Page 2 of Antagonist

“Harrison, stop panicking. I can hear your worry from here. Megan’s fine. She has a school friend over, and all I can hear from her bedroom is giggles and terrible singing.”

I smile. “Are they watchingFrozenagain?”

“You bet. Moments like these, I wish you had full custody of her.” I know she doesn’t mean it. Megan is our little miracle. I know we’d gladly listen to every bad rendering of “Let it Go” rather than not having her at all.

“So, what’s up then?” I ask.

“Got a letter from that school in Stillwater. The one we really liked.”

“And?”

“We got in,” she squeals on the other side of the line, and I almost have to pull the phone away from my ear.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. The principal said she can start after Christmas or in the spring. She said there shouldn’t be much of a difference in curriculum between the schools and her teacher has just moved from Boston too, so he’ll know what she needs to catch up on.”

I take a deep breath.

“So this is really happening, isn’t it?”

There’s a moment of silence.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Harrison? We don’t have to. I just think…”

“I know, Stella. I’m all in. The move could be great for us all. A fresh start in a safer place. Less crazy traffic and a small community we can be part of. It’ll be great. Let’s face it, if Tate’s survived, so will we.” I laugh.

After living all his life in Boston, my best friend, Tate, didn’t think twice about moving to the small Connecticut town of Chester Falls so he could be with the love of his life. I’m still in awe of how easy he made it look. Or maybe that’s what love does for you.

“You’re saying the right words, but you’re forgetting I know you, Harrison.Reallyknow you,” she says.

I know I shouldn’t bullshit her. She’s always could read me like a book. But it’s hard admitting I’m struggling with the idea of moving away from the city and everything I’ve known all my life.

I’ll follow her and Megan anywhere in the world, no questions asked. But there’s a small part of me that wonders if I’ll ever be truly happy in a small town.

The city life is what I’ve always known. Not that I’m a control freak, but I like knowing I can as easily get to the hospital as I can find a diner open twenty-four hours just around the corner. There’s always something to do in the city.

Okay, so maybe now that Tate is no longer nearby, my daily runs are a little more predictable, and I can’t remember the last time I went out in search of food in the middle of the night after working on a case and losing track of time.

I hate going out on my own. Sitting in a diner with no one to talk to is the ultimate reminder that without my best friend around, and when I don’t have Megan, my life is pretty boring. But at least I know what to expect.

Still, I’ll follow my daughter wherever she is, and if Stella wants to move to a small town in the heart of Connecticut, so be it. At least I'll go back to being closer to Tate, even if he’ll be a few towns away. Maybe if I keep repeating it to myself, I’ll come around to the idea.

“You’re only reading my nerves about this ridiculous bachelor auction. I’m going to kill Tate for putting in my name,” I say.

She laughs. “I think this will be good for you. You could do with a hookup.”

“Stella!”

“What? It’s true. How long has it been?”

“I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”

“Have a good time, Harrison. That’s all I’m saying. I’m going to check the property listings in Stillwater.” She hangs up, and I’m left without an excuse to avoid going back inside.

The small stage in the large hall is close enough to the tables that I feel like people can read my thoughts.

A bead of sweat runs down my forehead. I wish I could be anywhere but here. Even listening to Megan sing at the top of her lungs is a preferable form of torture.