Connected: Part 4 of the On The Edge Series

Chapter 3

"Viv, you haven't done homework on the first weekend of a school vacation ever. So, what's going on here?" Billy let a hand wave between Viv and me as he spoke.

"Billy," I set a hand on him to calm him.

"Someone needs to tell me what's going on?" He demanded again.

"Viv has some concerns about us, and, to be honest, she has a right to them." I tried to keep my voice even.

Billy took a deep breath to quell the rising anger in him. He then set a softer gaze back on Viv and began, "Viv, do I get to hear your concerns?"

"Um, no?" Viv tried.

"Wrong answer," Billy shot as a knee-jerk reaction.

"Billy, you can't force her, and you can't force a relationship between Viv and me," I cautioned. "Viv, why don't you head up to your room and pretend to do your homework," I added with a nod to her.

"I'll do that," she began, "but not because you told me to. Because that feels like the best option for my vacation's social calendar." And with that, Viv scampered back upstairs.

Billy let his face fall to his hands on the counter as he collected himself. "I love that kid," he murmured into his hands, "but sometimes she's a royal pain in the ass." He then lifted his face to meet my gaze. "So, tell me what she said, and I'll fix it."

"Billy." I let out a breathy laugh. "That's not how this works."

"Yeah, she's my daughter. I'll get her on the right track."

"Get her on the right track? Billy, there's no wrong track with how she feels."

"There is if she thinks she can bust us up for sport."

"She's worried about you because she loves you. That's not busting us up for sport, and that's not something that needs to be corrected or reprimanded."

"Lil, you aren't her mom. Don't act like you know how to parent her." The minute the words left his mouth, Billy regretted them. It was the first time I had seen the spiral of regretful panic cross his face. For a moment, I thought he might grab at the air as though he could stop the sound waves before they hit my ears. "That came out wrong."

"No, it didn't. And that's why we all need to slow down. We need to figure out everyone's roles here. I'm not their parent; I'm not their friend. I'm their dad's girlfriend. It's a weird dynamic, especially since this relationship is new to them, but it's not new to everyone else around them."

"Jackson is handling it fine," Billy argued.

"For now, he is, but there'll be times when he struggles with who I am and how I relate to him. Honestly, Billy, there will be times we struggle with whom we are concerning each other."

"So, what? We just give up again?"

"That's an option if you think it's best. We need to slow down, have fewer plans, and have more life. We need to let things unfold for a beat or two."

"But together?" Billy's eyes grew wide in confirmation.

"Yes, my way is together, but you get to decide."

"Together, and next time, lead with together. I've got some wounds that are barely scabbed."

"Okay, Billy, I think we should slow down... together," I agreed.

"But what does that mean?" Billy's frustration was boiling over again.

"Let's go to the barn," I soothed, knowing it was soundproof if his frustration grew further. He looked at me in panic before I added, "to figure this out together."