But Steve was an altogether different kind of parent.
Ronnie had told him that he would sit with her for hours as she learned to play the piano, but in all the time he’d been at the house, he’d never heard Steve talk about it. He hadn’t even mentioned it in passing, and though at first Will thought it odd, he began to see it as a powerful indication of his love for Ronnie. She didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t, even though it had been a major part of their life together. He’d even boarded up the alcove because she didn’t want to be reminded of it.
What kind of person would do that?
Only Steve, a man he’d grown to admire, a man he’d learned from, and the kind of man he himself hoped to be as he grew older.
He was awakened by the morning sunlight streaming through the living room windows, and he stretched before rising to his feet. Peeking down the hall, he saw that the door to Ronnie’s room was open, and he knew that she was already awake. He found her on the porch in the same spot as the night before. She didn’t turn around.
“Good morning,” he said.
Her shoulders sagged as she turned toward him. “Good morning,” she said, offering the slightest of smiles. She opened her arms, and he wrapped himself around her, grateful for the embrace.
“I’m sorry about last night,” she said.
“There’s no reason to be sorry.” He nuzzled her hair. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Mmmm,” she said. “But thanks anyway.”
“I didn’t hear you get up.”
“I’ve been up for a while.” She sighed. “I called the hospital and talked to my dad. Though he didn’t say as much, I could tell he’s still in a lot of pain. He thinks they might keep him for a couple of days after his tests are done.”
In almost any other situation, he would have assured her that everything would be fine, that it would all work out. But in this case, they both knew the words would mean nothing. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers.
“Were you able to get any sleep? I heard you wandering around last night.”
“Not really. I finally crawled in bed with Jonah, but my brain just wouldn’t shut off. But not just because of what’s going on with my dad.” She paused. “It was because of you, too. You’re leaving in a couple of days.”
“I already told you I could postpone it. If you need me to stay, I will…”
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to. You’re about to start a whole new chapter of your life, and I can’t take that away from you.”
“But I don’t have to go now. Classes don’t start right away—”
“I don’t want you to,” she said again. Her voice was soft but implacable. “You’re going off to college, and it’s not your problem. I know that might sound harsh, but it isn’t. He’s my dad, not yours, and that will never change. And I don’t want to think about what you might be giving up, in addition to everything else that’s going on in my life. Can you understand that?”
Her words had the ring of truth to them, even if he wished she were wrong. After a moment, he untied his macramé bracelet and held it out to her.
“I want you to have this,” he whispered, and by her expression, he could tell that she understood how much her acceptance meant to him.
She flashed a small smile as she closed her hand around it. He thought she was about to say something when both of them heard the workshop door suddenly bang open. For an instant, Will thought someone had broken in. Then he saw Jonah clumsily dragging a broken chair outside. With enormous effort, he lifted it up and tossed it over the dune near the workshop. Even from this distance, Will could see the fury in Jonah’s expression.
Ronnie was already moving off the porch.
“Jonah!” she screamed, breaking into a run.
Will leapt after her, almost bumping into her as she reached the workshop door. Looking past her, he saw Jonah trying to push a heavy crate across the floor. He was struggling mightily, oblivious to their sudden appearance.
“What are you doing?” Ronnie cried. “When did you come out here?”
Jonah continued to push at the crate, grunting with the effort.
“Jonah!” Ronnie shouted.
Her cry broke through his tunnel-like focus, and he turned toward Will and his sister, surprised by their presence. “I can’t reach it!” he cried, angry and on the verge of tears. “I’m not tall enough!”
“Can’t reach what?” she asked before taking a sudden step forward. “You’re bleeding!” she said, panic rising in her voice.