Page 130 of The Fates We Tame

“I rushed things with Sophia.”

She immediately looks concerned. “You’re regretting it?”

I shake my head. “No. God, no. I’m not regretting it. But I am regretting that I haven’t put more of an effort into, you know…”

Her face softens. “You want to woo your wife?”

“Yeah. I do. What should I do?”

“You wanna know what your father’s first words to me were?”

I place my coffee cup on the table. “I’m not sure. Do I?”

She chuckles. “He said I’d look great riding his face but would look even better on the back of his bike.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Dad. Always the charmer.”

“From that day until now, he’s always made me feel good about myself. Not once has he put me down, made me feel less, or called me names in an argument. He’s made me feel like his equal in a world where women are called property. Sure, he’s bought me expensive things, but it’s the flowers he brings me every Friday and the way he’s not missed a single medical appointment with me that show me just how much he cares for me. Woo her by showing her you’ll be there for her in every way that matters, Theo. Because that’s what love is.”

Tears fill her eyes, but she’s no longer looking at me. She’s smiling at someone. The phone suddenly shifts angle. Mom squeals with laughter. And when the video settles, she’s sitting on Dad’s lap.

He kisses her cheek. “Love you too, sweetheart.”

“Theo wanted to know how to woo his wife,” Mom says. “What advice would you give him?”

“First, I would have said find a girl who makes it easy to love her.” Dad glances at Mom, even though she’s looking at me. “And then don’t forget you’re a husband first. Carry the heavy shit. Fix the broken things. Make the money. Give her the easiest life you possibly can.”

Mom chuckles. “You know you still didn’t clear the gutters yet?”

Dad rolls his eyes. “I’ll get to it when the sun’s up. Just…make sure she knows she’s safe with you. That you aren’t going to let the world hurt her. Thatyouaren’t going to hurt her either.”

I think about Sophia. “I’m starting to think she’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

Mom smiles. “Well, that’s when she’s going to need you most. If an adult woman is that capable of taking care of herself, it’s usually because she’s never had anyone else she can turn to. Show her what it means to be able to fully trust another human being, Theo. Show her what it means to love and trust another person with your whole heart.”

I think about Sophia in that context. Growing up in a life like this one. Straddling the law. Constant jockeying in power struggles. The risk of being kidnapped or becoming collateral. It takes a toll.

“I’ll do that,” I commit. “Thanks for being the best fucking role models of what it means to love someone for life.”

Mom blows me a kiss. Dad nods.

“We’ll speak to you later,” Dad says. “Got some shit I’d like to say and do with your mom now.”

“That’s more information than I needed. Love you.”

I hang up the phone, feeling better for speaking to them both.

And Operation Woo My Wife begins ninety minutes later when she makes it to the kitchen in one of my hoodies.

“Are those Niro’s cinnamon rolls?” she asks, looking at the two monster rolls on the platter, thick with his cream cheese icing.

“Yup. And coffee. Went to an Italian cafe down on the shore and grabbed you a double espresso.”

“God, you are the best husband.” She steps up onto her toes and kisses me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I also made some plans, so sit, eat and drink, while I tell you them.”

“I was hoping to make a start on the journals and the laptop,” she says.