Page 4 of Second Dance
After Mattie died, I changed. For a man who had focused so much of his efforts into work, I’d found myself unable to imagine continuing at the company I’d founded when I was just twenty-four years old. The kids needed me to be around, to participate, to fill in the gaps left by their mother. But despite my best efforts, I couldn’t fill the chasm her loss left behind. Not even close. No one could make up for the fact that they’d lost their adoring mother. Still, I had to try. Thus, I’d sold my company and moved us north, to a small beach town called Willet Cove, and built a beautiful home that overlooked the ocean. I volunteered as an assistant coach on Peter’s baseball team. I cheered from the sidelines at Bella’s soccer games. I made school lunches. Hosted birthday parties. Stayed up late to help Peter with a scienceproject about volcanoes. The things fathers of teenagers do. Without Mattie.
All the money in the world couldn’t heal my broken heart or bring my wife back.
Sonya interrupted my morbid thoughts when she bustled through the door with six-year-old Richie in tow. “Señor Alex, I’m so sorry to be late.”
Richie hid behind his grandmother’s skirt, peeking out at me with big brown eyes.
“Daycare wouldn’t take him, so I had to bring him with me,” Sonya said. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
“It’s no problem.” I rose to my feet, smiling at Richie, who once again darted behind his grandmother. “Is he all right?”
“Yes, he’s fine. Twelve stitches in his chin, but nothing he cannot heal from very soon. But he scared me. So much blood.”
Sonya’s daughter worked at a lawyer’s office as a secretary, which meant her boys went to daycare. I’d told Sonya she could always bring them here if she needed to. I didn’t mind. It was nice to hear the chirp of young voices. Especially now that my kids were teenagers and often surly. As demonstrated this morning.
“Feel free to set him up in the den with a movie,” I said.
“Gracias. Did the kids eat?” Sonya asked, gazing around the now spotless kitchen.
“I made breakfast. Peter ate. But Bella’s mad at me. She’s upstairs.”
“Not at you, Señor Alex. Today will be hard for all of you. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, we’re fine.” We weren’t really fine, but Sonya knew that already.
She clucked her tongue. “You’re lonely in this big house. You need a woman.”
“I’ve gotyou,” I said.
“I’m an old lady. You need someone young.”
“I don’t know. Am I ready?”
“It’s been two years. Time for you to start living again. My daughter’s on a dating site called Second Chance, hoping to meet someone. You could put your profile up too?”
“A dating site? That sounds truly awful.”
“You put your profile up. See what happens?”
“Has your daughter had any luck?” I asked.
Sonya made a face. “No. Not yet. But she’s trying. You should try too.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good enough for now,” Sonya said, taking Richie’s hand and leading him out of the kitchen.
I stood at the window for a moment. Was Sonya right? Should I start dating? The idea was terrifying for many reasons, but mostly because of my kids. I didn’t want to do anything that would make life more difficult for them. At my age, and with all the complications in my life, I really doubted there was anyone out there who would be a good match.
Regardless, I’d take a look at the site and see. Just for information.
An hour later, I’d put up my own profile. Honestly, I had no idea what had possessed me. Other than loneliness.
2
GILLIAN
The phone on my counter chirped, and I glanced over from the cutting board where I was chopping dill. Grace's phone, not mine. She was still in the shower upstairs—I could hear the water running.
