How (Not) to Fall in Love(15)

I usually whined about going to the mountains, but right now running away sounded good. When I was younger I’d loved our cabin trips, because I got uninterrupted time with my dad, who ignored the phone and focused on Mom and me the whole time. But the past couple of years, whenever we were up there all I could think of was the fun I was missing in town, like shopping with Sal and stalking Ryan.

“Come on, Toblerone.” I raced upstairs to throw clothes and a couple of historical romance novels into my Hilfiger duffel. Toby licked my hand and whimpered. He knew my packed bag meant fun for him and he was eager to go.

Mom was already in the Volvo with the engine running when Toby and I ran downstairs.

“Change of plans,” I texted Sal as we drove, since she’d wanted to get together today. “Headed to mtns for wknd.”

Her reply flew back. “R U OK?”

Okay? My world was tilting on its axis and there was nothing to grab onto. I was flying into space, with no one to catch me.

I was most definitely not okay.

I snuck glances at Mom and her white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel as we drove west on the highway, listening to a local band we agreed on. Toby let out an occasional bark when we passed other cars with dogs hanging out the window.

Sal texted me so many times that I resorted to turning off my phone. I kept hoping Mom’s cell would blast out Frank Sinatra singing about being the king of the hill, Dad’s signature ring tone, but her phone never rang.

We spent our weekend quietly: reading, hiking, and sneaking glances at our cells about every five minutes. I think we both thought Dad would call us. He had to know his absence had blown up in the media. On Monday, Mom called Woodbridge to excuse my absence, extending our escape from reality by an extra day.

On our last night, we ate dinner on the cabin deck in the glow of candles, wrapped in fleece jackets. Toby snored at our feet as we shared a frozen pizza that tasted like paste. I missed Mom’s cooking.

“Darcy, we’re going to make it through this. I promise you. I don’t know how yet. But we’ll survive.”

“Please don’t tell me we will Tri!Umphant!ly survive.”

Mom sipped her wine. “A lot of people use your dad’s philosophy to survive horrible situations and to turn their lives around.”

I looked at my dirty Uggs. I really didn’t want a lecture on the genius of “Thoughtful! Responsible! Initiative!

“But,” Mom continued, “it’s not the only way.”

She had my attention.

“Before I met your dad my life was simple. I taught kindergarten and lived in a small apartment with my best friend from college.” Mom smiled at the memory. Her eyes stared off toward the hillside, a looming, dark shadow under a sea of winking stars.

“We lived on ramen noodles and the leftovers my friend brought home every night from her waitress job.” Mom poured herself another glass of wine as I watched her warily.

“Who was your friend? Do I know her?”

Mom paused. “No. She was still in my life when you were very young, but then she moved to Tucson and we lost contact.”

“You should see if she’s on Facebook.” I grabbed another slice of pizza. I was going to gain ten pounds through this ordeal at the rate I was eating. Stress = ravenous.

Mom shook her head. “You know I don’t do Facebook.”

“Yeah,” I said around a mouthful of pepperoni. I was glad about that. I spent most of my screen time on Tumblr and Instagram, but the thought of friending my mom freaked me out. I followed my dad’s Facebook fan page, but we definitely weren’t FB friends.

“Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is, I was able to earn a salary, to take care of myself.” She held my gaze. “I can do it again. I can help take care of us.” She took another sip of wine. “But I’m sure Dad will be home soon and get back to work at Harvest.”

“If you have to work, why don’t you teach again?” I reached for another slice of pizza. Maybe this one would taste better. Toby looked up at me and whined. I snuck him a piece of pepperoni, which he inhaled without chewing.

Mom shook her head. “I don’t think I have the energy. Plus, I’d have to go back to school to renew my teaching license. I think real estate is the best choice.” Mom sat up a little straighter and raised her chin, almost daring me to disagree.

The thought of Mom working for Chloe’s mom killed me, but she’d already made up her mind. Maybe it would work out.

Mom’s eyes brightened. “Darcy, I can do this. And you can help.” I almost choked on my pizza crust, but she continued without noticing. “You’re so good on the internet and with your digital camera. You can help me take photos of the houses for online marketing.”

I stared at my mom. It was bad enough she was doing this real estate thing, but dragging me with her? No way.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know anything about real estate and—”

“You don’t need to. You just take pictures of houses and put them on a website. It’s probably just like what you do with all those online sites, right? We can start with the cabin.” She stared down at her hands. “We might need to put it on the market soon. That’s what J.J. recommends.”

“Sell the cabin?” My stomach clenched. The cabin was Dad’s favorite place in the world. We couldn’t sell it.