Free A Slight Change of Plan by Dee Ernst

act—they completed one another’s punch lines, passed off one-liners, and traded inside jokes like the seasoned pros that they were. They were yin and yang and yin-yang. I was proud of them.
    So I was a little surprised at Regan’s reaction when I told her that Sam and Alisa were moving in with me.
    I had stopped by her apartment to ask if she’d like to go furniture shopping with me. She was all smiles until I mentioned Sam.
    She stared. “He’s moving into your condo?” she asked. “With Alisa? You’re going to let them live there together? Are you crazy?”
    “No, not at all. Have you seen that place they’re living in? It’s horrific. I couldn’t not ask them. They’ll have to drive to the train, but the commute is a small price to pay for fresh air and a bathroom where they can turn around.”
    “This is your adult son, Mom,” she said slowly. “Wasn’t the whole point of selling the house a statement about going forward with your life without your kids?”
    I looked at her. “Regan, there is no way I will ever go on with my life without my kids. It’s impossible. When you’re a mother, you’ll understand. Yes, I wanted to move in a different direction, but it was never about leaving you guys behind. Is that what you really thought?”
    “Why else would you sell the house?”
    “Because I was tired of living in five thousand square feet all by myself, that’s why. I didn’t want to worry about taking care of it, cleaning it, and hearing my footsteps echo through vast, empty rooms. And I wanted to buy floral chintz sofas and lots of foofy pillows.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Is that why you let Jeff decorate for you? Honestly, Mom, for a woman who always knows what she wants out of life, sometimes you amaze me with your willingness to let your kids roll over you.”
    I settled back into her couch. “Really? Wait until
you
have kids.” I tilted my head at her. “Did my selling the house bother you? You never said anything. I never had the idea that you were emotionally attached. It’s not like you didn’t take every single thing that was yours with you when you left.”
    She shrugged. “It’s just weird to think that Sam is going to be living with you again. He was always such a baby about leaving home in the first place, and now he’s managed to find a way to get back.”
    I looked at her quizzically. “Is that jealousy I hear?”
    She shrugged, then laughed. “Maybe. Pretty stupid, right? I mean, Phil and I will probably buy our own placeby next year. We’ve kind of been looking, but this wedding stuff is just so ridiculous. We found a place for the wedding, by the way. It’s called Clareview House. It’s a beautiful old mansion, but we need to bring in our own catering. I was going to ask you about that.”
    I beamed. My daughter was very independent. Being the middle kid and only girl, with an absent father and a strong mother, had left a mark. That she was asking me for help was a real breakthrough for her.
    “I know a few people who would do a great job,” I said, speaking slowly. Didn’t want to scare her away. “I’ll make a few phone calls and let you know some names. How’s the guest list?”
    She shot me a look. “Don’t push it, Mom.”
    I held up my hands, palms out, in defeat. “No problem, honey. Now, will you help me find a soft, squishy sofa in a shiny chintz print?”
    She grinned. “Sure. I’ve got clinic tomorrow and Thursday. How about Friday morning?”
    Perfect. The good thing about being between jobs was a completely open schedule.
    I went home and walked Boone past the health club again. Someday soon, I swore to myself, I’d actually go in. I was starting to recognize a few people in the development. There was the very attractive couple who jogged together in color-coordinated outfits, identical headphones, and very big watches. A sweet older lady—I think she said her name was Marie—lived across the cul-de-sac and petted Boone whenever she saw