“It was a wonderful place to grow up,” Jack concurred, “and it has proven a wonderful place to raise my girls.”
“Well, you know what they say…you can’t go home again,” Nora shrugged. “It’s been too long, Jack. My life doesn’t even resemble the life of the girl who used to live here.”
“Well, you can’t go home again because your mother’s house is much too small,” Jack quipped.
Nora laughed. “Are you kidding? My kids wouldn’t know how to act in that town.”
“I’m the basketball coach at the high school these days,” Jack said with a persuasive smile.
Nora shook her head. “Well, that sounds tempting, but I can’t take Grant and Emily out of school, and I miss them so much already.”
“Sometimes it’s okay to think about yourself,” Jack nodded.
“Until you become a parent,” Nora replied.
“Even then,” Jack shook his head. “You aren’t doing your kids any favors by not taking care of yourself.”
Nora thought for a moment. “It would be nice to spend a little more time here, but it’s not really practical.”
“Practical is overrated,” Jack winked.
“Jack Nelson, are you flirting with me?” Nora gasped.
“Is it working?” Jack grinned.
“It always has,” Nora sighed.
“I don’t understand how a man could have a treasure like you and not realize just what he had,” Jack gulped.
“I know Randy loves me,” Nora lowered her head. “But…”
“But…” Jack repeated when her statement fell off.
Nora lifted her gaze to meet Jack’s. “I think it’s time for me to live my own life for awhile. I have spent so many years being Randy’s wife, and being here has reminded me of the entire life I left behind. I don’t think I realized just how much I missed this place…especially you.”
Jack looked down at his watch. “What time is your flight?”
Nora checked the time on the clock on the wall. With a gasp, she brought her hand to her mouth. “I missed my plane.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Jack grinned. “When Jessica’s plane arrives, we’ll give you a lift back to Hope Hull.”
Nora laughed, imagining what in the world her mother would say when she learned that fate had practically propelled her into Jack’s arms as she tried to escape town. “Only if we stop at the grocery store on the way back,” she smiled. “I’ll cook dinner for you and your girls tonight.”
“Well, I’m certainly not going to argue with that,” Jack said, standing. “It sounds like dinner at my place tonight.”
Emily was sitting alone on the front steps when Melissa pulled into the driveway at Randy and Nora’s house. “How are you doing?” Melissa asked, sitting down next to Emily.
Emily tucked her cell phone into the pocket of her jeans. “I was just texting a few friends to let them know I won’t be at school tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Em,” Melissa sighed. “I think this caught us all a little off-guard.”
Emily nodded. “Rachel came by this morning and helped me pack. I asked her if I could stay with her, but she and I both know she really doesn’t have the money to take care of me right now. I suggested that I get an after-school job to help out, but we decided it’s best if I just go with Mom… somebody needs to be there for Grant.”
“I can’t believe y’all are moving to Tennessee,” Melissa shook her head.
“Mom should be here within the hour,” Emily said softly. “Rachel went to pick her up at the airport.”
Three days earlier, Nora had called Randy, informed him that she had missed her flight back to North Carolina and added, almost as a side note, that she planned to file for divorce. The following day, she stunned him by calling back and declaring that she was moving back home to Hope Hull, and she would be coming home just long enough to pack a few things and pick up the kids.”
“How is Grant taking all of this?” Melissa asked as she draped her arm over Emily’s shoulders.
“He hasn’t busted any windows or burned any buildings down if that’s what you’re getting at,” Emily sighed. She shook her head as her eyes glazed over with tears. “It’s his senior year…it’s basketball season…this isn’t fair.”
“I know,” Melissa nodded. “As soon as we found out what was going on, David called your mom and asked if you guys could stay with us until the end of the school year, but that’s not what she wants. She said Grant will be leaving for college at the end of the school year, and she wants to spend these last few months with him.”
Emily stood. “I have to go inside and make sure I’m all ready to go. Joanna is in Grant’s room, helping him pack. I’m sure they’d appreciate some help.”
Grant crammed his clothes into a suitcase on the floor.
“Grant, if you will try folding those, you could fit more,” Joanna insisted.
“I’ve got this under control,” Grant grumbled as he crawled on top of his suitcase in an effort to close it.
As Joanna watched him, she found herself becoming increasingly angry with her mother and then, remembering which domino had been the first to fall, at her father. She picked up Grant’s basketball and hugged it close to her.
“Joey?” Grant frowned as he looked up from his suitcase.
