Page 32 of Shift the Tide

Aunt Jade sighed dramatically, pouring Kiera a glass from the bottle on the coffee table. “Alright, I came to talk about your next steps. Why are you still chasing a teaching job like it’s your dream?”

Kiera groaned, rubbing her hands over her face. “Aunt Jade…”

“Just hear me out,” Aunt Jade interrupted smoothly, reaching for her wine again. “I know you decided against alimony, and even with Alex paying you for your half of the house… How can I help? If it’s a down payment for a house you need, I’m here for you, my love.”

Kiera sighed. “You’ve already helped plenty. And it’s not just money.”

Aunt Jade blinked slowly, watching her. “Then what is it?”

Kiera hesitated, swirling her wine glass slowly, watching the deep red liquid catch the dim light of the living room. It wasn’t just one thing — it was everything. Signing a lease would make it real in a way it hadn’t been before. And then there was Alex, who had worked and traveled so much that the girls barely asked about him now. Alex, who had barely blinked when she walked out, who had treated their marriage like a worn-out sweater — comfortable but ultimately disposable. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting for. Closure? A sign? A version of herself prepared to leave it all behind without looking back? She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "It's complicated," she finally admitted. “And I’ve applied to so many jobs. I’m just waiting to hear back.”

Aunt Jade sighed and sipped her wine. “What districts are you applying in? Maybe I know someone who can pull a string.Or, perhaps there’s an extra certification I can help you pay for to make your application stand out. Have you thought about branching out to other grades?”

Kiera groaned, rubbing her hands over her face. “Aunt Jade, I do appreciate the worry. Really. I’m fine, though. I’ll figure it out.”

“I know it’s far, but if you’d like to stay at the condo?—”

“To be honest, the idea of letting my children into your perfect condo in Telluride is enough to make me want to set myself on fire,” Kiera admitted. “It was bad enough trying to convince my friends not to break things.”

Before Aunt Jade could respond, the sound of feet stomping down the stairs interrupted them. Eliza and Quinn appeared, their hair still damp from their showers, looking up at Kiera expectantly.

“Pizza party?” Eliza asked, eyes wide with hope.

Quinn nodded furiously. “Grandma said we could!”

“Pizza sounds perfect,” Kiera said with a nod. The girls cheered, and Kiera stood, knowing full-well that her parents were going to try making some strange dough recipe with an alarming amount of nutritional yeast.

Jade gave her a knowing look. “Consider it, darling.”

Kiera rolled her eyes but clinked her glass against Jade’s anyway. “I’ll think about it.”

Kiera had setout for a Pilates class, taking Izzy’s advice to heart. She adjusted her gym bag over her shoulder and slowed as she passed a sleek studio with floor-to-ceiling windows. The gold lettering on the glass readLuna Pole & Aerial. Just as she glanced inside, two effortlessly cool women — one sporting bright pink hair and the other filling out a pair of booty shorts that screamed confidence — opened the door to the sounds oflaughter and Chappell Roan. The way they entered, strong and self-assured, made Kiera slow.

She paused at the window, her sneakers scuffing against the sidewalk as she stopped, taking in the way the polished chrome poles gleamed. She had never considered pole fitness before, but the space, the women of all shapes and sizes walking in without a second thought, intrigued her.

The door swung open, and a woman with a high ponytail and an easy smile paused, holding it open for her. "Are you here for the 6 p.m. class?"

Kiera's mouth opened, but no sound came out at first. She had mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared herself for Pilates. She knew what to expect there, knew the routine. Pole fitness? That was an entirely different world. She’d heard pole fitness was a hard workout, and Kiera wasn’t sure she possessed the right amount of sex appeal she’d need.

"Oh, no. I mean, no, I'm just—" With a vague gesture, she attempted to justify her presence outside, peering through the window like a voyeur. "Sorry, no, I’m not."

The woman gave her a knowing smile but just nodded. "Maybe next time."

Kiera forced a small smile and hurried away, heading for the Pilates studio down the block. Inside, the scent of eucalyptus and the low drone of meditative music surrounded her with familiarity, but she still felt out of place. She glanced at the women on each reformer beside her and instantly felt self-conscious — about not only her body, but also her tax bracket. She kept thinking about the pole fitness studio, about the way those women had walked in without hesitation. She contemplated the terrifying yet intriguing prospect of trying something that frightened her.

The Group Chat™

Maggie

Made it home in one piece. Nose and all.

Pete

are you SURE it’s in one piece though? pretty sure it’s two now

Maggie

Bold talk for someone who thought sunscreen was optional on Day 1. How’s the peeling going, lobster?

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