Chapter 2 - The Beach and the RealityThe resort looked almost unreal.
White balconies overlooked the water, palm trees shaded the pool, and the air smelled faintly of salt.
I stood in the lobby staring through the enormous windows.
Daniel laughed.
“You haven’t even reached the beach yet.”
“I can hear it.”
“That’s usually how oceans work.”
Macy smiled, though she looked exhausted.
Their youngest, Noah, was crying because his shoe felt wrong. Six-year-old Emma wanted a snack. Ten-year-old Caleb was trying to connect his tablet to the hotel Wi-Fi.
I helped settle everyone while Daniel checked us in.
That evening, I walked down to the beach alone.
The first wave washed over my feet.
And I cried.
Daniel came up behind me.
“Good tears?”
“The best kind.”
He slipped an arm around my shoulders.
“You deserve this, Mom.”
I believed him.
The next morning, Daniel stayed at the hotel to finish a work call while Macy took the children to the beach with me.
She dropped a large bag beside my chair, handed me sunscreen, and checked her phone.
“I’m going to meet Daniel for breakfast.”
“I thought he was working.”
“He’ll finish soon.”
Then she started walking away.
“Macy, are the children coming with you?”
May you like
She turned.
“Maybe I forgot to mention it, but you’re here as the babysitter.”
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