“I’m sorry.  It’s nothing bad I promise.  It’s just I’m not sure how you are going to take it so I guess I should just rip the bandaid off and tell you”  I pause and Maddie nods as she stops chewing her food and sets her fork down waiting for me to continue “I’m going to be moving in a few months”

“What do you mean moving?” She says confusingly

“I’m going to be taking on a consultant job with Gellman Engineering in Italy”

Maddie stares at me for a few seconds and blinks her eyes

“Gellman Engineering?….Wait?….Isn’t that the engineering company Tina is working for in London?” She questions and I start to fidget with the sleeve of my shirt

“Yes” I answer a little nervously as I see the wheels spinning in her head.  I try not to make contact with her as she processes

“Oh My God Momma!.  That’s..That’s..Amazing”. she gushes and I’m kind of taken aback by her enthusiasm. I honestly didn’t expect this to be her reaction  but I’m glad she is happy for me.

“Wait”. She says and I know everything has clicked for her so I prepare to get grilled “When I talked to Tina the other day she said she was going to be in Italy after she finishes up the bridge construction in London this month but Tina never said you got on the project”

I don’t say anything

“Momma.  She doesn’t know does she?”

I shake my head “No..I told Mr Gellman I wanted it to be a surprise.  He said he is going to tell her he is bringing a consultant on but she ultimately will make all the decisions regarding designs but I have extensive knowledge in suspension bridges and that’s what is being built to connect Italy and Sicily.  Designing and planning will take about 3 years and then another 8 years to build”

Maddie sighs “Are you going to be gone that long.  11 years?”

I shake my head “No kiddo.  I will be there for the first 3 years though.  I plan to come back here as often as I can to watch your games though and you can come visit me there”

She smiles and nods.  I think she will be ok with this