Page 7 of Spit Screen

“It is simpler here,” I tell him.

“You mean safer.”

“Maybe.”

“Well, I can’t say I’ve ever lived in a city. Seems to me there are more problems because there are more people,” Tom says.

Not for the first time, I’m struck by his wisdom. “True.”

“There will be challenges no matter where you live,” he continues. “I guess the question is where you can both be happy.”

“I think where the kids will be happy is the biggest consideration for us both,” I say.

“I’m sure that’s true. The kids will be happy, Addison, if you and Emma are happy. Don’t make that mistake.”

I tip my head.

“Don’t think you’re putting them first by denying yourselves what makes you happy. Not that anyplace will be perfect, or you’ll ever be happy at every moment.”

True.

“But you can’t put your passions aside. Sherry and me? We loved ithere. It wasn’t always a picnic. Believe me. Being so close to our parents came with its fair share of stress. And being where everyone has known you since before you were born might seem like some kind of idyllic fantasy. It has more ups than downs. But it also comes with its baggage.”

I sigh heavily. Everything Tom says is true. It’s part of the reason Emma is restless. SheisEmmie Bronson, but she’s also Emma Bronson Blake.

“You’ll figure it out,” Tom says.

“I hope so.”

“You will. Isn’t that why you invited everyone here for Memorial Day?”

“That was Em’s idea.”

“Mm.”

“Tom?”

“Yep?”

“Sometimes, I wish we could be in two places at once.”

Tom laughs. “Don’t we all, Addy? Don’t we all.”

CHAPTER TWO

emma

A WEEK LATER

It’s often hard for me to believe Addy and I have been together for more than a decade. I suppose it shouldn’t be. It’s strange. The other day, a friend asked if the thought of being forty caused me anxiety. My reply was simple. No. After my cancer diagnosis, turning forty feels like a gift, not a curse. I was fortunate. I also know the experience left its mark on both me and Addy. I think the experience affected Addy more deeply than she wants to let on to anyone—me most of all. It’s made us both take stock of our lives and our livelihoods—something I realize we too often avoid discussing. We decided before Noah was born to center our lives here in Kansas, and I believe our decision has worked out better than we’d hoped. Until now.

Addy handed me a new project to review. I sense she’s hoping for my support as more than a producing partner. She left early this morning for Los Angeles after receiving a call from Tamara. It was a little odd. Whenever Tamara has personal matters to discuss, she usually confides in me first. It isn’t like Tam to ask Addy to fly back to LA as soon as possible. WhateverTamara wants to discuss, I doubt it’s related to any of the projects we have in development. I can’t help but wonder what’s going on. A familiar ringtone sounding from my phone tells me I might get an answer sooner than I expected.

“Hi, Chris.”

“Em. How are things over the rainbow?” Christie asks me.

“I’m still looking for the yellow brick road,” I tell her.

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