Page 78 of Uproot

“That’s better,” he murmurs, kissing me on the head and letting go. “Go on. I’ll finish up my work and meet you at the door.”

Twenty minutes later, we are outside of the Upwood Youth Center, right next to the Historical Museum.

One of the camp directors brings Edison out to us in the carpool lane, and he waves excitedly to us as he gets in the car.

He chatters about his day until we are almost back at the house. He talks about the usual things he does at camp, from swimming, to the crafts he made during art. I listen attentively,nodding along and asking questions, until he asks me something that I wasn’t expecting.

“Ms. Selah, are you and Uncle Beckett going to get married?”

My mouth falls open and Beckett chuckles quietly next to me. I look to him for help, but he only lifts an eyebrow at me. “Well go on, Ms. Selah. Answer the kid,” he teases.

I turn back around to Edison, my brain trying to conjure up the right words. “Well Edi.. your Uncle Beckett and I really enjoy spending time together. So we decided to date each other,” I explain carefully.

He bounces in his seat, throwing a fist up into the air, “Yes! I knew it! I even told Gana, but she wouldn’t answer me when I asked,” he says, his eyes alight with excitement. “Does this mean I can call you just Selah now?”

Beckett laughs loudly and I smile at Edison, reaching back to hold his hand. “Of course you can, Edi. I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

41

Beckett

Ifinish up a meeting with our design team and go in search of Dragana.

It’s Friday afternoon, and Selah went out to do some errands, and Edison is at camp. Helen has been back in New York for the past week, and we have worked out a schedule where she doesn’t need to come here as often. I know the transition back to our main office has made her happier, and I also know that she feels like she can be more productive there.

I find Dragana out in the back garden picking weeds between some flower beds, using the kneeling pad that I bought for her. I’ve noticed over the past few months how much happier she is being here than she was in New York. She says the outdoor space reminds her of her grandparents country home she used to spend time on when she was a little girl.

I have a feeling that the conversation I’m about to have with her will go over pretty well.

“You know, the owners landscaping team will take care of that when they come next week,” I say, stopping next to her as she dusts dirt off of her gloved hands.

She looks up at me, shielding her eyes from the sun, even though she has on a huge sun hat. “They don’t do a good enough job in these flower beds. They focus on grass and bushes,” she grumbles.

I reach down to help her stand up and she waves me away, getting up on her own. “I’m very able-bodied, you see. Don’t insult me, mladicu. You will regret it,” she warns, pointing her spade at me.

I smile at her empty threat, walking alongside her as she continues to look over the garden. “I wouldn’t imagine insulting you. I just was trying to be helpful like you taught me to be,” I insist.

We stop next to a patch of sunflowers, and she puts down her kneeling pad again. “I’d like to take Selah out to dinner tonight. Just the two of us, if that would work for you?” I ask.

She gives me a mischievous smile, “Hot date, huh? You better take her somewhere very nice if you are going to use my babysitting services.”

“Of course I will. What kind of a lame boyfriend do you think I am?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at her.

She chuckles, “Good. Because I didn’t raise you to be anything less than a generous, gentleman. Now, what is your real question? Because I know that’s not what you really need to ask.”

I let out a breath, pausing and looking down at her. “How would you feel about moving to Upwood full-time, Gana?”

She pats my arm, letting out a hearty laugh that makes me smile. “I was already planning on it! I was just waiting to see if you and Edison were going to join me too,” she teases.

I lean down and give her a hug, feeling a flood of relief run through me. I love Selah dearly, and I love and want to do what’s best for Edison, but I don’t know how I would have managed to make this happen if Dragana didn’t agree too.

It was hard enough knowing I was leaving my best friend, much less having to leave the woman who has been a mother to me.

“Thank you,” I mumble, letting her go.

She nods, “Of course, duso. I’m proud of you for finally looking beyond work and finding happiness,” she responds, her expression turning serious. “Your father struggled with that after losing your mother, and I never wanted that for your life. So don’t worry, I’ll be here for you. Just like I always am. I just have one request, and it’s a serious one.”

I square my shoulders, ready to give her whatever she asks for, “Anything.”

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