The house felt charged when we got home from the cemetery, like some of that spirit-realm energy had followed us. Desiree talked the entire way home, firing off questions faster than I could answer them. What were they like? Where are they from? Do you think they can see us? I tried my best, but half the time I had to admit I didn’t know. It stung a little, realizing how much of my family history lived in gaps and guesses. Still, seeing her so curious made me proud. Maybe this was how the cycle finally broke—by giving my daughter the stories I never got.
By morning, the glow of that visit faded as the familiar routine settled in. Logan made sure we all remembered he existed. Sophia hummed while making breakfast. The dogs barked and played, oblivious to the early hour. Desi being glued to her computer was a little strange, but not enough to sound the alarm. She was a phone girl through and through, but I figured with her future suddenly at her doorstep, she was probably making plans, so I left her to it.
Later that afternoon, Lex stopped by with big ideas in tow. Graduation and birthdays were right around the corner, and the triplets had been plotting. I thought they’d want to branch out and live their own lives, but nope. They wanted to stick together. Breanna and Arvin chased the ranch life, and Lex planned to become a professional rider. These kids and their horses. I wish I understood the appeal. Anyway, they had their hearts set on a property in Chestnut Ridge, which meant it was time to hit up their favorite investor: Uncle Moneybags.
He didn’t say it, but I could tell he was nervous about asking. “We’re not expecting you to, like, buy a whole ranch or anything,” he said. “Just … whatever you can give.”
At first, his nerves offended me. When had I ever denied them anything? But this was more than a mere trip to Thrift-Tea or even a weekend in Sulani. This was the biggest thing he could possibly ask. A smile warmed my face as I realized everything was as it should be. Despite the nerves, he was comfortable enough to make the ask, and I appreciated that.
“If you guys want a ranch, I’ll get you a ranch,” I said.
Sophia sat with us, smiling as Lex talked. She never really connected with Arvin and Breanna, but something about Lex made her light up. Maybe that connection they made that day at the park still held.
Once we wrapped up the ranch talk, I invited him to the kitchen. Desi was still glued to her screen.
“Hey, Des, look who’s here.”
“Oh, hey,” she said, not even looking up.
“What in the world are you working on?” I asked. “You’ve been on that thing all day.”
“I found Grandma Amina’s blog!” she said, finally glancing up.
My eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
I’d thought about searching for it before but never followed through. Leave it to Desi to actually do it.
“Who’s Grandma Amina?” Lex asked.
I opened my mouth, but Desi jumped in before I could. “Our great-grandmother!”
“Okayyy…” Lex said slowly, unimpressed.
“I met her last night at the cemetery. Her, grandma, and grandpa!”
“You hung out with ghosts?” Lex asked. “And you’re not, like, traumatized?”
She rolled her eyes. “Why would I be? They’re family! Chill.”
I had to bite back a laugh. I’d never been prouder of how unshakable she was.
“She was such a boss,” she went on. “Did you know she was a plus-size stylist and fashion blogger?”
My mouth dropped open. “No, I did not. Tell me everything.”
“Her blog’s called Kava & Stilettos. So iconic. She even turned down a multi-million simoleon brand deal because the company didn’t align with her values! That’s so queen behavior.”
“Seriously,” I said. “What else?”
“Look at this.” She pointed at a photo. “Recognize him?”
I leaned in. “No, but I know that outfit. Wait, she designed that?”
“Yup. She called it Beach Swag.”
No way. I’d seen that floral-shirt-and-khaki-shorts combo my whole life. Half the dudes in Sulani were still wearing it. It was wild realizing my grandmother started that trend, and that something I’d always seen as kinda corny was actually part of my family legacy.
“That’s amazing,” I said. “Does it say how she ended up in Sulani?”
“Kinda. She was from Britechester and moved after some messy relationships. She fell in love with the island and never looked back!”
“Wow.” I exhaled, satisfied at filling in some gaps. “That explains so much.”
Lex was already glazing over, clearly bored with Pope family history. After all, he got what he came for. He excused himself politely, and I scrolled through a few of the blog posts. I saw baby pictures of Mama and a photo from my grandparents’ wedding. I never realized Grandpa Winston was so much older than Gammy. Mama must have been very young when he died. Love came in all forms, and I respected everyone’s choice, but I shuddered at the idea of Desi dating someone that much older.
I gave the computer back, still buzzing with pride. “This is incredible, Des. Thanks for showing me.”
Before I could stand up, she hit me with it: the thing every father knows is coming but is never ready for.
“Can I hang out with Josh tonight?”
My baby’s first date.
I froze somewhere between panic and acceptance. She was growing up faster than I could keep up. I trusted her completely, but still. Every fatherly instinct screamed at me to suggest a double date, get a chaperone, run a background check, and maybe slip a tracking device in her bag. Instead, I nodded, trying to play it cool.
“Sure,” I said. “Just, uhh … be home before midnight. He still has school tomorrow.”
She grinned. “Deal.”
And that was it. My little girl stepped into her next chapter, leaving me to remember how to breathe.
