Page 59 of Play With Me

“Did he eat his dinner? Like, his vegetables? And did you remember all his books from the seat pocket? He always forgets them, or his crayons.”

Farrah holds up the bag we packed with all Cap’s road trip activities. “They’re all here. And yes, he ate the carrots, though he said they were…what is the word? Mushy.”

I let out a breath. I’d been worried about them.

Twenty minutes later, we’ve got all our bags, a quick snack from the shop in the station for Cap, and are piling into the sleek stretch SUV that will take us the rest of the way to the resort.

It’s an awkward hour of driving, but when the town finally comes into view, we all stare out the windows like a bunch of kids hitting Disneyland for the first time.

The town is nestled in the bottom of a valley surrounded on all sides by snow-blanketed mountains. The main street is all done up for Christmas, with the lamps festooned in fat ribbons and giant novelty bells. High up on the mountain in the distance, Diamant sparkles like a glistening jewel.

It’s another half hour from the town to the resort, and by the time we arrive, I’m itching to stretch my legs, but by now it’s well past Cap’s bedtime, and I need to get us sorted into our room.

“So,” Farrah says as we step out of the vehicle. “Our room is close to yours, no?”

I frown as the bellboys take our luggage, welcoming us to the resort. “What do you mean, our room?”

“Me and Cap.” She frowns back.

“Yeah, Dad,” Cap says. “I can’t stay alone.”

Typical seven-year-old logic.

“You’re not staying alone. You’re staying with me. Nora’s on the other side and Farrah’s…close by.

I’d had my travel agent book Farrah a room on a separate wing, but I hadn’t mentioned that.

“I thought you and Nora would be in one room and me and Farrah in the other one?” Cap says, his voice breaking.

My head nearly spins at that. “You thought…what?”

“Sweetie, your dad and I have separate rooms,” Nora smiles at Cap. “My friend got mine right next to yours though…or, your dad’s, I guess…” She looks awkwardly at Farrah.

But Farrah’s standing stiffly next to Cap. “Jude, we talk about this, it is our chance to be together. The room is important to us.”

“Yeah, Dad, we talked about it at the sleepover!”

I grit my teeth, running my hand over my head.

“Sir, would you like to check in?” the bellhop with our cart of luggage says.

“Not really,” He looks confused.

“Listen,” Nora says next to me, piping up for the first time. “How about I take Farrah’s room, and you guys do the adjoining roo—”

“No.”

Everyone looks taken aback, even Cap.

“I…” I don’t want to not have my son in my room. But if he does stay with her, I don’t want to be that close to Farrah.

There’s nothing I can do here that doesn’t make me look like a total dick.

“Dad,” Cap says, his tone plaintive. He takes my hand. “Let’s go inside.”

Once again, my son is being the better person.

We head into the foyer, which is huge and open and lined with a red carpet that stretches all the way to a giant Christmas tree in the center of the space. To the left is the check-in desk.

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