Page 167 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“The kids and I were still fighting COVID.” I pointed at her. “But you hush and listen because I think you’ll forgive me.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“He interviewed for a position at the University of Wisconsin. They called him last week, and he starts this fall semester.” I smiled. “And I start my job this summer at a little retreat called Blissful Breeze.”

Blake’s mouth dropped open, and she stared. Robyn nudged her, but Blake didn’t move.

“Did you hear what Emma said?” Robyn asked Blake.

Blake nodded.

“Are you going to respond?” Robyn said.

“No fucking way.” Tears poured down Blake’s cheeks. “You’re moving to Madison?”

“Yes. I want to be near my sister and her soon-to-be wife.” I held my hand out and took Robyn’s hand.

“Holy shit.” Blake threw her arms around me. “This is by far the best day of my life.”

We hugged for a long time as the others gathered around us.

When Blake let me go, she still had tears welling in her eyes. She smiled and pointed at her face. “Fucking airborne estrogen. I thought I told Vera to have it removed from the grounds.”

I hugged Blake again and whispered in her ear. “See, there is such a thing as serendipity.”