Page 60 of Strictly Business
MICHAELA
I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED why Finn preferred to hang around our family when the Sheffields had everything. Why would this kid who could have anything — literally, anything — in the whole world want to be around my family? We didn’t have the money or the access they had. We didn’t have a big, fancy house or a bunch of cars or a pool. We had your standard run-of-the-mill suburban middle-class home. The boys were always hanging out at either of the Davis households, very rarely did they take a trip to the Sheffields. And if they did, it was only because Oliver and Hayley were out of town. It never made sense to me, but now it does. He was still looking for the one thing he’d always wanted, the one thing he had hoped to find in his adopted parents, but instead, he found it in us.
Pulling up to the familiar house, I feel a newfound appreciation for what’s inside. Unconditional love. Acceptance. Understanding. All of the things I needed while finding my way through this mess that I’ve created with David. I had been so worried my parents would be upset because my marriage didn’t last as long as theirs, but recently, I’ve been reminded of who my parents truly are. They’d never judge me. They would be there for me and give me the support I need.
Mom steps out onto the front porch with a confused smile and a small wave. I didn’t tell them I was coming. I didn’t even know I was coming. I decided last night to surprise them and spend the weekend at home. I’d spend the weekend with them and when the time was right, I’d come clean about everything. I had no idea what I was going to say, but I knew it was time — it was long overdue. I promised Finn I would tell them before I left no matter what. He had asked me only once after that first night in his condo when I wanted to tell my family, but I didn’t know. “Might be a little awkward if we start showing up together when I’m supposed to be married to someone else.” I laughed, but even with the small smile on his lips, I knew he didn’t find it amusing. They still didn’t know about me and David, and could I (or should I) drop both bombshells at the same time? Even though he didn’t push it, I know it’s been eating away at him the past week — the sneaking around, the lying, especially to Josh. I promised him I would tell my parents everything before I left, no matter what. I’d tell them about him, about us.
A knock on the window makes me jump. Dad stands on the other side laughing. “Well, c’mon! Movin’ slower than a Sunday afternoon.”
I roll my eyes but climb out of the car. Guess it’s time to get the show on the road…
I never thought I’d say this, but coming home was the best decision I’ve made in a while. Spending the past two days of uninterrupted time with my parents was everything I didn’t know I needed. Homecooked meals, helping Mom clean the house on Saturday morning, working in the yard, and running errands before helping Mom make dinner and playing a game of Dominos. I didn’t even balk at the idea of getting up for Church this morning. I almost looked forward to it. Living their mundane routine was a breath of fresh air compared to my normal day-to-day life.
The dirt currently digging under my fingernails is another reminder of what I’m missing in the city. Dad planted his garden two years before he retired, and tending to it has become his favorite thing to do on Sundays after Church. He spent the entire year before planting it, learning what would grow best in our region and how to properly tend to it. The first thing he planted was a small patch of Dahlias—Mom’s favorite flower. Now, his garden is full of different flowers and veggies.
“Hey MJ, hand me those clippers, will ya?” Dad asks pointing to the pair of clippers in between us. Dropping the few weeds I had collected in his clippings bag, I planted the clippers in his open hand, watching as he gingerly chips away at some of the dead pieces on a Lavender plant. “Y’know, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What’s that?”
“Not that your mama and I haven’t enjoyed you being home, been nice spending some time together, but what are you doing here?”
I knew this was coming. I could see the question behind their eyes the whole weekend, but they didn’t dare ask, afraid it would scare me back to New York early.
“Can I not come home for the weekend?”
“Sure you can,” he finishes cleaning the plant and stands. “But, you don’t.”
“I just missed you guys, that’s all.”
Dad quirks an eyebrow wiping his hands on his dirt-covered jeans, but he doesn’t push it, he’s going to wait until we’re inside with Mom. “Run inside and wash up, I’m sure your mama is ‘bout done with dinner. Wanna make sure you eat before you leave for the airport.”
“Yes, sir,” I grumble, already feeling sick at the thought of what’s coming.
“So, tell us, how’d everything go with Finn?” Mom asks sitting a hot chocolate in front of me.
Nausea erupts in my stomach thinking about what I’m about to do. This might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I know they won’t be mad, but I still don’t know how they’re going to react — especially about Finn. The only thing keeping me from chickening out is the thought of the man back in New York. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still probably be pretending none of this was happening. I can’t continue to lie to them.
“I assumed everything went well since we didn’t see your picture on the news for murder. I tried to ask Josh about it, but he’s been a little crankier than normal lately. Something must be going on with him and Elizabeth.”
“Stay out of it, Jen,” Dad warns.
“I’m not gettin’ involved, I’m just saying. Am I not allowed to be a concerned mother?”
“Well, I’m just sayin’, mind your business.”
Mom rolls her eyes, and I make a mental note to bring it up when I talk to my brother. I did think it was a little strange that Elizabeth didn’t show up to the Coney Island party, but I assumed she had a photoshoot. She doesn’t do a lot of them anymore, but there is a select list of clients she will drop anything for.
“Quit stallin’, how was it?” Mom’s eyes light up with her question.
A blush creeps up my neck under her stare, and I shrug, simply trying to ignore the butterflies swarming my stomach. “Everything was fine, Mama.”
“That’s all I get? It was fine.”
“He’s not so bad, I guess.” I smile thinking about the day Finn brought breakfast to the office all the way from Brooklyn. “Um, actually, there is something I’ve been wanting to talk to you and Daddy about.” I adjust in my seat, stuffing my hands underneath my thighs and I tuck my feet onto the stretcher. It reminds me of when I was little — how my legs were never quite long enough, and my feet didn’t touch the floor, so I’d swing them back and forth until they got tired and then rest them here.
“You know you can talk to us about anything, MJ,” Dad says returning with a fresh cup of milk.
“Of course, I know, it’s just—”