I’m back in Tulsa after our very own version of the Wedding of the Century but Chris isn’t. Instead he’s gone the opposite direction down to Jamaica to do some recording with Roger. He asked me to come along, and I know Nina would have loved to have me there, kids and all. Knowing how completely absorbed Chris and Fuzzy get when they’re in the studio, Nina was probably anxious to have another adult around to talk to.

But I begged off, not even really sure why I was so anxious to be home again.Lily and Connor are finished school for the summer so its not even like that was a reason. And as much as they love their friends at home, they always have a blast with Nina and Roger’s clan, not to mention the chance to swim in the ocean. For a beach bum like Lily, that’s paradise.

But instead she’ll have to make do with a wading pool in the back yard. Her enthusiasm for that lasts about two hours, then she’s at my side, looking at me with those puppy dog eyes. “How come we’re here?” she asks.

“Because this is home,” I reply.

“Yeah, but….”“Yeah, but what? “ I decide to humor her by asking.

“Chris is in Jamaica.”

“Chris is working.”

“Yeah, but….”

Its my turn to sigh. I know how these conversations go. We could be here still going back and forth for the rest of the afternoon.