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enough to remember him. Cree was all the family he had left.
    He put the paper down. “I wasn’t expecting to see you and Cameron until tomorrow.”
    “Hey, Pa Pa.”
    “What’s with that sour puss look on your face? You should be levitating off of the ground.”
    She walked up the few steps and plopped down on the bench next to him. “We had an argument.”
    He looked out across the street at his neighbor’s driveway. Some of the kids were playing an intense game of basketball. “Yeah well, couples do that from time to time.”
    “A big one.” Cree slumped. He could see that she’d been crying.
    “They all feel that way at the time.”
    “Was that how it was with you and grandma?”
    He chuckled. “No. She won every argument.”
    “I don’t need to win every argument. I just want to win this argument.”
    “You should go to New York, Cree.”
    She whipped her head around to face her grandfather. “How’d you know about that?”
    He smirked. “How do you think? Cameron called a couple of hours ago looking for you. He told me about the whole thing.”
    “I don’t want to sound like a broken record or like I’m whining but why doesn’t anyone else see the bigger issue. He made a life changing decision without me. We’re supposed to be partners…a team. It’s supposed to be us against the world!”
    “And, he was wrong. I told him he was wrong not to discuss something like this without you.”
    Cree threw her hands up in the air, “Exactly!”
    “BUT…”
    She frowned. “But what?”
    Her grandfather turned to look her in the eye. “He’s right. Presbyterian is a better opportunity than Jackson hospital.”
    “Pa Pa, it’s a two year residency.”
    He said quietly, “I know.”
    Cree laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ll be away from you for two years.”
    “Not two years. He promised he’d make sure you’d visit.”
    She hesitated, “You’ll be alone.”
    A smile threatened the corner of his mouth, “Baby girl, you can’t worry about me. I’ve lived my life. You’re just starting yours. And, I won’t be alone. I have more friends than I know what to do with.”
    “You honestly think I should go to New York?”
    “You and Cameron have been apart longer than what’s healthy. In a marriage, sometimes you make sacrifices for the benefit of your family. This decision is going to be one of many.”
    “I’ve already made so many sacrifices. What about school? I was supposed to enroll at Jackson U this fall.”
    He lightened his tone. “Finish in New York. Then, I can brag to all my friends about my grand-daughter having a fancy degree from some school in New York.”
    “I think you, Cameron, and Melody are all conspiring against me.” Cree scrunched up her face and smirked.
    “No. You’ve sacrificed for so long, and you’re both so close to the finish line. We just want to make sure you make it there…together.”
    Cree hugged her grandfather. “I love you Pa Pa.”
    “I love you too. Now stop wasting time here with me, and go home to your husband. He’s worried sick.”
    Stubbornly, she spoke under her breath. “Serves him right.”
    *****
    Several hours later, Cree finally went home.
    Cameron was sitting on the couch waiting with his eyes closed and his head thrown back against the sofa. He immediately stood up when he heard her keys jiggle into the key hole.
    He stuck his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. Cameron knew that he was wrong and should have discussed this decision with her. Still, he said a silent prayer that Cree was calm enough to understand why he thought this was the best decision for them .
    As soon as she stepped through the door, he spoke, “I shouldn’t have made this decision without you. I’m sorry.”
    Her voice was soft. “Would my opinion have changed anything?”
    He breathed in deeply. “Cree, I want to say what you want to hear. I want to say yes, but that wouldn’t be true. I honestly think this is the best decision for us.