“Exactly what I prayed for you,” she said softly.
“And I want that for you too.”
“One day, I won’t be looking up from the charts. I’ll be blissfully out of my mind too.”
“You will,” I said firmly.
She exhaled. “So, are we dress shopping, like, next weekend or what?”
“I haven’t even thought that far. Sean’s buried in Cup fever.”
A pause settled between us.
“You were right, you know,” I said softly.
“About what?”
“That Mom never built a life she loved. Resentful instead of proud, she tried to direct mine.”
Sam went quiet, then sighed. “I know. Mom’s stuff… it’s older than both of us. She won’t drop it easily, but maybe, if she ever clears that closet in her heart, she will. But these last few months, I saw the real Mel—the one in your bones—stand tall. And Sean, he saw all of it and still chose you.”
The words caught in my chest. My eyes went misty.
“Mel, I know your caring heart’s worried about our parents. Mine is too. But they’ll be okay. The house is paid off, and all they’ll need to cover is food and bills. If Mom doesn’t want to work, that’s fine. She can live off Dad’s golf course salary. He’s turning sixty-five soon, and Social security is not far off.”
She exhaled. “Sorry your ‘Yeah!’ phone call turned into a Sam-style lecture.”
We both laughed.
“So…now you have someone who looks at you as if you built the arena he coaches in.”
My eyes stung even more. “He really does.”
“I know, Mel.”
The silence stretched, warm and full.
“Can I have naming rights to niece number two? I’m thinking of something classic: Cupcake or Puck.” Then she laughed.
I rolled my eyes. “Bye, Sam.”
“Nope. You’re stuck with me.”
Then I video-called Erica.
She fanned herself with a paper. “Congrats! I was brushing my teeth and screamed when I saw your post. What a way to hit midnight.”
My grin was permanent. “Thanks.”
She sighed, eyes turning misty. “I am beyond happy for you, Mel.”
My eyes misted too.
“Now, you better not elope.” She pointed. “No motorcycle spins into a Vegas ‘I do’ chapel.”
I laughed. “I’ll try not to.”
“The way he looked at you in those pictures… just heart-melting.”
