“Yeah. It wasn’t a good idea.” I shrugged. “But Hallie and Luna were worth it.”
“How do they feel about Winnie?”
“They adore her.”
“So let me ask you this. Does this thing with Winnie feel different from what you had with Naomi?”
“Night and day,” I told him.
“Do you think maybe you could try to give away more of yourself, at least enough to make Winnie feel like you’re not going anywhere, no matter what? Because that’s the only way to get her back.”
I looked at him sideways. “That sounds scary as fuck.”
“I know. And don’t do it unless you mean it, or I’ll have to kick your ass. She’s still my little cousin.”
“I know.”
“And if it works out and we move up here, our kids can play baseball together. We can coach them. Or we can be those asshole dads on the bleachers that know everything.”
Laughing, I picked up my beer again. “If I’m ever that guy, please kick my ass.”
We hung out another hour or so, and then Chip had to leave to meet up with Mariah for dinner with his mom and stepdad. After he left, I noticed I had a text from my sister.
Hey, if you’re not busy, can you come by? I have something for you. We just ordered pizza and salad and you’re welcome to eat with us.
It wasn’t even seven and I had no plans until I was scheduled to pick up the girls at ten-thirty, so I replied that I’d swing by in about twenty. I paid my bill and headed out.
I let myself in their back door and found Bree in the kitchen. As soon as she saw me, she handed me an envelope that said Dexter on it. The handwriting was unfamiliar.
“It’s from Dad,” she said, holding up her palms like she was innocent. “I didn’t read it, I don’t know what it says, I’m not pressuring you to read it. I only said I’d give it to you, and now I have.”
I leaned back against the counter while Bree took out plates, forks, and napkins. Staring at the envelope in my hand, I grappled with conflicting emotions. “You saw him today?”
“Yes.”
“Did you take the kids?”
She nodded. “We all went.”
“How was it?”
“Okay, I guess. He can’t get out of bed anymore, so we just visited for a little bit in his room.”
“That sounds depressing.”
She shrugged. “My kids are so small, they don’t know anything. Justin said hello and went back to the living room. He mostly sat with Gloria and the kids out there while I talked to Dad.”
“What does he say?”
“He actually did more talking today. He told me about the way he grew up, his abusive father, his mother’s nervous breakdowns. It was sad, but it gave me a lot of insight into him.” She opened the fridge. “Want a beer?”
“No, thanks.”
She took one out for herself and popped the cap off. “I don’t think he has too much more time.”
“Months? Weeks?”
“I didn’t ask.” She tipped up her beer. “So tonight was the wedding, right?”
“Yeah. I have to pick up the girls from the reception in a few hours. We’re meeting Winnie in the morning at eight.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Winnie’s in town?”
I nodded. “She had a work event at Cloverleigh Farms tonight and she’s flying out tomorrow.”
“Have you seen her yet?”
“Just briefly on the porch yesterday.” I grimaced. “I didn’t handle it too well.”
She smiled. “What did you do, ask her to spend the night?”
“No,” I said, although that’s exactly what I’d had in mind. “I just asked if I could see her later, because she was in a hurry. But she said no.”
My sister shrugged. “You can’t blame her, Dex. If you want her back, you have to make it clear something has changed.”
“I know,” I said, tapping the letter against the palm of my hand. “I’m thinking about it.”
Although I didn’t have much appetite, I ate some dinner with Bree and Justin and headed home around eight.
When I got there, I stared at the envelope on the counter for a solid fifteen minutes before working up the courage to tear it open. I did it less out of curiosity for what he had to say than to prove to myself I could still do hard things.
Unfolding the typed pages, I began to read.
Dear Dexter,
I am sorry this letter isn’t written by hand, but I asked Gloria to type it for me because my writing is too shaky and I want every word to be clear.