Page 18 of Buttons

I run my hand through his curls. “Let’s go see what your sister found.”

The second and third bedrooms are large, though small compared to their individual suites at the house. Here, they still have their own rooms, just less space overall. Leo and I find Meredith already sprawled across her new bed, bouncing her unicorn against the headboard.

“I get this one,” she announces. “The other one is for babies who are afraid of the dark.”

“Meredith,” I warn.

Leo’s lip trembles. “I’m not a baby.”

I squeeze Leo’s shoulder. “It’s okay to be careful. Tonight, we’re all sleeping in the big room, anyway.”

“I won’t fall out, will I?”

“No. These beds are low to the ground. You’re safe.”

“Okay. Tonight I’ll sleep in your bed. Tomorrow, I’ll be brave.”

I had planned on making a run to the market on the ground floor. I wanted to find crossword puzzles and the specific cubed cheese the kids like, but I am absolutely exhausted.

The cheese can wait.

It is a tradition we started last year. I would cut sharp cheddar into perfect cubes, though sometimes Meredith would ask for triangles or circles. We would sit on the sofa and work through our puzzles. Crosswords for me. Word searches for Meredith. Sudoku for Leo.

Once the children are changed and their teeth are brushed, we collapse into a tangled heap on the king-sized bed in the primary suite. The city lights of Seattle shimmer through the sheer curtains, but I am asleep before I can even count them.

Light floods the room, bouncing off the white walls. Meredith is sprawled diagonally across most of the bed, while Leo is curled against me. I walk into the kitchen and find a sleek, stainless steel French press in the cupboard. After making a pot of coffee, I stand by the window, watching the tide come in.

I grab my phone and dial the number I know by heart.

Virginia answers on the second ring. “Julian Plaza’s office.”

Her voice is so familiar. It’s the professional tone we both perfected over years of answering calls for Julian, though me more than her. Truthfully, I know Virginia is a bit scatterbrained, but Iseesomething in her. Her sharp business skills just need to be honed and organized. I’d hoped that with a little bit of direction, she’d grow as a professional and even move to a different department, like marketing or sales.

She just needs the confidence to do so.

I close my eyes and match her tone. “Virginia, it’s Elowen.”

A pause. “Elowen. Are you…” Her voice drops to a concerned whisper. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m calling professionally.” I cut her off before she can ask invasive questions. “I need to formally resign my position, effective immediately.”

“I see.” She clears her throat. “There are procedures for this, of course. Paperwork. I’ll need to transfer your files.”

“Yes, all my files are good to go. The Henderson proposal is ready for presentation. The quarterly reports are completed. There are notes on everything else in the shared drive.” My voice doesn’t waver.

“This is unexpected.” Another pause. “Julian hasn’t mentioned anything.”

“This decision is mine, not his.” The first crack in my professional veneer. I take a breath. “I’ve forwarded my resignation letter to HR. I’ve also transferred all relevant passwords and access codes to the department email.” Oh gosh. Julian never checks that thing. Guess he’ll have to learn.

“Do you want me to tell him you called?”

“Well, he’ll have to know since I’m not coming in, won’t he?”

“Right.” Her voice softens. “Elowen, are you… Is there anything you need?”

For a moment, I nearly break. The kindness is unexpected, unwelcome. Kindness makes space for doubt, and I can’t afford doubt right now.

“No, thank you. I appreciate your professionalism.”