Present Amelia’s going to bed before she falls asleep on your kitchen table.” She left before Lucas could respond. He sat alone in the kitchen, surrounded by paid bills and impossible relief, wondering what would happen when Amelia stopped running and started fighting back. The days developed a rhythm.
Lucas worked the farm with Amelia’s help, actual help now, as she got better with the tools and the animals. Emma threw herself into the science fair project with obsessive focus, turning the kitchen into a laboratory of potted plants and data charts. Mason started sleeping through the night, which felt like its own small miracle.
And slowly, carefully, Lucas started to relax, started to believe that maybe the crisis had passed, that maybe they’d actually survive this. He should have known better. The first sign came on a Tuesday. Emma got off the bus looking shaken, her usual enthusiasm dimmed. “What’s wrong?” Lucas asked immediately. “Nothing.” “Emma.
” “I said nothing.” She ran past him into the house, door slamming behind her. Lucas found her in her room, face down on the bed. “Talk to me, sweetheart.” “Some kids at school said things.” “What kind of things?” “About you and Amelia.” Emma’s voice was muffled by the pillow. “They said she’s your girlfriend and that’s why she lives here and that you’re going to get married and forget about Mom.
” Lucas felt something cold settle in his stomach. “That’s not true.” “I know that.” “Then what’s wrong?” Emma rolled over, eyes red. “What if it is true? What if you do forget?” “Emma, I could never forget your mom, never. She was” His voice cracked. “She was everything, and she gave me you. Nothing could make me forget that.
” “But you like Amelia.” It wasn’t a question. Lucas sat on the edge of the bed, trying to find the right words. “Amelia’s helping us. She’s a friend.” “Do you want her to be more than a friend?” “I don’t” “Emma, that’s not” He stopped, took a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I’m forgetting your mom.
It means I’m trying to figure out how to live again. There’s a difference.” “The kids said she’s too fancy for us, that she’s only here because she feels sorry for you.” “Do you believe that?” Emma was quiet for a long moment. “No. I think she likes us.” “So do I.” “But what if she leaves? What if she goes back to her fancy life and we never see her again? Lucas didn’t have an answer for that because the truth was he’d been thinking the same thing.
Wondering how long this fragile peace would last before Amelia’s real life caught up with her. I don’t know, sweetheart. But we’ll be okay either way. Promise? He wanted to promise, wanted to tell her that nothing would change, that they were safe now. But he’d learned the hard way that promises meant nothing against the universe’s indifference.
I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep us together and safe. That’s the best I can do. Emma nodded, not quite satisfied but accepting it. Lucas left her to decompress heading back downstairs. Amelia was in the living room with Mason reading him a board book about farm animals. She looked up when Lucas entered. Is Emma okay? Kids at school said some stuff about us.
Ah. Amelia set the book down. What kind of stuff? That you’re my girlfriend, that we’re together. Lucas ran a hand through his hair. Small towns, everyone knows everyone’s business. And they’ve decided I’m your business. Something like that. Amelia was quiet, absently stroking Mason’s hair.
The baby was almost asleep, thumb in his mouth. Does it bother you? She asked. What they’re saying? It bothers Emma. That’s not what I asked. Lucas met her eyes. I don’t know. Does it bother you? Not as much as it probably should. The air between them felt charged suddenly, heavy with things unsaid. Mason started to fuss breaking the moment.
Amelia stood cradling him. I’ll put him down, she said. Amelia, we should probably talk about this. Just not right now. She headed for the stairs. Let me get him settled first. Lucas stood alone in the living room, heart beating too fast, wondering what the hell he was doing. Wondering if Emma’s classmates had seen something he’d been too scared to admit.
20 minutes later Amelia came back downstairs. Lucas was on the porch staring at nothing. Okay, she said sitting beside him. Let’s talk. About what? About whatever this is. Because clearly it’s something. Lucas was quiet for a long moment. I don’t know what this is. Neither do I, but Emma’s worried and she shouldn’t have to worry about adult problems. No, she shouldn’t.
So we need to figure it out. Are we Amelia hesitated. Are we just two people helping each other through hard times or is this something else? What do you want it to be? I asked first. Lucas looked at her, really looked. Saw the woman who’d shown up at 3:00 a.m. looking for escape. The woman who’d learned to fix fences and fold laundry and sing his son to sleep.
The woman who’d saved his home without asking for anything in return except a place to belong. I don’t know, he said honestly. I know I like having you here. I know my kids are happier. I know the house feels less empty, but I don’t know if that’s because you’re you or because you’re just someone who’s not me. That’s fair.
What about you? What do you want? Amelia pulled her knees to her chest looking younger suddenly, vulnerable. I want to stay. Not forever maybe, but longer than I probably should. And I don’t know if that’s because I’m hiding from my real life or because this feels more real than anything I left behind. So we’re both confused.
Comprehensively. They sat in silence for a while. The sun was setting painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. We should probably keep things simple, Lucas said finally. For Emma’s sake, for everyone’s sake. Agreed. But I don’t want you to leave. Not yet. I’m not planning to. Good.
