Mama smiled and prayed over her food quickly, then placed her napkin in her lap, and Daddy, Hayden, and I followed her lead. Conversation was limited by the food, not only at our table but throughout the backyard. Even the music had been turned down.
The reprieve didn’t last for long. Mama picked up her sweet tea and leaned back in her chair.
“Hayden, where are you from?”
“Mama…”
“Seattle area, ma’am.”
“Does your family still live there?”
“My dad does, ma’am.”
“And your mama?”
“Ellen, honey…”
“Mama…”
Hayden gripped my thigh and smiled at me when I looked at him. “It’s okay.”
He turned to my mother, who I was ready to murder. “My mom died when I was younger. Dad’s family came here from Mexico illegally, but the cartels were forcing people to work for them, and they were scared. So, they crossed the border. My dad was born less than a year later. My grandfather worked the fields, and my mother worked as a housekeeper once my dad started school.”
Hayden picked up his beer, draining it before he continued, “When Dad was old enough, he joined the Navy. He wanted to serve the country that provided his family with a safe haven. When he was assigned a duty station, he got stationed here.”
“So, how did your parents meet?”
“Mom’s face when she told the story is still imprinted on my mind. She came to San Diego for college. According to her, she left the reservation, never expecting to return. Then, she met my dad. Not long after they met, Dad’s parents died. They got married, Mom finished college, and then I came along. Mom was determined to be a tribal lawyer. As soon as he could, Dad left the service, and they moved back to Washington to live on the reservation until she died. Once she was gone, we moved to town. Dad hated being surrounded by the memories.”
“Oh, that poor man. And he’s never remarried?”
“No, ma’am. He said my mother was his soul mate, and there was nothing that could replace one of those.”
Mom looked at my dad and smiled before kissing his cheek. “I understand precisely what he means.”
Hayden looked at me, and my heart swelled. I whispered, “I’m sorry for the interrogation.”
“Don’t be.” Hayden popped open another beer, leaned back in his chair, mimicking Mama’s pose earlier, and asked, “Where’s your family from, ma’am? If I can be so bold?”
Mama’s face flamed bright red, and my dad threw his head back, laughing like a hyena. I rolled my lips in, trying to keep a straight face, but there was no use, and I dissolved right next to my dad. Side-splitting laughter burst forth and took my breath away.
Mama had met her match.
But she wasn’t one to be outdone.
“Since we missed the wedding, maybe we could plan a reception at the ranch? Hayden, would your father mind a trip to Texas?”
“Fuck me, I can’t breathe!” My dad cried out.
He must have more air than I did because there was no fucking way I could’ve uttered a syllable. My chest burned, my sides hurt, and if I didn’t get some air soon I would keel over.
“Ma’am, I think we broke them.”
“Hayden, there’s something you need to know about being married to a Holt man. You never let them get the upper hand, and you, for dang sure, don’t let them figure you out. Not ever.”
“Good to know, ma’am.”
“Hayden, darlin,’ it’s Mama. Ellen, if you’re not comfortable. Let’s reserve ma’am for when you’re trying to get outta trouble. That’s when Declan pulls it out and dusts it off.”
