Page 104 of Under Water

“He’s out with Easton right now, but you can call his phone. He’s pissed off at me right now, so it’s probably better if you talk directly to him.”

“Oh, honey⁠—”

“No, it’s my fault. All of this is. I’m the one who married that fucking tool because I was lonely and sad and ignored every one of his red flags. And now I don’t know how to fix it.”

“It sounds like him getting arrested and you divorcing him is a good start,” she says, and I swear I can hear the smile in her voice.

I snort. “I suppose. But Elio asked me when he’s going back to school, and⁠—”

“Oh, fuck that,” she snaps, cutting me off. “Back to that place who handed him over to Neal?”

I feel a small surge of triumph in my chest. “Exactly!” But then I deflate because I’m starting to understand a bit better why Elio doesn’t want to leave. “He has friends there though. Good friends. Actual friends who like him. And he likes his teachers and his aides. He’s got a good routine there.”

She lets out a heavy breath. “I get that. But something has to be done. They can’t get away with what happened, Rune.”

“I’m going to talk to my lawyer today. I don’t think he’ll be able to help me with the school thing, but he might know someone who can.” It means I have a mountain of more shit to take care of, and technically I have work tomorrow, and the thought of trying to do any of it is making my head spin. “It’s a lot.”

Daphne hums. “I’m getting a flight out tonight.”

“What? No, you don’t need to do that.”

She scoffs. “I need to put my arms around my child and squeeze him for one. And for two, it sounds like you could use some support. I know you have your workmates, and you have Easton, but I also need to meet him and judge for myself if he’s the right one.”

I laugh. “My mom said the same thing.”

“Brilliant lady. Love Jodi.”

I grin and nod. “Yeah, she loves you too.” I pause, then sigh. “But if I’m being honest, I think it would be nice to see you. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, babes. There’s a flight that’ll get me to Boston at like six tomorrow morning. I’m going to be on that plane, okay?”

“Okay,” I breathe out and realize I feel better. “Do you think it would be a terrible decision to keep Elio in his school?”

She snorts. “Babes, if you think for a second that they will ever let anyone take him without proving who they are seven different ways, then you’re out of your mind. They’ll just be grateful you’re not trying to shut them down.”

“It crossed my mind,” I say, letting some of my anger bleed into my tone. “All day yesterday, I fantasized about burning it to the ground.”

“This is why you’re the most amazing dad,” she says with a laugh, and I feel a flush creep from my neck to my cheeks. “But I do think maybe you should explain to Elio why you’re nervous about him going back. Once he’s not so freaked-out, he’ll probably see it rationally. He’s a good kid. He’s a smart kid.”

“He is. Just like you.”

My phone buzzes, and I hold it down to check the screen.

Easton: Elio wants you to come to the gazebo if you can.

“Elio’s asking for me,” I tell her. “Mind if I get going?”

“No. I’m going to pack, then I’ll give him a ring…say in about an hour?”

“Perfect.” I stand up with a heavy sigh. “I love you.”

“Aww, babes. I love you too. See you soon.”

We hang up, and I feel better, though I know Daphne must be an emotional mess. She’s always been better at keeping herself together than I have, and I think I might need that in my life. Easton is steady, but he’s also new, and I don’t want to start this thing between us, now that it’s real, with such a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Easton meets me at the gazebo door with a small kiss and a hand-squeeze. “He wants to talk to you by himself. I’m going to go do the morning bee check for Leo, and then I’ll make us some breakfast.”

“Pancake frittatas?”