**Chapter 3: A Leap of Faith** “I'm done,” I declared, my voice cracking slightly as I spoke to Mia through the speaker of my car, mere moments away from picking Levi up from baseball practice. The relief of knowing my parents had stepped in to watch the younger kids after school was short-lived as the weight of my decision bore down on me. “Quit what? Why?” The confusion in Mia's tone pierced through the tension in my heart, punctuated by the blinker clicking incessantly in the background. “Because HE wants the job finished in eleven months!” I could feel my frustration boiling over. The line went silent, a heavy pause where I could almost hear Mia's gears turning. “You knew about this, didn't you?” I pressed, disbelief stemming from her silence. “Okay, yes! I did. The last two designers left him in a tough spot, and... well, let's just say he’s not taking any chances now.” My heart raced as I processed her words. “I have three kids adjusting to a new school, Levi's got baseball practice, and I'm trying to find a place for us to live! How on earth am I supposed to juggle all of that while tackling a mission that sounds impossible?” “Farrah, can you remember back when you were pregnant with Levi?” she asked, her voice softening. I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. It was a time I often reflected on: I had been only nineteen, in a whirlwind romance with Caleb, and suddenly—boom! I was a mom. Balancing college tuition while working almost full-time waiting tables, with an infant to care for—it seemed insurmountable then. Mia continued, “No one would’ve blamed you for dropping out, but you made it through. You found that church nursery for childcare at a steal, encouraged Caleb to pursue his insurance license, and even dragged Levi to class at times. You fought tooth and nail for your degree and provided for both yourself and your baby.” “Only to end up as a stay-at-home mom,” I interjected, my voice heavy with a mixture of pride and regret. Deep down, I knew I wouldn’t change a thing. Those years spent nurturing my children had been invaluable. “Not wasted, just…” “I know,” she cut in with a gentle tone, the blinker still announcing her every turn. “Wait, how long has that blinker been on?” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Shoot! I can't believe I forgot about it,” she muttered, a hint of irritation coloring her words. Repositioning my grip on the steering wheel, I felt a flicker of hope wash over me. “The point is, you're going to make this work. If anyone can, it’s you.” “I wish I had your faith in me,” I confessed, doubt gnawing at my insides. “But what if I fail?” “Then you might just have to leave Dallas.” “What?!” Panic surged through me, gripping my chest. Mia’s voice was serious, devoid of humor. “Everyone knows Gage Griffen. He’s not vindictive, but he’s brutally honest. If he has to explain why he let you go, he will.” I chewed on my lip, the idea weighing heavily on my mind. “You really think I can do this?” “Absolutely!” she affirmed. “And I get that he’s intimidating, but trust me, he’s actually a good guy who expects the best from people because he gives his best in return.” “Well, that’s reassuring,” I replied, the thought of working in the same room with him for three months made my stomach churn. “Don’t freak out! I’ll be in and out too, and you’ll be so wrapped up in work that you won’t even notice him,” she promised. I couldn’t shake my lingering doubts, but gratitude washed over me for Mia’s unwavering support. “Thank you, Mia. You really bent over backward to get me this job, and I don’t want to let you down.” “Never! But I’ve got to go now; I just pulled into my parents' place.” “Tell them I say hi,” I said, the warmth of family drawing me closer. “Will do. Love you!” she chirped before hanging up. As I parked outside Golden Valley High, where Levi’s practice was held, unsettling thoughts swirled in my mind. This was an incredible salary—one I had dreamed of—but job rejections flooded my inbox as I searched for work. It seemed I was hardly in demand, especially as a plus-sized single mother without experience. Even the local fast-food chain rejected my applications. Yet the potential of earning my own money—money I controlled—filled me with exhilaration. I could envision buying that mitt Levi had been nagging me for, getting Andrew new art supplies, or surprising Cora with a whimsical bedroom set that Caleb had never agreed to buy her. I could finally afford to treat my children, and maybe even myself, to things that made life a little brighter. Spotting Levi trudging toward me, his figure silhouetted against the evening sky, my heart warmed. He looked worn and gray with dirt caked on his uniform. With a flick of the trunk release, he tossed his gym bag inside before collapsing into the passenger seat. “Rough day?” I asked, knowing he’d been one of the stars of his Austin club team. It had to be hard transitioning to a freshman here. “Don’t want to talk about it,” he muttered, dragging his cap low, hiding his expression. Sometimes, I struggled to reconcile this teen with the baby I had once cradled in my arms. I wanted to soothe his wounds, no matter how much he’d grown. “You’ll get the hang of it. It’s just the start,” I said, hoping to lift his spirits. He shot me a withering glance that echoed his father’s scowl. “Sure,” he grumbled. I decided to turn up the volume on the radio, filling the silence. Sensing that I needed a little pick-me-up too, I stopped at the liquor store for a bottle of champagne and grabbed two large pizzas from Slice for dinner. The sight of the pizza boxes brought a hint of spark back to Levi’s eyes when I returned to the car. “Are we eating out?” he asked, mouth watering. “What’s the pay rate for the zillionaire?” I couldn’t help but grin; the realization of finally earning more than Caleb sent ripples of joy through me. When I told Caleb about leaving him, he had unleashed a barrage of insults in a desperate attempt to keep me. “You’re a plus-size single mother of three—who would want you? You won’t earn enough to support the kids!” His words rattled in my mind like daggers, but he couldn’t be more wrong. “Enough chatter, let’s go!” I said, heart racing with anticipation as I put the car in gear. Levi carried in the pizzas as I grasped the champagne and my purse. Dad was settled in his recliner, fixing his gaze on the evening news while Mom colored with Cora and Andrew at the kitchen table. “Mommy!” Cora squealed, leaping from her chair to wrap her little arms around me. I cherished the moment, wishing it would last forever. “Hi, sweetheart!” I cooed, ruffling her hair. “Gramps said you’re working for a zillionaire! Is that true?” Andrew chimed in, his gaze lit with curiosity as he looked at my dad, who shot me a cheeky wink. “Close enough! Who’s hungry for pizza?” I grinned, reveling in the moment. Mom immediately dismissed my pizza order, stating, “You didn’t have to do that, Farrah. I would’ve taken care of it.” Holding up the bottle of bubbly, I insisted, “Tonight’s a celebration! The offer was insane!” Her eyes sparkled with delight as she raised an eyebrow. “That good? But does that mean you are moving out? I’d miss my grandchildren!” I chuckled to ease her mind. “Not just yet! One paycheck at a time.” Changing into lounge clothes that were clean enough for a return, I returned to a cleared table ready for a family prayer, hands clasped in unity. Levi picked pepperonis off his slice and transferred them to Andrew’s plate. Cora invented her own silly eating style, gnawing at the crust first, and I found myself grinning. “How was your first day on the job, kiddo?” Dad asked with that familiar warmth in his voice. Despite being thirty-four, I would always be his kiddo. “I’m excited, but it’ll be a lot of work. I might even get some time to myself after the kids go to sleep.” Dad’s face wore a proud expression. “Fantastic attitude. Grab those challenges and make them your own!” Watching Mom's face twist with concern, I felt a pang in my heart. “What’s with the look?” She often fretted about my overwhelming responsibilities. “I just worry about you managing so much at once,” she voiced, tenderly. I enveloped Cora in a warm hug, pouring all my love into that moment. “I promise I’ll make time for my kids,” I assured, looking at Levi and Andrew, who had their own concerns. “Always for my babies!” I added, noticing Levi’s eye-roll, followed by Andrew’s outstretched arms and pouty expression. “And my big kids!” When the festivities around the dinner table quieted down, I dove headfirst into settling the kids down for bed. Mom helped with homework as I assisted Cora with her nightly routine. Pausing on the cusp of sleep, Cora tucked under her blanket, I could have sworn that every midnight foot kick would wake me. But little did I know, there was more waiting for me tonight. As I tucked Andrew goodnight, he sleepily mentioned, “We talked to Dad earlier.” My heart plummeted. “What? When?” “He talked to Grandma after school,” he replied innocently. “Did you enjoy your chat?” I pressed, cautious of my own emotions. “He asked if you could send him a picture of my painting.” The weight of his words resonated with hidden fears, twisting my insides. Caleb was slipping away more each day. “Goodnight, sweetheart.” I kissed Andrew's forehead gently, absorbing his whispered “night” as I moved to Levi's room. He was prepping for the next day as I perched on the corner of his bed. “Your phone’s charging, right?” “Regrettably,” he muttered, eyes glued to the task at hand. “I love you, you know,” I whispered, trying to cut through the defensive wall he had built. “Night,” came his uninterested reply. As I returned to my room, the solitude oozed around me. I missed the camaraderie of Austin, the friends who had drifted away once I was on my own. And it cut deeper than I'd anticipated. Once ready for bed, I seized my laptop, settling at the table so Cora wouldn’t wake. My focus shifted to sketching a plan for the hotel renovations. Bathroom fixtures were first on my mental checklist; the contractors would be a challenge, but no task was insurmountable. I was so engrossed that I nearly missed Mom sliding into a chair across from me, two steaming mugs of tea in hand. The soothing aroma of cinnamon and apple filled the air. “I talked to Caleb today,” she said cautiously. A frown creased my forehead. “He asked to talk to Andrew then?” “Yes,” she replied quietly, letting the steam waft into the air. “Andrew misses him, and Levi seems so angry with you. You deserve better than to carry this burden alone.” A heavy silence hung between us, but I knew that sharing Caleb’s betrayal would only complicate matters. “I want my children to love him, Mom, even if he couldn’t be what I needed.” “Then, I’ll carry the anger for the kids. A marriage is meant to be forever,” she replied defiantly. I met her gaze—those familiar eyes matching mine in a volley of emotions. “I love your support, but I’m exhausted from being mad and hurt. Please, just be happy for me. I got an incredible job and I won’t have to sleep next to the man who betrayed our family. My life is…” A wave of optimism surged through me. “It’s better.” A smile crept onto her face, curling ever-so-slightly. “I am happy for you.” Just as I thought relief would wash over me, a soft voice broke through the moment. “Mommy?” Andrew’s tone was quivering, unmistakably trembling with the fear of the night. I squeezed Mom’s arm in a silent apology before dashing to his side, ready to face another long night of comforting. As I tucked him back into bed, the challenges of the evening drifted into the background. Tomorrow awaited me with doors ready to open, if only I seized the opportunity.