“Life likes to be hard.” Mom patted my cheeks and gave me a smile. “When it’s not the way you want, keep pushing, and good things come. More often than not, it ends up better than you could have planned in the long run.”
I thought about what I knew of Mom’s past. She was the prime example of pushing through hard things and still hoping for good.
“Are you happy with how your life turned out?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not dead yet.”
I raised my hands. “No, I know, I just meant…”
She chuckled. “Yes, I’m very happy with my life.” She booped my nose. “With each of my beautiful babies and the joy they bring me, and I’m excited for the life I have yet to live.” She winked.
There was a knock at the door and I stood to answer it. “Thanks again for doing this, Mom.”
“You bet, hon.” She followed behind me. “Now, you go enjoy your date with Leo’s and pj’s. But one day, you are going to pull yourself off that couch and put yourself back out there.”
I nodded. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I reached the door and opened it. A man with gray hair and a square jawline was poised to knock again.
“Oh my!” He raised his hand to his heart. “You surprised me! Is Hannah here?” He tried to peek over my shoulder.
I raised an eyebrow and looked over my shoulder. “Mom?”
Where had I seen him before?
“Of course I’m here.” A beautiful smile bloomed on Mom’s face. “Would you mind grabbing this box for me, Robert?” She pointed to the box on the table.
I stepped to the side, allowing him access to Mom’s house. I held the door as he walked up to Mom and gave her a hug. Then he lifted the box from the table.
“Thanks again for the ride, Robert.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He grinned in my mom’s direction, then walked out the front door I still held open.
A memory clicked into place and I snapped my fingers. “You’re the guy from the Kismet thing!”
He grinned. “Guilty.” He popped the trunk of his car and set the box inside.
Mom walked by me, smelling like lavender and sunshine. She raised her brows at me and bit back a smile.
I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Have fun!”
“We will,” Mom called back.
Robert opened the door for her and then walked over to the driver’s side. Mom waved to me as Robert backed the car out of the driveway.
I chuckled and shook my head.
Huh. I definitely needed to spend more time with my mother. She had some major tea to spill—apparently years of it.
I walked back to my car and smiled as I drove home. I unlocked my apartment and stepped inside. Everything looked the same but somehow felt different.
Maybe no relationship ever truly leaves. They all change us. Friends, boyfriends, teachers, and co-workers. Everyone that had touched my life had left a piece of themselves with me and changed my perspective.
I dressed in my silk Elvis pj’s and called in the usual order of Leo’s Pasta. If Peter brought extra cupcakes this time, I would happily eat them all.
Cupcakes.
