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My chest tightened, and Graham climbed up my leg. I picked him up, holding him near because he was the closest thing I had to Liv and Maya right now. “What if it’s too late?” I asked. “Liv moved out.”

Rhett chuckled. “You’re a doctor. Shouldn’t you know it’s only too late when your heart quits beating?”

64

Maya

Mom’s new house with Ben was nice. They even asked me what color I wanted to paint a wall in my bedroom there. I went to the store with Mom and picked my favorite shade of purple, and Mom and I painted the wall together.

I just liked spending time with her. I missed her, even though I liked living with Daddy and Livvy.

But while we painted the wall, Mom got a phone call. She smiled at me and said, “Don’t get any paint on the carpet, okay? Be extra careful.”

I nodded as she walked out, leaving me alone. I liked to paint flower shapes on the wall before covering it all the way with paint. Maybe I could talk Daddy into letting me paint flowers onto my wall at home. I betted Livvy would help me.

I could hear Mom talking on the phone in the hallway but couldn’t quite tell what she was saying. Hopefully she didn’t have to leave. I really did like spending time with her, even if we weren’t painting. I would have watched her pay bills, and that was super boring.

Mom came back into the room and said, “Looks like we have some extra time together. Your daddy said he’d come and pick you up this afternoon instead of us driving back there.”

Good thing he wasn’t getting me early, because then I would have argued, and Daddy didn’t like me arguing. “Why?” I asked anyways. “Is he bringing Graham?” Next time, I wouldn’t leave my doggy at home. I’d sneak him in my suitcase, even though Ben was allergic to dogs.

“I didn’t ask about Graham, but I can text him,” Mom said. “And I’m sure he’ll explain the change in plans when he gets here, but I think it’s good news.”

“How good?” I asked.

She smiled. “Really good.”

I smiled, too, because I liked good surprises. “Can we finish painting first?”

“Absolutely,” she said, picking up her brush again. “It’s going to look so good.”

I looked at the mostly-done wall. “I like it already.”

“Good, because you’re stuck with this color,” she teased.

It took forever to finish up the room, but when we did, Mom peeled off all the tape and we stood back by my bed to look at the wall.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“I love it,” I said. “Can I bring the extra paint back home?”

She laughed. “You need to take that up with your dad. Now go shower. Try to get that paint off your arm.”

I liked the paint. It was almost like a tattoo like Liv had. But I went to the shower and did what Mom asked because I wanted to hear Daddy’s surprise.

When I got out of the shower and dressed in the bathroom, Daddy was with Mom, looking at my new room. It was nice that they were in the same room and not arguing anymore.

But they weren’t fun together like Dad and Livvy or Mom and Ben. They always felt more like Daddy and Brenda together. Like they were doing a job.

Dad rubbed his hands together and said, “Ready, kiddo?”

“I’m ready for the surprise,” I said. “But where’s Graham?”

“Uncle Rhett’s watching him for the day,” Daddy said.

“I wanted to see him, but that’s okay. Because Rhett is fun and Graham will have fun with him.”

Daddy smiled and said, “Why don’t you say bye to Mommy?”