I take over for my mom.“No, Lane and Emily. They moved out after graduation. My new roommates are Warren and Luke. Warren is also a CPS guardian. We were partnered to make the process easier. Luke, his brother, is fifteen and also deaf.”
“Oh, wonderful, someone for me to sign with. They will be back soon?”My dad replies, looking towards the front door briefly.
“Yeah, they’re picking up the food. Willow is with them.”
“Willow, yes. She is, what, six months now?”Dad signs.
“Four.”I keep my face in a polite grin. This visit won’t be long enough to air out all my feelings. I need to pick my battles.
“And how… is it? Being a parent?”My dad tenses, and his eyes remain focused on me, but I can sense my mother trying to get his attention besides me.
“Fine. She is great.”
“Oh, happy birthday, by the way! Silly us! Happy birthday, darling.”
My mom kisses my cheek and then signs to my dad, but I don’t focus enough to watch. I don’t know what stings more; my birthday being an afterthought or that the topic was meant to avert the conversation away from Willow.
“Yes, happy birthday… twenty-five. I cannot believe it.”My dad pulls out his wallet and extends a thick clip of money towards me.
For wealthy people, they’re not usually this generous. I look down at the money, then to my father’s face, unsure, before reaching out and taking it. I stare at the money in my hand.
According to my parents, my college fund had been eaten up by the tutors and extracurriculars it had taken to get me in because of my “rough start” to life. I fight the desire to count the money here and now.I’d love to know if it will cover the rest of my car.
Although that may be something worth talking through with Warren now—maybe we could share his car since he’s decided to stay indefinitely.
“You okay, darling? Where did you just go?” My mom speaks but doesn’t sign.
“Oh, sorry. Yes. Thank you.” I put the money down on the side table next to me.“Thank you, papa.”
“We’ll be staying put for Christmas this year, but we’d love for you to come visit for the holidays. That will cover your flight.”My dad signs back, smiling.
“Oh, that sounds amazing, but I can’t travel until Willow’s custody is final. She can’t leave the country yet.”
My father shifts in the armchair, looking towards my mother, who shakes her head in aleave itgesture. He does… for now. I let out a slow, purposeful breath.I need some space.
“Would either of you like a drink? Water? Wine? Tea?”I stand and begin walking to the kitchen.
“Wine for me, please… your father says wine as well.” My mom projects her voice towards me.
I pull out three glasses and pour. I take advantage of my hidden view from my mother’s watchful eye and text Warren.
CHLOE: Please tell me you’re almost home. I need a buffer.
WARREN: Elevator.
I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and take the two glasses over to my parents.
“Warren let me know they’re on their way up. You ready to meet Willow?”I try to pitch my voice as excited, but it is forced and full of desperation.
“Well, why wouldn’t we be?”I don’t know, Mom—why wouldn’t you be?
My dad offers a less-than-sincere smile.
The door opens, followed by the sound of shuffling paper bags and the brakes of the stroller clicking into place. I nod at my parents, then turn down the front hall.
“It is getting tense in there—fast. Give me the world’s cutest baby.”I take Willow from her car seat and tuck her in against me so I can continue signing.“Thank you for going.”
“Warren got enough food to feed the entire floor, so at least our mouths will be busy,”Luke teases.
