Oh holy Moses. This was out of my league.
I held the phone out to Jake. “Jake?” He looked over at me and stopped spinning. “Your mom is on the phone.”
His resigned expression was priceless.
4
The Blessings of Family
Jake
Taking the phone from Ivy, I made quick tracks to the living room. I’d need all my wits about me for this conversation. Margot didn’t play.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?” I asked, coming to a stop in front of my sectional and staring off into the rapidly darkening night. The sound of sleet surrounded me.
“No, what’s up from you, son? Spill. Who was that lovely voice, and what are you hiding?”
Damn. I felt an intense desire to have my brother Drew here. Drew was much better at deflecting Mom from conversations he didn’t want to have. Namely, since we hit our midtwenties, when were we going to settle down and make her and Dad grandparents over and over again? Never mind that our sister had two daughters. Never mind that neither of us had been in a serious relationship in some time. Never mind that I had spent the past decade actively avoiding anything serious. Margot wanted more. I couldn’t get too mad; our parents were the best. Mom could just be a bit much at times.
“Easy, Margot.”
“Don’t you Margot me, young man. Start talking.”
It was dark enough that my reflection now stared back at me in the window. The look I gave myself was one of knowing. I was sunk.
“A friend, Mom. Her Jeep got stranded, and I helped them into the house—”
“Who is them?”
Crap. “Um, well, Ivy has a four-year-old daughter, Addie.”
I could almost feel my mom vibrating with excitement over the phone. She called out, “Sam,Sam! Jake has a young lady friend over, and she has a four-year-old daughter named Addie.”
Sweet Lord. My dad’s muffled response was in the background. For such a chill guy, I wondered how he’d made it all these years with my mom. “Mom. Yo, Mom! Stop the wedding plans. I’m just helping her out…” My voice trailed off. It was no good. She was in a full conversation with my dad. Might have to wait this one out.
“So, wedding plans?”
I spun around to be met with Ivy’s mischievous smirk. Good Lord. I did a nice thing today, and the shit just kept hitting the fan at every turn.
“Is that her?” Super, Mom was back. Some kind of sixth sense at work here. Clearly.
“Yes, Mom. We’re getting ready to have dinner. Can I get back to you before you reserve the hall?”
“Now, Jacob, hush. I hope you’re taking care of this girl. Make sure you’ve got dinner set up for her daughter. And for goodness’ sake, do not start flirting with her when she’s at your house and had a rough day…”
“Mom! I’ve got it. Now, I really need to get going.” I looked away from Ivy, praying she couldn’t hear my mom’s side of this conversation.
“Okay. I was just calling to remind you that your dad and I’d be staying at your place next weekend for the celebration. Is that okay, or will your lady friend still be there?”
Jesus. I could use some backup here. Looking at Ivy, no help was coming from there. She watched me with an expression bordering on delight.
Addie chose that moment to make her presence known as she tore down the hall from the kitchen with Chief. “Juuuuuussstttt Jaaakkkkke!” she screeched, running at me at full tilt. Bless her and her trusting nature, she leaped at me, and I immediately snagged her midjump, even while my phone was propped between my shoulder and my ear. “Who ya talkin’ to? Do they want to have a dance party?”
“Dance party?” My mom’s voice now sounded like she was trying to hold back some laughter. “AndJust Jake? Sounds like you have your hands full, son.”
I tried to do some damage control. “Ivy and Addie live down the block, Mom. The guest room is yours next weekend.”
“Down the block? Then I look forward to meeting them when we’re in town. Now, I’ll let you get back to your guests. Love you.”
