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Dwight’s daughter, Jen, runs up to Elijah and demands he come see the coolest starfish that she found, and they’re off like a shot.
I relax back on my hands, letting the water rush back and forth over my legs.
The last day on the beach flows with a kind of ease that I haven’t experienced in so long. There’s little to worry about here when you’re just sitting among the waves and watching the day go by.
Dwight and Mallory are relaxing on some lawn chairs, and I can see the bliss on their faces. I imagine it can be difficult to find time like this, even if there are two of you there to help get things done.
They seem truly content as the kids play in the sand and point out various forms of sea life to us. While Elijah is very distracting with his endless energy and utter joy, I still feel a pinch behind my sternum when I watch my contractor and his wife.
I once had what they have now. At least, I thought I did.
But the truth is, it never felt that easy with Natasha. I didn’t ever feel like I could relax and just be myself.
And I definitely should have noticed that red flag sooner.
Eventually, it’s time to head back to the hotel so we can make another overnight flight, but the gratitude I have for being able to do this with Elijah is enormous.
And I never would have made it a real priority if it weren’t for Liv reminding me how important it is.
Liv.
My heart sinks as I remember how we left things. She was so distraught after whatever Natasha did, and I can’t help but to feel like it’s my fault.
After all, she’s my fucking ex, and if it weren’t for the rough divorce I’ve been going through, she wouldn’t have practically run out of the house.
I haven’t heard back from Liv at all. My texts still remain unread. It’s unlike her to completely avoid me, and I have to admit, I’m getting a bit worried.
Natasha has always had a way of zeroing in on a person’s biggest insecurity and pushing that button like she’s dropping a bomb.
Liv is the last person on the planet who deserves that kind of treatment from such a bitch of a woman. Liv and also, of course, Elijah, who apparently Natasha has in her sights as well.
I truly don’t understand what I did to make her hate me so much, aside from not submitting to her every beck and call and keeping a tighter leash on money than I think Henry does.
I guess that’s enough.
As we drive back from the beach, I know I’m being especially quiet, but just as I look back to check if Elijah has noticed, I see in the rearview mirror that he’s fast asleep. Running around all day will do that to you.
I let him nap in the car until we get to the hotel and have to pack. But I also do him the favor of carrying him up to our room.
Elijah wakes enough to manage packing by himself, but I can tell he could definitely still sleep. As he finishes and I zip up my bag, ready to go, I decide I want to do one more thing before the flight.
I want to call Liv.
It takes a second of me staring at her number on the screen before I finally work up the nerve to hit the call button. The dial tone changes to actually dialing, and then it rings.
Two rings go to three, then four, and then five.
Just as I assume I’m going to have to leave a message, she picks up.
“Hello, Noah.”
I release a breath that I’d been holding onto a little tighter than I thought and smile to myself. Hearing her voice feels better than it probably should.
“Hi. How are you doing? Still feeling off?”
“Yeah, a bit. But it’s not bad.”
Her voice is clipped tight, like she doesn’t want to talk.
