Chapter 8: Weighing In

The chill of January was no match for the warmth of the Tyler family living room. With their heater on high, freshly dried laundry to fold, and a comfortable sofa beneath them, Reesa and Hazel could block out almost anything. Unfortunately for the former's inclinations, the latter had different ideas.

“Do you know what you’re going to do?”

Hearing Hazel's question, Reesa thought of her predicament with Myko. She realized this wasn’t what her mother was referring to, however, when she saw that Hazel was looking at an invitation on their coffee table.

“I’m not sure, Mama. Ms. Joanne’s retirement party will be packed, and our neighbors always ask too many questions. As much as I love a big seafood boil, I’m not up for an interrogation.”

“Don’t let a few busybodies stop you from having fun,” Hazel said and reached into the laundry basket to retrieve another garment. Her eyes never wandering from folding, she continued her train of thought. “Besides, you deserve it. Since you’ve taken this time off, you’ve spent most of it cooped up with me.”

Reesa paused her own folding and frowned. “I like spending time with you, Mama.”

“I feel the same way, but I remember how you used to have all these dreams and plans to take on the world, and I worry I’m holding you back.”

“Oh, great. This isn’t about the seafood boil anymore. Can we not go down this road?”

Hazel pushed the clothing aside. “What do you think about Myko’s offer?”

“Didn’t you teach me not to answer a question with a question?” Reesa asked, but seeing that Hazel was still waiting, she gave in. “I’m interested, very interested, but I’m leaning toward saying ‘no’ and just asking to stay on as his secretary.”

“Why?”

She reflected on her and Myko’s discussions, both at Vincenzo’s and in texts they’d traded since. “I don’t think this is the right time to take that kind of job.”

“The kind of job that features lots of globetrotting?”

“Yes.”

“I see. So, this is about leaving me.”

“No . . . well, yes, in part. But I don’t want to leave Tamara without my support either.”

“You don’t have to worry about us, Reesa. Listen, I’ve watched you put your life on hold for too long. From the moment your father died, you stopped making decisions for yourself and started to concentrate on me, Tamara, and whatever you thought we needed. For all you’ve done, I'm grateful. But honey, you have to live for yourself.”

“You’re talking as though the two of you are in my way when you’re not. And I'm not the only one who looks out for this family. We all contribute.”

“I know, but contributions and how you make them can change. Take your sister, for example. Her program is getting more demanding, and Joanne wants something to do with her new free time. They asked me how I felt about her taking over some of Tamara’s caregiving, and I gave it the green light.”

Reesa’s eyebrows went up. “Where was I?”

“Recovering.”

“Well, I'm happy for all three of you, and I think it’s a good move, but you can’t say it’s not a big change.”

“Yes, it’ll mean Tamara being less involved than we’re used to, but it’ll also give her space to focus on her goals and take care of herself. Plus, it’ll give Joanne and me time to rejuvenate our friendship. See how that works?”

“I do, but my situation's different.”

“How so?”

“Tamara’s got a legitimate reason to step back.”

“And you don’t?”

The opening of their front door stymied her chance to answer.

“Hey, can’t talk long,” Tamara said breathlessly. “I have to be back on campus soon.”

Reesa put down the blouse she'd been folding and twisted to see her sister. “You’re here for lunch?”

“Uh-huh,” Tamara said as she hung up her coat and tote bag. “It’s so cold out there. Kaleb had to scrape ice off his windshield before he brought me home.”

Reesa and Hazel traded grins. It appeared Reesa’s decision to introduce Kaleb to Tamara was paying dividends.

“How is he?” Hazel asked.

“Great! He’s got some Kappa brothers coming from out of town to see him this weekend. He wants to introduce me to them.”

“Oh?” Reesa queried.

“Yeah. Wait, what’s so funny?”

Reesa and Hazel barely managed to hold in their mirth long enough to respond.

“You like him,” Hazel said. “You obviously like him. Even Reesa can tell, and you know she’s not good at catching signals.”

“Hey!” Reesa said as the laughter evolved at her expense. Then, she shrugged. “You’re not wrong. I’m still kicking myself for thinking that guy at the market was just being neighborly.”

Tamara shook her head. “Only you would think free strawberries with every purchase was being neighborly.”

“Whatever. Back to you and Kaleb. Is it a thing?”

“I don’t know,” Tamara said. She disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes before returning with a bowl of vegetable stew. “We’re not rushing or planning anything. We’re new friends and that’s probably all we'll be for a while.”

Hazel pulled a blanket from the basket and spread it over her lap. “Nothing the matter with taking things slow, just as long as you’re doing it because you want to, and not because you’re stuck in a rut.”

“We’re talking about Reesa now?”

“Apparently so,” Reesa said.

“Is this about that job? Because I say go for it.”

“You too?” Reesa asked as Hazel clapped her hands with glee.

“Yes. From what I heard, it’ll be good for you and your wallet. You could enjoy yourself instead of poring over the household budget.”

“I can’t stake this choice on money alone, Tammy. If I want to do it right, things could get intense. That would affect my work-life balance even more.”

“I know. But I read what Myko asked you to look over, and it looks like it can be flexible too, at least more flexible than a nine-to-five. And if you’re worried about things getting hairy, you should know that I intercepted his last call to Kaleb—”

“Tammy, no.”

“—and I told him what would happen if he messed up again.”

Reesa rubbed her temples, rose to her feet, and headed for the hall that led from the room.

“What are you going to do now?” Hazel asked.

“I . . . am going to make a phone call.”