She’s talking about her own daughter, the one who ran away before Phyllis married my uncle.I don’t even remember her daughter’s name.Phyllis has always refused to talk about her.Maybe because it hurts too much.
“I’m sorry you went through that, Aunt Phyllis.”
“Don’t be sorry for me—start living foryou.”
I nod.
“You have a right to be happy.Emma has a right to be happy.And not only does Jasmine have a right to be happy, she has a right to see herdaddyhappy!Let that sink in for a minute.”
Phyllis reaches up high, and I get ready for another smack.But she only tousles my hair.“Now, I need to run.I promised a perfect girl some hot cocoa and brandy and I stand by my promises.”
I walk her to the door and watch her go.Once she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she wheels around and wags her finger at me.“Donotfuck this up, Finn.Fix it.”
My eyes widen.I’ve never heard her say that word.In fact, she’s always telling everyone else not to use that word.
“I know you boys, and if you want something, you find a way to get it.So get to it.”
Just as soon as Aunt Phyllis leaves, Jasmine comes in with Summer.“I’m going on a sleepover at Summer’s!”She runs up to her room.
Summer puts her hands on her hips and looks up the stairs to make sure Jasmine’s out of earshot.Summer’s not in a good mood.No one’s in a good mood around here.
“I’m taking her the whole weekend.I’m giving you a chance to get your head out of your ass and repair the situation with certain people we both know.”
“Thank you.”
“You got forty-eight hours, but you can have more, if you want.Just let me know.”
Jasmine runs downstairs and shoves a book in my hands.“Look what Emma left for me!I bet she already knows lots of things to help me read.She always tells me I’m really smart!”
I kiss her goodbye and thank Summer for taking her.I watch my daughter skip her way to Summer’s truck, and I’m so grateful that Jasmine has so many people who love her.But Phyllis was right—as she always is.Jasmine wants and needs a mother.My daughter loves Emma and Emma loves her.Having a mother will make Jasmine even happier than she already is.
I want Jasmine to be happy.
Iwant to be happy.
I wantEmmato be happy.
I want Emma.
I open the book that she gave Jasmine and see that she’s drawn pictures next to some of the words, helping Jasmine to make connections between letters and sounds.It’s something I wouldn’t even have thought to do.
CHAPTER 73
Emma
Phyllis presses the blankets tight to my sides.No one has ever done this for me.I’ve only seen it on TV.
“My grandma made these quilts.Are you comfy enough?”
I look up at her face.I don’t remember ever being tucked in.She’s such a caring woman.And I can't figure out why.She’s not getting a monthly payment to take care of me.I'm a complete stranger to her.A stranger she’s wrapping in her grandmother's quilts.
Tucking me in.
“You’re tucking Emma in?”Jamie appears at the guest room doorway.
He’s still dressed in his work clothes, but he's in his socks.There's no way that Phyllis would let him in the house with muddy work boots.It’s been a long day for him, and I think about how much work it takes to run the ranch.I wonder if a man his age wouldn't prefer to just take it easy.Just rest on the porch in a rocking chair and watch the latest season ofThe MacLainesunfold in front of him.
Who needs a TV when life is full of so many fascinating people?
