“We are supporting her,” snapped Helen. A dark expression shadowed her usually carefree face.
“How? Zoe never mentions that she’s seen you when we talk over the phone.”
“We’re here now, meeting you, and we’re going shopping. I want to give her and Max space, they have a lot of adjustments to make.”
“It’s all right, Mom,” interrupted Zoe, finally finding her voice. An idea sparked in her mind. “You can meet us all over Christmas. Come to the farm for a few days. Then you can see Max, and if he’s really supporting me or not.”
“Harrumph.” Her mom sat back on the chair. “I think we might just take you up on the offer and see for ourselves. I did think that he’s a nice enough boy, but seeing my daughter here, without him, looking tired and emotional, I now have my doubts.”
“I don’t look that bad, do I, Mom?” Zoe hoped her mom was putting on the drama. She was feeling tired, but it had more to do with this argument, and that she’d just invited her parents to Greenfields for Christmas without consulting Max than anything else.
I hope he won’t mind.
“Sorry, Zoe, I’m just worried for you. You’re on the farm so far away from medical help. Maybe you should come back here sooner before the baby is born. Better to be safe than sorry.”
“Mom, I thinkyouneed to have a hobby.”
“Zoe, please don’t speak to me like that.”
“Let’s just have lunch, get to know each other, not lay any unnecessary blame.”
Helen sighed heavily. “I think—”
Zoe held up her hand. “I don’t need this kind of stress, and right now you are all stressing me out.”
“Sorry, Zoe,” said her mom quickly. “But—”
“No.” Zoe cut her mom off from saying any more. “This is what will happen now. We will have lunch, talk politely, and I suggest we plan the Christmas meal together. You don’t want me to cook it after all, which has nothing to do with me being pregnant and everything to do with my lousy cooking. You’ve both accepted this unexpected pregnancy, and now we have to find ways to get along with each other’s differences.” Zoe inhaled to try and catch her breath.
The baby flipped in her belly.Glad you agree with me.
She glared between Helen and her mom, both women clenched their jaws, as if really stopping themselves from saying what they wanted to.
“Do you agree or not? If not, then I’m leaving.” It was a snap decision, but she meant it wholeheartedly.
An uncomfortable silence settled between the women.
“Fine then.” Zoe went to stand.
“Don’t go,” said her mom, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “I’ll agree.”
Zoe turned to Helen, waiting for an answer. “You both have to agree. Otherwise, I’m leaving.”
“Fine! I agree, too.”
Zoe sat back down. “Good. And don’t forget, at any time today, if there are comments flying Iwillleave.”
Tension built through the back of her shoulders, and her lower back. The stress caused an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She found that if she didn’t eat something at regular intervals, she felt queasy. “Let’s order, too. I’m hungry.” She picked up the menu.
Her mom and Helen still glared at each other, but they kept silent as they followed Zoe’s lead. Kate sat there uncomfortable, along with her dad, both seemingly too scared to say anything.
“Kate, you’re more than welcome to join us for Christmas, too,” said Zoe. She knew Kate was single, but she didn’t want her to think she wasn’t welcomed.
“Thanks,” said Kate politely.
“I would imagine, with the wonderful cooks on this table…” Zoe was referring to Helen and Leanne, “… that you probably won’t need me to bring anything.”
Kate grinned at her comment. Slowly, the tension began to ease.
