Tess may not be my favorite person on the planet, but I truly didn’t want my hunch to be correct. My run-ins with Tess haven’t been pleasant, but I know even the strongest of women could fall victim to an abuser who continually promises them the world. Especially someone like Tess who desires the world.
“Ellie, are you ready to pick a movie?”
She rushes back downstairs. “Do you want to order from one of our normal places and save the Thai for when Dad is back?”
“Sure. Chinese or pizza?”
“Chinese,” she replies. “Can we get some of the moo shu pork Dad hates?”
I laugh. “Absolutely.”
Ellie flops down on the couch with the remote in her hand. “I’ll find a movie. Maybe something a bit more girly than normal since it’s just us girls tonight. Does that work?”
“Definitely.” After placing our dinner order, I grab drinks and join Ellie in the living room. She momentarily pauses on Sixteen Candles but then chooses Sweet Home Alabama. Both excellent choices.
Ellie starts the movie and curls up in the corner of the couch. “Have you seen this one before?”
“Not the entire movie. Bits and pieces when I catch it on cable.”
“Cool.”
Ellie is silent for most of the movie. We take a break and spread our dinner on the coffee table.
When things start to fall into place for the main character, Ellie pauses the movie. “You’re kind of like Melanie, except you didn’t run away to another city. You don’t leave when it gets tough.”
I don’t miss the “like her mother” she didn’t say out loud. After a deep breath, I reply, “I can see where you would draw the comparison.”
“Is my mom going to be okay?”
“All I know is your mom is injured, and Tommy went to assist her. I don’t know the extent of her injuries or how they happened.”
“Is it weird to be here with me while Dad is taking care of his ex-wife?”
“No. I trust Tommy. I believe in what we’re building, the three of us.” There’s plenty of reasons that Tommy and Tess are divorced, but I’m not going to share them with Ellie. I’m sure he still cares about Tess as Ellie’s mom and nothing else.
“After they got divorced, at least initially, I didn’t want Dad to find someone. I didn’t want to share him. I needed at least one parent to be always available for me. Even when they were married, it was always Dad. He would stay home from work when I was sick, even though Mom was home. I cherish my time with Dad, especially when I had to go to Mom’s. Since he met you, I realize he was probably dating but some of the women didn’t want me. Mom was dating as best I can remember almost immediately.”
“While that may be true, it’s in no way your fault. My sister Lina is a single mom, and the reason isn’t her fault. To me, Lina is as worthy as I am to share her life with someone. It shouldn’t matter her first marriage ended in divorce or Em and Antonio come along with the deal. Some women want to start a relationship with no potential drama. I’ll admit it has been a bit rocky with Tess, but it doesn’t impact how I feel about you and your dad. From the beginning, I saw you as another person I could love and guide as much as you would let me.”
“Thanks, Frankie.”
“You’re welcome. When I know more, I’ll share with you.”
Ellie restarts the movie, and I finish my lukewarm pork fried rice. After Melanie and Jake finally have an appropriate wedding reception, Ellie clears our dishes.
Once everything is loaded into the dishwasher, she hugs me tight. “How is this going to work when Mom gets home?”
“What do you mean?”
“Does it go back to the way it was before when I go between the houses every other day and every other weekend?” Her tone gets increasingly upset.
“I don’t know. I suppose that’s between your parents. You could also tell them how you feel.” My tone is even and flat in the hopes my anger doesn’t come through. Ellie doesn’t deserve to feel caught between her parents. Yet both deserve time with her. “What would it look like for you? I know it’s a hard question to answer.”
“So like, bigger chunks of time at each house, I think. I don’t know if it could work, but… I don’t like the going back and forth every other day.”
“Thank you for sharing, Ellie. You should probably share your feelings with your parents.”
“I’ll think about it. If I decide to, will you be there with me?”
It’ll be difficult, but… “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Cool. I’m going to call Kylie and then maybe Jamie.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“Good night. Thank you for choosing us.”
“Thank you for letting me. Love you more, Ellie.”
“Love you most, Frankie.” Then she disappears up the stairs.
I push out a harsh breath. Not only does my heart beat for Tommy but for Ellie too. I rummage through the drawer in the kitchen and locate Tommy’s keys. Other than our bed, this is the closest I can be to him right now. I hurry across the grass and throw open the workshop door. The smell of the wood and varnish assail my senses.
I completely understand Tommy’s love of this space. My skill level doesn’t come close to his, but I feel him in here. As if he heard my heart searching for his, my phone rings.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Sunshine.” He sounds upset. “How are things there?”
“Ellie is fine, but she’s going to need some information soon. In my opinion, it should come from Tess.”
“What did she say?” Worry laces his tone.
“Nothing for you to be worried about until you get home. How is Tess?”
“You’re remarkable, Sunshine. I have never met anyone as selfless and loving as you. Not only am I in an awkward and impossible situation, but you could also see it that way too. Yet you step in and support me and Ellie.”
“As are you, going to Tess despite everything she puts you and Ellie through,” I add.
“I think you’re forgetting what she’s done to you as well.”
No, I didn’t forget, don’t think I ever will. “No, but you and Ellie are more important than my feelings toward Tess. I tolerate Tess because she will always be a part of your life and Ellie’s. Hopefully, she’ll see I follow through and I’m not going anywhere.” Silence runs through the phone line.
“Tommy?”
“I’m here. Where are you? Can Ellie hear you?”
“No, I’m sitting in your workshop.”
“Why, Sunshine?”
“I needed to be closer to you, and this is the best I can do right now.”
“Is it working?” His response comes out low.
“A little bit.” I would prefer to curl up in your arms where I feel loved and protected. “Don’t worry about us. We’re fine.”
“I worry about both of you constantly when I’m not with you. As far as Tess, you were right. Michael is abusing her.”
“Oh. Of all things to be right about, I wish I wasn’t.”
“I know. She is being released in the next hour or so. My plan is to drive back home overnight.”
“Okay. Does she have somewhere safe to go? Will she need a grocery delivery?”
“Every hour she needs to be checked on for tonight and through the day tomorrow. I would prefer to be home with you and Ellie, not somewhere else with Tess.”
I will do this for them. Tess will always be part of this family too. “I’ll fix up the guest room for her.”
“There are no adequate words to explain what this means to me. Thank you. I’ll be home as soon as I can. I love you most, Sunshine.”
“I love you more.” With a deep breath, I lock up the workshop and get to work. Within an hour, I’ve changed the sheets, found extra pillows, and freshened the towels in the guest bathroom. I check on Ellie and fall into our bed.