So, I do. I tell her about Maggy first. That I met someone. She’s thrilled. I can tell from her voice alone.
“There’s more.”
“Oh?” She laughs. “What are you going to tell me? I’m about to be a grandmother again?”
The silence is deafening. Neither of my siblings have children yet, so it makes sense she’d ask that question.
“Nate?” Her voice is squeaky. Again, Sara Black never sounds squeaky. “Am I going to be a grandmother again?”
I think I like the way she said, “Again.” She’s not leaving Aiden out. “You already are.”
“I am?” Her voice. I don’t know if I can describe it. It’s excited and sad at the same time. Then I hear the sniffles. “I’m a grandmother again?”
“Her name is Brynn.”
“Brynn? Brynn what?”
“Brynn Elise.”
“Brynn Elise Black.” She sighs. “That’s beautiful.”
I don’t have the heart to tell Mom that Brynn’s last name is Fitzgerald. But, hopefully soon, it’ll be Black. “Elise was Maggy’s mother’s name. She died of cancer.”
“Oh, no.” A sniffle again. “Those poor girls.”
“We’d like you to meet her.”
“Well, duh.” She chuckles. “When?”
“As soon as you guys want to make the trip.” They live in Elgin, Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, so not far from the city of Chicago. “I also need to call Nick and Matt.”
“They don’t know either?”
“Nope.”
“Nate…”
“I know.” Like I told Maggy, I’d cut everyone off. To my detriment, because we all used to be close. Very close.
“Call them. Let’s do this as a family.”
A family.
“Sure. I’ll call them next.” Clearing my throat, I add, “Thanks for understanding, Mom.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because I’ve been a selfish prick.”
“Language.” She chuckles. “You have, but we all get it. I’m just glad you met someone who’s helped you see there’s still life to live.”
Me too.
30
Maggy
Daddy Cranky Pants:My family wants to meet you and Brynn.
