Darius folded his napkin and laid it on the table. “You won, Mom. You got the house.”
Darius circled the long, walnut wood dining table and crossed to the closet to collect his topcoat. He yanked open the front door and left, never looking back.
“Did you know there are NFL games on television throughout the day?” Peyton met her parents’ blank stares as they sat around the kitchen table Thanksgiving afternoon.
The big, bright kitchen had always been her favorite room in the house. It was the most welcoming. And it was always painfully neat, from its black-and-white flooring and marbled countertops to the sterling silver appliances.
“When did you start watching football?” Her father, Carlson Harris, paused in the act of spooning up his chicken noodle soup.
The Harris family was enjoying a late breakfast/ early lunch of soup, cheese, and crackers before their traditional turkey dinner fresh from the caterers.
“Ever since I attended a football game at one of the local high schools.” Peyton attempted a casual shrug. Had she pulled it off?
“You sound as though you’re putting down roots in that little town.” Irene, her mother, laughed a little, but her dark eyes were concerned. “Don’t get too comfortable there, dear. You’re coming back to New York next month.”
“Actually, Mom, that’s something I wanted to speak with both of you about.” Peyton stared at her plate of wheat crackers and Brie. This was as good a time as any to break the news to them. She took a deep breath. “I’m not coming home at the end of the semester.”
“Excuse me?” Irene gave her a blank look.
“When are you coming home?” Her father picked up his glass of lemonade. His eyes were steady on hers.
“New York isn’t home anymore.” Peyton wasn’t convinced it ever truly had been. “Trinity Falls is.”
The silence was dense with confusion, denial, and disbelief. Her parents looked at each other, then back at her. Peyton’s eyes found the coffee carafe on the counter behind her father. Her knees were too shaky to carry her that far.
“When did you make that decisi
on?” Irene sounded lost.
“Before I left in July.” Peyton held her mother’s gaze with difficulty.
“When were you going to tell us?” Carlson’s voice was unrecognizable.
“This weekend.” Although, she hadn’t intended on ruining the weekend this early.
“Why have you left New York? This is where you were born. You grew up here.” Her mother’s voice shook with emotion. “You started your career here. This is where we live. Why would you leave? And without even discussing it with us first.”
Peyton’s heart galloped in her chest. This was worse than she’d imagined. “I wasn’t happy here, Mom. I needed a change.”
“Why didn’t you tell us this?” There was concern in her father’s words. “You just snuck away like a thief in the night.”
Peyton steeled herself against the imagery. It was true but no less hurtful. “I knew you’d try to change my mind.”
“Damn right we’d try to change your mind.” Irene’s eyes welled with tears—of anger or sorrow? “It’s ridiculous. It’s dishonest.” Her mother’s words cut deep.
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“I don’t want your apology.” Irene stood. “I want you to keep your word and return to New York in December at the end of the semester. We even changed the date of our Aruba cruise to accommodate you.”
“Your mother’s right.” Carlson’s calm words were a jarring contrast to her mother’s emotional outburst. “That’s the commitment you made to us.”
“But I can’t. I signed a contract with the university. Besides, I’m happy in Trinity Falls.” Peyton tried willing her mother to understand.
“How can you possibly know that?” Irene threw up her arms. “You’ve only been there five months.”
“What about Bruce?” Carlson asked.
Peyton drew a bracing breath, taking in the sharp scent of Brie. “I told you before I came home that Bruce and I ended the engagement.”