Erika snatches a crouton from my plate, jarring me back to the moment. “It’s great to see you and Luke becoming friends.” Her probing gaze says she has her suspicions. “He’s funny. And hot.”
“Is he?” It’s absurd to pretend I don’t notice. “Well, he’s a nice guy.”
“My brothers adore him.” Lucy places what’s left of her turkey sandwich into a takeout box. “How’s your dad doing, by the way?” As soon as she says it, she gasps. “Holy awkward transition. I swear I didn’t say that because they’ve both been in prison. I was thinking of Sheridan and that drive to the valley and?—”
“It’s okay.” I may as well tell them. “Dad actually may not be incarcerated at the federal penitentiary much longer.”
“Really?” Erika wipes her hands on a napkin. “How come?”
“I’ve had lawyers working on getting him transferred to a minimum-security prison camp.” Guilt gets the best of me, and I swivel to Lucy. “I’m sorry. I should have talked to you about it first.”
“Honey, you don’t need to run those decisions by me.” Her eyes are kind as she pats my hand. “My mother’s forgiven him. I won’t pretend the rest of us have, but we understand complicated family dynamics. You do what’s best for your branch of the family tree, Hazel.”
“Thanks.” I still feel like hell for not telling her sooner. “Could you maybe not say anything yet to the others? It might not happen at all. I haven’t even told my dad. It’s not a certainty, and there are tons of ways it could go wrong. No sense getting his hopes up.”
Or pissing off Luke.
I don’t say that part, but it’s true. I haven’t told Luke I’m pursuing a transfer. That I’m pouring my money into lawyers and appeals, the same way his co-defendant’s family did.
“It’s your business, Hazel.” Lucy squeezes my hand. “And we trust you to handle your business.”
“Thanks.” My purse starts to buzz, and I dab my mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry, would you excuse me?” I dig out my phone and see it’s the call I’m expecting. “I’ve been trying to reach my mother. It’s hard to connect with the time difference.”
“Go.” Erika shoos me away. “We’ll take care of lunch.”
“Absolutely not.” I slap down a credit card and start for the door. “It’s my treat. You can return the card at family dinner.”
“Hazel—”
But I’m already out the door. It’s a good thing, too, since I’ve just escaped goodbye hugs. It’s getting harder to hide this burgeoning bump, especially in close contact with others. Guess there’s a plus side to being the family’s most hesitant hugger.
“Hi, Mom.” I duck under the awning, since it’s raining again. “Thanks for calling me back.”
“Hazel. I’m glad I caught you. Did you get the documents I sent over regarding the funding structure for the charity?”
“I did, thank you.” I can’t believe it’s all coming together. “It’s looking more and more like a family-based foster care center in Romania is our best option.”
“The data certainly points that direction, doesn’t it?”
“It feels like the right thing to do.” I still don’t have a clue how we’ll pull off a project this size. “I’ve got some feelers out to find on-the-ground contacts who specialize in this sort of thing. It’s a very niche skill set.”
“But such a good opportunity to help orphaned and abandoned children,” Mom says. “There are so many needy kids there.”
It’s the line about children that gets me. This feels like the right time to tell her.
I haven’t rehearsed, so the words just spill out. “I’m pregnant, Mom. I’m just over twenty-five weeks along with twin girls and I’m a little bit terrified, but mostly thrilled. The father is involved, but we’re not together romantically. I’m excited, and I thought maybe you’d be happy for me, or at least curious.” Pausing for breath, I press the phone tight to my ear. “You’re going to be a grandma.”
“Oh, Hazel.” Her tone isn’t happy or sad. It’s not disappointed or joyful.
It’s just…Mom.
When the silence stretches too long, I try probing. “How do you feel about that?”
I instantly know it’s the wrong question. We don’t discuss feelings, my mother and I.
“It’s a big undertaking,” she says slowly. “But I trust you’re prepared. You’ve got your financial ducks in a row? Trust funds and college savings plans?—”
“I meant about motherhood.” Why do I say it? “I hoped you’d be excited about being a grandma. About watching your own daughter become a mom for the first time.”
