I checked the counter, my purse, and the junk drawer. Both sets were gone, even though Ryan’s friends had picked him up.
I called him.
He answered over music and voices. “What’s wrong, Shannon?”
I reached for the key hook.
“Where are the car keys?”
A pause.
“I took them.”
“Both sets?”
“I didn’t want you driving around alone with all three babies.”
I stared at the carriers. “You don’t get to decide that after leaving me alone with them.”
“Where are the car keys?”
“Stay home.”
“They have a checkup in 40 minutes.”
“I forgot. Reschedule it.”
“No. They’ve waited weeks.”
“Then call Shaun.”
I looked at Luna chewing her strap, Soleil crying, and Bodhi watching me quietly.
“You took my way out because you wanted control, Ryan.”
“I forgot. Reschedule it.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“It is now.”
I ended the call and called my brother.
“Hey, trouble,” he said. “What’s wrong?”
“Shaun, I need a ride. It’s for the babies.”
His voice changed immediately. “I’m coming.”
“What’s wrong?”
“And Shaun?”
“Yeah?”
I looked around the kitchen. Bottles covered the counter. Ryan’s coffee mug was still beside the sink.
“After the appointment, I need help moving.”
He paused.
“Are you sure?”
That’s why I trusted him.
“And Shaun?”
He didn’t tell me what to do.
He asked.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
***
Shaun arrived quickly and took the diaper bag from my shoulder.
“Tell me what you need.”
“We open the old house.”
The old house had belonged to Mom and Dad.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
After Dad died, Mom stayed there for a while, then moved somewhere smaller. She later transferred the house to me because she wanted it kept in the family.
Ryan hated it.
He called it old and inconvenient.
I had let it sit mostly empty because arguing with him had always felt harder than giving in.
Ryan hated it.
***
Shaun glanced at me as he pulled away from the clinic. Luna was asleep behind us, Soleil was chewing her sleeve, and Bodhi kicked his feet against his carrier.
“All three are fine,” I said. “The nurse said they’re growing well, and we should keep doing what we’re doing.”
Shaun tightened his hands on the wheel. “We? Ryan isn’t here.”
“That’s why we’re leaving.”
“We? Ryan isn’t here.”
He looked at me. “Are you leaving because you’re angry or because you’re done?”
“Both.”
