Page 118 of On the Ropes
I blew out a long breath. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Dean. Whatever was happening between us is over, although I did tell Alexis while chalk drawing that I’m desperately in love with him. As I’m sure everyone already knows because I’ve been so freaking obvious about it this whole time.”
A warm smile spread across Eric’s face. “It’s different between the two of you, isn’t it?”
I nodded, my heart spinning and spinning. “I knew it from the beginning too.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Congratulations. Now you know what the fuss is all about.” He bent over to kiss the top of my sister’s head.
“I’d like the record to show that I still believe Dean to be one of the good ones,” Dad said. “But if it doesn’t work out with you two…?”
“I’m staying here regardless of what happens with Dean,” I said. “I’m choosing home, choosing Philly. I’m ready.”
“Good,” Kathleen said firmly. “You deserve to start this next chapter based on what you want, honey. Not anyone else.”
“I completely agree,” I said, laying my head against her arm. A future without Dean was impossible to fathom, but even flush with optimism I had to accept there was a chance he wouldn’t want me. I could only entertain that notion for a split second before wanting to cry my eyes out. But beneath that despair I still only yearned for one thing. Home.
Eric called for Juliet over his shoulder. “Do you want to hear something amazing about Aunty Tabby?”
We laughed as she sprinted back into the living room. “What is it?” she asked shyly.
“I’m not leaving tomorrow, sweetheart,” I said. “I’m going to stay here and be around all the time.”
The sweetest expression rose on her face. My niece tiptoed over before collapsing into my arms for a hug. “We can have sleepovers?”
“Totally.”
“And color with chalk?”
“We can fill a whole museum.”
She stared up at me with wonder, and I knew I’d never made a better decision than this one. “It’s because you miss me all the time?”
“That’s exactly why,” I said. “Hey, do you want to see a movie I made about your mom and dad? And Grandma and Pop-Pop?”
Her eyes went wide before she scrambled up to sit between us on the couch. I leaned in to my laptop, much less nervous now. “This was going to be a going-away gift, but it’s even more enjoyable now that I’m not going anywhere.”
I opened the file and hit Play. I’d compiled Linda’s pictures and a bunch of my own, plus a handful of family videos I’d shot as a teenager. They were randomly arranged, set to music, and while our mom wasn’t in them, Eric, Kathleen, and Juliet featured prominently.
“Would you look at that,” Dad said in awe. “You made a movie about us.”
“It’s my favorite one yet,” I said. I didn’t need to see what was on the screen—I had each image and video memorized at this point. They covered a giant span of years, from Dad and Linda as kids to Dad and Kathleen on their wedding day. Our first-day-of-school portraits and random family barbecues and summer trips to Linda’s shore house. Alexis and Eric at Temple, the day Juliet was born, slightly blurry pictures from move-in day at UCLA. I mostly watched my family’s reactions, listened to their inside jokes and laughter.
How I ever thought I was going to leave them again was beyond understanding.
About ten minutes in, Kathleen nudged my arm. “I might have a lead on helping out the park,” she whispered.
“Wait, really?”
She nodded, indicating I should follow her. Everyone else was focused on the screen and didn’t notice us slipping into the kitchen.
“Can you make popcorn while you’re in there?” Dad said, sounding distracted.
I popped my head out. “It’s a real blockbuster, huh?”
“Oscar worthy,” he said.
I found a bag of popcorn in the pantry and tossed it into the microwave. Kathleen was scrolling through her phone, shaking her head.
“What is it? Show me,” I said.
