When Michael arrived at Lorna's house on a calm Thursday night, he brought a brochure rather than flowers or dinner. As she accepted it, she looked at the bold title and arched an eyebrow:
"Harmony Hills: A Contemporary Family's Co-Parenting Haven"
She glanced up into his eyes. "You're not serious."
He leaned casually against the doorway and said, "I'm serious." "This is only a weekend. Don't roll your eyes at workshops, family-bonding activities, nature hikes, and conflict resolution.
In spite of herself, she laughed. "Michael, are you proposing that we pose as a hike in order to attend couples therapy?"
"No," he smirked and said. "I propose that we take Jason to a serene location. Together. as guardians. To demonstrate to him that he still has a family even if things didn't turn out the way he had hoped."
Something softer took the place of Lorna's smile. "You've changed a lot."
He was honest when he said, "I'm trying." For him. For myself. And perhaps for us as well.
She turned back to the brochure and flipped through pictures of awkward team-building exercises, family yoga, and log cabins. It seemed like a gamble. Like venturing into uncharted emotional territory. Then she recalled Jason's smile from the previous weekend. The ease with which Michael laughed. The way things might feel, for a short time at least.
Dryly, she said, "You want us to play charades with other separated parents?"
Michael smiled. "Come on. You adore charades.
With a sigh, she returned the brochure. "I'll give it some thought."
"You'll say yes," he said with assurance. "You simply don't want to satisfy me just yet."
Lorna grinned and half-closed the door. "Madden, get off my porch."
However, she was grinning as she spoke.
The brochure was spread out next to her tea when she sat at her kitchen table later that evening. She hovered her fingers over a quote that was printed at the bottom:
"The love that families choose to build can be whole, even though they aren't always made of perfect pieces."
After giving it a long look, she picked up her phone.
Lorna: All right. Let's get started. However, it is your responsibility to pack Jason's sunscreen.
It took him a few seconds to respond.
Michael: Handle it. Just don't force me to meditate in the morning with strangers.
"What are we walking into?" she said in a whisper, shook her head, and laughed softly.
She was unsure of the response.
Perhaps, though, part of the journey was not knowing.