I can’t believe it’s time for Chloe to go already.
One thing about my success that brings me pride is that I can do things like spring for my niece to come join me in Italy for a long weekend. I’m very aware that most people don’t have that luxury or privilege, and I’m so incredibly grateful.
That being said, I’m sad to send her home.
We’re tucked into the back of a cab—I didn’t want to waste the time she’ll spend driving to the airport, so I decided to go with her—and our cab driver is singing to his radio. It’s not a song either Chloe or I recognize, and he’s not exactly pitch perfect, but he’s making us grin.
I pat Chloe on the knee. “I’m so glad you came to spend some time with me.”
“Me too,” she says, looking me in the eye. A shadow crosses her face, and she glances away as she says, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“And you wait until the car ride to the airport to do that?” I say, trying to inject a little levity, because her expression has grown very serious. When her smile only lifts one corner of her mouth, concern floods me. “Are you okay? What is it?”
She clearly senses my panic because she rolls her eyes in that way that only teenage girls can do—that way that makes you feel like you’re a totally ridiculous human. “Aunt Lil. I’m fine. I want to talk aboutyou.”
“Me?” Well. That’s unexpected. “What about me?”
“We’re…a little worried about you.” She grimaces as if thatwasn’t exactly how she wanted to say it, like she’s concerned about how I’ll receive her words.
“We? Who’s we?” I ask.
She looks slightly guilty as she says, “Me and Grandma.”
My mother. It figures. Leave it to her to drag her granddaughter into her Lair of Unnecessary Concerns for Others. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother. But she needs to get a hobby that doesn’t include other people’s business.
“Don’t be mad,” Chloe says in a rush, and it makes me fix my face.
“Look,” I say, choosing my words carefully. The last thing in the world I want to do is hurt my niece’s feelings. “I know Grandma’s concerned, but she shouldn’t be talking to people about my work. I mean, sure, I’m a little behind, but—”
“Work?” Chloe looks confused. “I wasn’t talking about work.”
My turn to look confused. “I’m lost.”
Chloe sighs, and again, she seems to look for the right words, this time outside the car window. A scooter whips by way too fast, and I have a fleeting visual of Marina. “We’re worried about you being alone.” When Chloe finally says it, her voice is quiet. Soft. She frowns and meets my eyes.
“Oh,” I say, just as quietly. “I was not expecting that.”
“It’s just…it’s been a long time, and Grandma says you’re not dating and…” She lets her voice trail off for a beat as I silently seethe over my mother discussing my love life with my teenage niece. “Don’t be mad,” she says again, and I see the clear concern on her face. “You’ve just been alone for so long and then…” Her smile comes back and lights her up. “And then I see you with Marina, and you’re so happy.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I say, traffic-copping her with a hand. “Marina and I are just friends.”
Chloe snorts like that’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard. “Yeah, okay. You look at all your friends like that? Do youlean against all your friends that way? I was there, remember?”
I blink at her and let a moment of silence pass before I speak. “Well, damn, girl.”
That makes her laugh. “Yeah. Clearly, you think people are blind. Mainly me.”
“I don’t,” I say and glance down at my lap. “I guess…” I shrug, not really knowing what to say. My feelings around Marina are so blurry and convoluted and I’m not ready to give them voice yet.
“She’s super into you. Just so you know.”
I roll my lips in and bite down on them, trying to hide the grin, but I can’t, and Chloe sees it. She leans into me with a shoulder.
“Aunt Lil, seriously. She’s so cool.”
“Sweetie, she’s way younger than me.”
“And?” When I don’t answer, she asks, “Why is that a thing?”
