Page 60 of We Can Forever

“I think Hannah is more resilient than you give her credit for,” I say, aware that I’m nearly parroting what Jenny said to me about Katie. “She can handle a lot. She has been handling a lot. Knit Happens is a huge success.”

“Yes, but at what expense?” She gives me a sharp look.

I stretch out my legs, considering how best to answer. “If you’re anything like me, or most parents, then Hannah is your number one priority. Am I right?”

She doesn’t skip a beat. “Of course.”

“She told me a little bit… About her mom passing, and her going to live with you. How you taught her how to knit, then came and looked at the storefront for her when she was sick… That’s more than most parents would do.”

“She needs me.” She frowns, worry lines forming between her eyebrows.

“I won’t argue that, but is it possible that she doesn’t need you as much as you think?”

Carol gazes into my dark yard, and I’d like to think she’s considering my words.

“What do you mean?” she finally asks.

“The last time Hannah flared, we were out together. I drove her home. She could barely walk. I wanted to come inside with her.” My chest tightens in pain. “So badly. I wanted to take care of her, but she wouldn’t let me. I don’t know, maybe she didn’t want me to see her that way… The point is, she took care of herself. I stayed by my phone for days, ready to run over there if she needed a thing. And she never did. She was good.”

Carol twists one of her rings around and around. I take it as my invitation to go on.

“Hannah appreciates everything you’ve done for her. She has nothing but good things to say about you. And while the fibromyalgia does mean she needs extra care, for the most part, she’s able to provide that for herself.”

Carol cocks her head at me. “You’re trying to tell me she’s flown the nest?” She laughs dryly. “And I’m holding her back, clipping her wings?”

I just look at her. It’s probably best if I don’t answer that.

She seems to do that for herself anyway, because she sighs and looks at her lap. “She’s here, at your house, because of me. She doesn’t want to be with me.”

“She doesn’t want to be babied,” I correct.

Carol lifts her head and murmurs in agreement. “Here’s the thing about kids. You’ll see this eventually. They ‘grow up’ technically, but to their parents, they’ll always be little. Someone to be protected at all costs.”

“And that’s why you’re one of the best parents in the world.” I mean it one hundred percent.

She dabs at the corners of her eyes. “I need to apologize to her. Not now, of course.”

“I’ll tell her tomorrow that you came by.”

She stands. “I would appreciate that.” She takes a step toward the yard then pauses. “You’re a good man, Michael. I’m glad Hannah met you.”

Emotion clogs my throat—God, I hope she’s right, hope I can be the man Hannah needs—so I just nod.

Carol slips into the night, and I watch her car’s headlights journey down the road. Standing, I brush the paint off my jeans, remind myself to get some proper chairs once I have the time, and head inside.

I’ve barely closed the door when I hear another car pull up, though. Our dinner has arrived.

Tipping the driver and grabbing the bags, I dish up the soup and breadsticks and find a serving tray to carry it all on.

Following the sounds of Katie’s and Hannah’s laughter, I walk across the living room and peek into the bedroom. They’re sitting up in bed, watching the newest Disney movie.

An unexpected wave of emotion hits me, so fast and hard that I almost drop the tray.

This is it. What I’ve been missing out on all these years.

And what Katie has been missing out on as well.

The two of us have been a good team, but something has always been lacking, as much as I didn’t want to admit it. I’ve wanted a woman around, and Katie has needed that as well.

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