have to hide because of him. I know you probably can’t stand to face him, but I don’t think you’ll be able to stand what he’ll take from you if you keep letting his failures redirect your life.”

“I mean, besides me deciding to move away, he hasn’t redirected my life.”

But I know that’s not true. It’s not just that I live in a different state now. I missed out on time with Darlene. I missed out on years of friendship with Mike. I missed out on a relationship with my mother. I missed out on Jon’s support that might’ve encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

The only thing I gained was Mira. I wouldn’t want to change that, but what if I could’ve had a relationship with my sister without having to give up everything else too?

“Well, I’m glad you came back for me. I hope you know that you’re always welcome here. And that if you want, you can always come back for however long you like. You don’t have to hide from this place anymore. You were not the one who made a mistake.”

I smile. “Yes, I––thank you. As much as I didn’t want to come back, I’m glad I did. It did heal some … some wounds. Gave me new perspective. And I met Robin.”

Darlene beams at me. “And you seem very happy with her.”

“I am,” I say, a small tug pulling at my heart.

I think about Darlene saying I wouldn’t be able to stand what I’d lose if I keep hiding. There’s no way I’m letting myself lose Robin. I just need more time. Time to figure out how to make this all work.