I probably should have waited to have the next conversation, but I figured since we were getting everything in the open, we may as well discuss finding a new house. Besides, she said she missed talking, right? Autumn in San Sequoia is beautiful. It’s refreshingly cool in the mornings, and evenings, and warm during the day. I suggested we take Desi and hang out in our side yard for a bit. A little while ago, I packed up the yoga mats I had out there and set up a nice outdoor chill spot. It’s clear I’m not gonna achieve my yoga dreams, if you can even call them that. We weren’t using the space, so I turned it into something we will definitely use. Since Desiree will be walking soon, I’ll have to get her some toys and things out here. But for now, she can take a nap under the sun in the fresh air while Sophia and I talk business.
It was a little cool, so Sophia lit a fire to keep the baby warm. I let us enjoy the weather and silence for a few moments before bringing up Alessia’s conversation.
“So, ummm, after the memorial, Less told me she wants to move.”
“Oh! That’s great. So she’s gonna live in your dad’s house then?”
“No.”
“Oh. So you’re gonna help her find a place?”
“Yes, but not exactly what you’re thinking.”
She gave me that “Watcher, here we go,” face, and I knew I had to sweeten this deal even before I presented it.
“Dub and Maia live in a duplex. They live on one side and rent out the other. I think a situation like that will be ideal for us. Less will be right next door if something happens. We’ll share a backyard so the kids can grow up and play together. It’s perfect for us. And if Less ever wants to move out, we can rent it to another family and have another stream of income. It’s a win win for all of us.”
“Wait,” she said. “You want us to move? We just got here!”
“True, but things change. It’s no big deal. We’ll still be in San Sequoia. Just another neighborhood.”
“But I love it here,” she said. “We spent so much time and money making it our own. Luca, you proposed to me here! I gave birth here! This is my home!”
Sometimes I forget Sophia lived in one place for a long time. Plus, she’s a lot more sentimental than I am. This house is the sixth home I’ve lived in. Moving is no big thing to me, even though this particular home is special to me too. I dreamed about living here; I longed for it. But life hasn’t turned out how we thought it would, so my priorities are different now. While I could accomplish my goals perfectly from here, I’d be more at ease somewhere else.
“I understand. We’ve had lots of great memories here. And I know you’re concerned about me being too involved in Less’ life, but I think the best way to minimize my time away from home is to have her as close as possible. I promised Mama I’d look after her, Sophia.”
She let out a looooong sigh and sat in silence for a bit. I wanted to know what went on in her head, but I knew I needed to let her work it out within herself first, so I waited until she was ready to continue.
“What about this house? What will happen to it?”
I honestly wasn’t too keen on selling it. I worked really hard to get it, and I didn’t want anyone else to enjoy the fruit of my labor.
“We’ll keep it,” I said, hoping we’ll be able to afford to buy a new house without selling this one. “Less won’t need us so close forever. This duplex situation is just temporary, so we can come back here when it’s over. Maybe we’ll rent it out while we’re gone.”
Sophia winced at that idea.
“Or it can just sit here until we come back,” I said.
She nodded and sighed.
“I don’t want to move,” she said. “I don’t think it’s necessary. But everything you said makes sense. I do want Desi to be close to her cousins. The thought of her having easy access to them sounds nice. And I know how much you love your sister.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry we have to leave here, but I really do think this will be good for all of us.”
