Page 107 of The End of Summer

“I know. I just think this might be for the best.”

“How do you figurethat?” she asks.

“He wants us to have some space. This would give me a chance to establish myself somewhere. It doesn’t have to be forever.”

“Hang on. Are you saying you want tomoveto New York?”

“God, no. But I could commute.”

“From where, Brady?”

“I don’t know. Boston, maybe?”

“So you want to move to Boston?” she replies.

“No – I’m not saying that. I don’t know,” I mumble. “I just wanted to discuss it with you. I need to find a new place to live at the end of summer anyway.”

“Okay. Slow down. I’m hearing you say that you’re tossing around a bunch of ideas in your head that would all move you away from me, and that this would be a good thing because it’s what mydadwants. Correct me – am I wrong? Is thatnotwhat you’re saying right now?”

“Jeez, Gretch. I’m just trying to figure this out. I’m sorry. They gave me a deadline of Monday.”

“I have my arraignment on Monday.”

“I know, babe. I’m sorry. Bad timing.”

“No, it’s fine. I just – I need tothink.”

“Should I –”

“Go? Maybe. Just let me shower. I’ll come by in a bit.”

I don’t want to leave, but if she needs some space, I guess I should. I stand up and head for the door. “Hey,” I say, turning to face her. “I love you. You know that, right?”

She nods. “I love you, too.”

“Okay.” I offer her a weak smile.

After I close the door behind me, I stand there for a second, wondering if I’m doing everything wrong. I begin to walk back to my place, which is when I hear it.

The sound of her bawling pierces through the otherwise quiet hallway.

I let myself into Luis’ condo, sink my head into my hands and take a deep breath.

Somehow, I will fix this,I decide.

I open my laptop, power it on, and get started.

CHAPTER THIRTY

GRETCHEN

The next two days are a whirlwind.

My dad and I get into it, but thankfully, my mom is on my side. She convinces my father that I don’t need to move back home, that it’s clear I’ve learned a lesson, and that if I’m going to learn how to be an adult, I have to do it on my terms. He pushes back, asks who’s going to come and bail me out when I can’t figure out how I’m going to pay my mortgage or my bills, and Mom tells him that I have to be given the chance to at least try to handle my life in my own way.

He is not happy, but he relents.

My mom has always had a way with him. I guess when you love someone like my dad loves her, you can learn how to bend without breaking.

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