An hour later, I pulled up to Fran and Howard’s house, noticing a For Sale sign in the front yard. That was new. Momentary panic grabbed me, but I shoved it away. I was happy for them. They were moving on, as I needed to move on.

As soon as I neared the front door, Hailey burst out the front door of her grandparents’ house and streaked across the lawn. Her long blonde hair streamed behind her, and she threw herself into my arms. I picked her up and hugged her tightly. She squealed and wriggled out of my arms, turning to her brother with a nonstop flood of words. He stared impassively at her and headed into the house, his sister hot on his tail and talking a million miles a minute.

Minutes later, they were seated at the breakfast nook, eating some of Fran’s savory stew. Fran and I sat in the living room, while Howard watched sports on TV. Howard loved sports. It didn’t matter what kind.

“I saw the For Sale sign.”

“It’s time, honey. We have to sell this place. We’d both promised each other months ago that we wouldn’t spend another cold winter in Illinois. Besides, we can’t afford the payments on both houses.”

“I’m happy for you. I really am.”

Fran studied me with troubled eyes. “What will you do? Where will you go?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m not staying here. I need a fresh start.”

“You can always join us in Arizona.”

The invitation was beyond tempting, yet I’d never wanted to live in Arizona. I didn’t like really hot places. I was a Chicago girl and didn’t mind the cold.

Fran shrugged at my lack of response. “Whatever you decide, we’re here for you. You know that. Have you given any thought to getting a nursing degree?”

I hadn’t. Not really. The only thing I’d come up with was to start as a nurse’s aide and figure it out from there. Sadly, a nurse’s aide salary would make it difficult to comfortably support two young children on a single income, let alone save money for nursing school.

I was the queen of indecision, and I was running out of time and money. I had to choose a direction and work toward whatever goal I set.

“Have you called Easton yet?” Fran asked.

Ah, there was the elephant in the room. They’d left me alone about Easton, but now the pressure was on. The Mills’ house was on the market, and they’d no longer be available to be my crutch.

I shook my head, glancing briefly at Fran and looking away, ashamed of my cowardice. I cringed at the censure on her face. I’d disappointed her one more time. Avoiding the inevitable was no longer working for me.

“I’ll call him tonight after the kids are tucked in.”

“I’m going to hold you to it. No more putting it off.” Fran’s determined expression didn’t allow any argument. Tonight was the night.