I love the sound of that.
But do you want to know what sounds even better?Ourbedroom. Meaning mine and Maggy’s.
I tap lightly on the door and wait for Maggy to tell me I can enter.
“Come in.”
Poking my head in, I roll my eyes. “They’re here.”
Her face drains of color. “Already?”
“I should have warned you they’d be early. Mom’s notorious for pulling that stunt.”
She looks up at the sweet little clock I found at a baby store near my place. It’s covered in farm animals. “It’s only nine thirty.”
“And?” I roll my eyes again. “They’re anxious to meet you both.”
“I, uh, need a minute.” She looks down at Brynn, who’s barely hanging on, she’s so tired from eating.
“Hello?” I hear Mom’s voice, and it’s right behind me. “May I come in?”
“Mom.” That woman has no goddamn scruples. “I asked you to wait a minute.”
Maggy giggles. “It’s fine. Come on in, Mrs. Black.” I watch her quickly cover herself, since Brynn seems to be finished eating.
Mom literally pushes me aside and enters the room, making a beeline for Maggy. “Mrs. Black is my mother-in-law. Please call me Sara.”
She stops about a foot from the girls, covers her mouth with her hand, and makes a weird choking sound. “She’s beautiful.”
“Here,” Maggy says, standing. “Have a seat.” Placing a cloth over Mom’s shoulder, she says, “You can burp her while Nate and I start brunch.”
“Really?” Mom seems to be a little shell-shocked.
“Of course. You’re her grandmother.”
And then the waterworks start. First it’s my mom, then Maggy. Both women seem to have lost their marbles. When my dad steps into the room and sees what’s happening, he slowly backs out the way he came.
“I’ll come back later,” he mumbles. I want to laugh, but this scene is sort of surreal. And deep down, there’s nothing funny about it. Mom’s letting out something she’s been holding in for a long time. I know it.
“Ladies,” I say softly. “Come on. Let’s not cry.”
Because crying makes me uncomfortable. I’d do exactly what my dad just did if I thought I could get away with it. When Mom wraps her arms around Maggy, who’s still holding Brynn, I realize both women have completely ignored me, so I assume my presence is, in fact, not needed. I do exactly what dad just did and step out of the room.
Looking at my father, who’s now sitting back on the couch, I point a thumb at Brynn’s room. “I’m just going to give them a minute.”
“Good plan, son. It’s best to let your mom work through all that emotion now. Before your brothers get here.”
I suppose he’s right, but I have a feeling this whole day is going to be one big sob-fest. And I’m not sure how I feel about that. I move into the living room and sit across from him. “Is Mom okay? Is she angry with me?” I should be asking her these questions, but Dad is safer.
“You know your mom.”
That’s not really an answer. But, yes, I do know her. “She’s upset.”
Dad scoots to the edge of the chair and leans forward. “We’re both a little upset.”
He’s right. I shouldn’t discount his feelings about this. He was as much a part of Aiden’s life as Mom was; hell, maybe more. My dad loved that kid like he was his own.
“I’m sorry.”
