Inevitable and Only(64)

I woke up early the next morning, hearing noises down in the kitchen. A delicious smell wafted up the stairs. I shoved my feet into my slippers and wandered downstairs to investigate. I noticed that there were no blankets or pillows on the couch, as there had been for the past few months—since Elizabeth had arrived. What was going on?

Dad was making waffles and eggs and fakin’ bacon, and Mom was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter, peeling oranges and arranging the sections on a plate. They were talking quietly and laughing.

“Morning, Cadie!” said Mom, when she saw me standing by the table.

Dad turned from the stove and held his spatula aloft. I recognized the telltale signs: Dramatic Monologue Voice. “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Acadia is the sun.”

“It’s too early for Romeo and Juliet,” I muttered. “What are you guys doing up so early?”

“It’s nearly eight o’clock,” Mom said, “and anyway, I always wake up early when I go to bed late. Don’t know why.” She had dark circles under her eyes, but she was smiling.

“We have something important to talk to you about,” Dad added, in his normal voice. “We’ll wait till everyone’s down.” He refused to tell me any more details, so I went upstairs and shook Josh awake, then knocked on the door of my and Elizabeth’s room. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. When parents had been feuding as long as ours had, an “important talk” wasn’t usually a good thing—I had enough friends with divorced parents to know that. And yet, it was odd that Mom seemed so happy. Maybe she was just relieved to finally have an end in sight? Or—could I even dare to hope that something had changed?

And was that even what I wanted? It was a crappy thing to think, but: Even if Mom somehow managed to forgive Dad … how would that change anything between him and me? What if everyone else figured out how to move on, and I got left behind?

We all gathered at the table and Dad doled out generous portions to everyone. “Melissa,” he said, “should we make our announcement now? Or after we eat?”

“Now!” I interrupted. “You can’t leave us in suspense.”

“Very well,” said Mom, setting down her fork. “Dad and I had a long talk last night.” She wasn’t smiling now. My stomach twisted.

“We’ve had a lot of changes in this house over the past few months,” she continued. “Big changes. And we’re all so very happy that you’re part of our family now, Elizabeth.” Elizabeth was looking down at her plate, and Mom reached over to squeeze her hand. Elizabeth looked up, startled.

Dad continued. “But Mom and I have been drifting away from each other, and it’s hurting everyone in this family. So, we’ve decided that we need to take some time—” Here it comes, I thought, and I slid my hands under my legs to keep them from shaking. “—some time,” Dad was saying, “to heal together. We’re going on a vacation.”

I sat on my hands, frozen. “So you’re not getting divorced?” I burst out.

Mom reached over to put her other hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry that things have been rough recently. It’s been difficult for all of us, and I haven’t made it any easier. Dad and I have been together a long time, and we know we can fix things. We just need a chance to start over again.”

Elizabeth looked like she was about to cry. “It’s all my fault,” she said, so quietly I barely heard her. “I’m so sorry. I know I’ve ruined everything—”

“Elizabeth!” Dad cut her off. “Don’t say that, it’s not true.”

“We love you, and now we can’t imagine this family without you, mija,” Mom said to Elizabeth. My heart squeezed in a fierce and unexpected burst of pride for Mom. That was the first time I’d heard her call Elizabeth daughter. “Ross and I were having—relationship difficulties—long before you came to live with us,” she continued. “And it’s high time we dealt with that. I haven’t been myself recently. In many years, in fact.” She turned to Josh. “Mijo, Dad showed me that I’ve been pushing you too hard. And I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Josh said, “I’m fine, Mom.”

“No,” said Mom, “you’re not. I’m going to stop observing your lessons. You and Olga can prepare for this competition better on your own, without my interference, while we’re on vacation.”

Josh’s eyes widened.

“Wait,” I said, “when are you leaving?”

“Next week,” said Mom. “Right after your play.”

“But—that’s the week before Josh’s competition!”

“Exactly. He doesn’t need me around, breathing down his neck. I’ve already called the Woodburys. They’d be delighted to host you—if that’s all right with all of you, of course.”

Elizabeth nodded. “So, where will you be going?” she asked.

Mom and Dad beamed at each other.

“A long time ago, we set a goal for ourselves to visit all the major national parks someday,” Dad said, “and at this point, we’re running very far behind. So, we’re going to Yosemite!”

My hand spasmed and knocked over my orange juice.