The Last Song(6)
“Ronnie!” Steve could hear Kim’s exasperation.
“What?” She tossed her head. “I thought I’d get that out of the way early.”
Before Kim could respond, Steve shook his head. The last thing he wanted was an argument. “It’s okay, Kim.”
“Yeah, Mom. It’s okay,” Ronnie said, pouncing. “I need to stretch my legs. I’m going for a walk.”
As she stomped away, Steve watched Kim struggle with the impulse to call her back. In the end, though, she said nothing.
“Long drive?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“You can’t even imagine it.”
He smiled, thinking that for just an instant, it was easy to imagine they were still married, both of them on the same team, both of them still in love.
Except, of course, that they weren’t.
After unloading the bags, Steve went to the kitchen, where he tapped ice cubes from the old-fashioned tray and dropped them into the mismatched glasses that had come with the place.
Behind him, he heard Kim enter the kitchen. He reached for a pitcher of sweet tea, poured two glasses, and handed one to her. Outside, Jonah was alternately chasing, and being chased by, the waves as seagulls fluttered overhead.
“It looks like Jonah’s having fun,” he said.
Kim took a step toward the window. “He’s been excited about coming for weeks.” She hesitated. “He’s missed you.”
“I’ve missed him.”
“I know,” she said. She took a drink of her tea before glancing around the kitchen. “So this is the place, huh? It’s got… character.”
“By character, I assume you’ve noticed the leaky roof and lack of air-conditioning.”
Kim flashed a brief smile, caught.
“I know it’s not much. But it’s quiet and I can watch the sun come up.”
“And the church is letting you stay here for free?”
Steve nodded. “It belonged to Carson Johnson. He was a local artist, and when he passed away, he left the house to the church. Pastor Harris is letting me stay until they’re ready to sell.”
“So what’s it like living back home? I mean, your parents used to live, what? Three blocks from here?”
Seven, actually. Close. “It’s all right.” He shrugged.
“It’s so crowded now. The place has really changed since the last time I was here.”
“Everything changes,” he said. He leaned against the counter, crossing one leg over the other. “So when’s the big day?” he asked, changing the subject. “For you and Brian?”
“Steve… about that.”
“It’s okay,” he said, raising a hand. “I’m glad you found someone.”
Kim stared at him, clearly wondering whether to accept his words at face value or plunge into sensitive territory.
“In January,” she finally said. “And I want you to know that with the kids… Brian doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t. You’d like him.”
“I’m sure I would,” he said, taking a sip of his tea. He set the glass back down. “How do the kids feel about him?”
“Jonah seems to like him, but Jonah likes everyone.”
“And Ronnie?”
“She gets along with him about as well as she gets along with you.”
He laughed before noting her worried expression. “How’s she really doing?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “And I don’t think she does, either. She’s in this dark, moody phase. She ignores her curfew, and half the time I can’t get more than a ‘Whatever’ when I try to talk to her. I try to write it off as typical teenage stuff, because I remember what it was like… but…” She shook her head. “You saw the way she was dressed, right? And her hair and that god-awful mascara?”
“Mmm.”
“And?”
“It could be worse.”
Kim opened her mouth to say something, but when nothing came out, Steve knew he was right. Whatever stage she was going through, whatever Kim’s fears, Ronnie was still Ronnie.
“I guess,” she conceded, before shaking her head. “No, I know you’re right. It’s just been so difficult with her lately. There are times she’s still as sweet as ever. Like with Jonah. Even though they fight like cats and dogs, she still brings him to the park every weekend. And when he was having trouble in math, she tutored him every night. Which is strange, because she’s barely passing any of her classes. And I haven’t told you this, but I made her take the SATs in February. She missed every single question. Do you know how smart you have to be to miss every single question?”