Mother waves her hand. “I guess it’s fine. At least we’re not at the club. Everyone’s grandchildren come in designer clothing, even if they’re only six weeks old.”
“Hi, Mrs. Harlow.” Jessie steps forward and gives her a hug, giving Eva the chance to beeline it into the house.
“Oh, Jessie,” she responds enthusiastically. “I’m so happy you’re here. What a wonderful surprise.”
My mother is a mix of contradictions. Sometimes, when her brain forgets she needs to compete with everybody around her, I feel like I get a glimpse of who she was before my parents became such socialites. I can see the genuine happiness she feels in seeing Jessie.
Though that joy doesn’t last long when I step forward and kiss her on the cheek. Before she speaks, her eyes settle on the car seat in my hand.
“Walker, why do you have a baby?” Her tone turns cold.
Jessie stands next to me, a pillar of strength that keeps me from running out the door.
“Mother, this is Eli. My daughter.”
Her complexion turns ghostly, and the horror in her eyes tells me exactly how she feels. I take a deep breath as I try to remember I didn’t have much better of a reaction myself.
She smooths an invisible wrinkle from her sleeve as she looks over at Jessie, no doubt remembering Jessie’s parents run in the same circle as hers, composure settling like armor. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order. Though I can’t say I’m impressed with your timing—or your secrecy.”
That’s it. Congratulations. No questions. Not even wondering who the mother is.
“What are you three doing, standing at the door?” my father jokes as he joins in the foyer. “Jessie! How wonderful to see you.” He leans in and gives her a kiss on the cheek. “I just golfed with your father the other day.”
She smiles brightly at the mere mention of her father. Just another reason I know I have to keep my secret buried deep inside of me.
“He did text me about golfing with some buddies,” she says awkwardly, realizing my father has yet to pick up on the fact that I have a baby in my hands.
“Dear.” My mother takes over as she moves her eyes toward my daughter.
Then his eyes settle on Eli, and my entire body breaks out into a cold sweat. I know what he’s thinking.
There goes his career.
My father has been living vicariously through me for years now, following my career and always offering advice on how to one-up everyone around me.
“Walker”—his words come out clipped and disapproving—“can I have a moment alone with you?”
“I don’t believe that’s necess—” I start but Jessie jumps in front of me.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take Eli. She probably needs to be changed after that long car ride.”
You’ve got this, she mouths to me as she takes the car seat from my hand.
I allow her to walk away with my daughter as my parents stand cold and still in front of me.
“What have Decker and Maxfield said about this?” he asks, telling me exactly what his concerns are.
No questions about Eli herself. No acknowledgment that they have two granddaughters. Just the concern of what this means for my career.
“I haven’t told them yet,” I bite through clenched teeth that threaten to break under the pressure.
“And where is this child’s mother?” my mother cuts in.
“My daughter’s—your granddaughter’s—mother is not in the picture anymore. I didn’t find out about her until two weeks ago, when she showed up with Eli and told me she couldn’t handle being a mother.”
Mother gasps. “Oh dear. Who would do such a thing?”
Well, I suppose at least my parents never abandoned me. They have that going for them.
