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JJ and her boys had been living in a motel for almost a week now. A couple of months ago, when she had decided to sell her old house, she thought it had been a necessary evil to be able to move forward after her husband’s death. At first, she thought she was betraying Will, like she wanted to erase him somehow, but then she came to the realisation that people you loved weren’t tied to something as shallow as a house or a couple of objects, and that while she still lived, she would always carry him with her, through her kids and through the beautiful life full of memories she was lucky enough to have shared with him. So, after she took that big step, she found another house to settle in, a smaller one, but just as nice. But then, after barely three months of moving in, a pipe burst, making the whole place unlivable. So again, they had to pack their bags and move out.
The motel wasn’t that bad. Actually, it was one of the higher-end motels, with always clean sheets and furniture that didn’t look like it was going to break with a gust of wind, but the place wasn’t the problem. The problem was sharing the same living space with a strenuous eleven-year-old and a moody teenager. They had been there for five days, and it was already taking a toll on JJ’s physical, mental and emotional state.
While eating take-out, yet again, in bed, someone rang the doorbell. JJ looked at her watch. It was too late for visits.
“Guys, get in the bathroom.” JJ pointed and waited until her kids were away to open the door. It was Emily.
“Hey.”
“Emily?” JJ looked surprised and, at the same time, relieved to see a familiar face. “What—what are you doing here?”
“Penelope told me you were living in a motel now, and I didn’t believe her,” Emily said as she inspected the room from the doorframe. “But I guess I was wrong.”
“Right, it’s—it’s temporary for now. A pipe burst in the new house, and I’m getting it fixed. It’s just been so crazy these past few days, I must’ve forgot to mention it.”
She didn’t forget. The only person she told was Penelope, who kindly offered her apartment as her temporary home, but JJ knew the place was way too small, and it was supposed to be for one night anyway, so she figured a motel would do the trick. But of course, one night turned into four, and now, the plumber gave her an estimate of two weeks to have everything in order again. For the record, she did think about telling Emily, but she didn’t want to impose, and now that they were on good terms again, she didn’t want to take advantage or pressure her into something she didn’t want to do.
“It’s alright. All crimes are forgiven now,” Emily said. “'Cause I’ve come to try to convince you to move in with me.”
JJ chuckled. “What?”
“I know your kids’ schools are a bit farther from my place than here, but you know I’ve got the space, and I’d like you three to come and live with me.”
“Emily—”
“No, no no. If what you’re gonna say doesn’t start with ‘yes, Emily, I’d love to’ you better not say anything.”
“I—”
“Na-uh.” Emily gestured, holding her index finger up.
“Can we, Mom, please?” Michael said from the bathroom doorframe.
“Michael, don’t—” JJ covered her face with one hand, a bit embarrassed. “I thought you liked the motel.”
“Yeah, but Emily’s apartment is so much better. Do you still have the PlayStation, Emily?”
“Oh, yeah,” Emily answered, raising her tone slightly. She always did that when talking to kids. JJ had always thought it was cute. “But I warn you, I’ve been practising on the FIFA, bud, so this time I’m ready.”
“It’s not called the FIFA, Emily. It’s just FIFA.”
JJ couldn’t help but chuckle. Emily had always tried so much to be liked by her kids, and she could tell Michael had missed her.
“Okay, first.” JJ walked towards her younger son. “If we go, you have to promise me, both of you,” she looked at Henry too, “that you’ll behave and you will take very good care of all her stuff. We’re her guests, okay?”
“Yes, we promise,” They both said.
“Good. Go pack your things, now.”
She looked at Emily and mouthed a thank you.
“Can I drive your car, Em?” Henry asked.
But before Emily could answer, JJ interrupted. “Absolutely not.”
JJ started to think that maybe her kids liking Emily too much was going to bring her more problems than anything. But if she was being honest with herself, she’s always liked Emily a little too much, too.