“Mom, I told you last time that I bought a mixer for my house. You don’t have to pack your own in a checked bag when you come to games now. Honestly, it feels like you’re manifesting our loss at this point.”
Her hazel eyes twinkle as the mixer all but engulfs her petite frame. “Please, Daniel. My mixer is better than yours; that’s why I have to bring it.”
“I bought the same model, just the newer version.”
“Exactly.”
I run my hands through my hair. “Okay, whatever. I?—”
She narrows her eyes at me, paintbrush earrings dangling in the cold breeze. “Why do you look stressed? Are you sweating?”
“Give me one second to explain.” I nudge her back outside onto the porch and close the front door behind us.
“What’s going on? My fingers will freeze before I make your loser cinnamon rolls.” She winks.
“Loser? Is that what you…? You know what, never mind. I don’t have time for this.”
Her teasing expression is replaced with one of concern as she asks, “What is it, Daniel?”
“Grace is here.”
Mom’s jaw drops so much it almost hits her kitchen mixer. “Grace as in…the person?”
“What else would I be talking about?”
Mom starts gesturing so wildly that I grab the mixer before she drops it. “I don’t know! Maybe you started up yoga or something, and ‘grace is here’ is more of a spiritual thing!”
“Well, she’s here, and she’s not a metaphor, and I need you to chill out.”
Suddenly, her floundering halts. Mom relaxes her arms and stares directly into the sun. “What do you mean? I’m perfectly natural.”
“That’s the opposite of perfectly natural. I don’t need you scaring Grace away. She’s hesitant as is, and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable. I have to leave for my end-of-season wellness appointment with the team physical therapist soon, so it would be great if you could keep her company while I’m gone.” Taking a deep breath, I think of the ticking timeline I have with Gracie. “She’s technically only here until her evening flight. I’m trying. I’m trying to…” My face falls, thinking of how little time we have together.
“Okay, sweetheart.” She rubs my arm reassuringly. “I’m more excited than anything. This is good. I’m happy for both of you.”
“Well, nothing’s happened yet, but I want to apologize. I want to fill in the years we spent apart. I just…wanther.” And I don’t want to wait any longer. Now that Gracie’s finished vet school and runs her own clinic, I’m no longer standing in the way of her achieving her dreams.
Mom gives my cheek a pat. “I know, Daniel. All in due time.” She slaps her hands together. “What a thrilling morning. Let’s get back in there before we turn to ice.”
My whole body shivers in agreement. I’m freezing my ass off out here. “Amen to that.”
I turn the knob, push the door open, and yelp in surprise when I find Gracie standing just on the other side.
She releases an exasperated sigh. “No need to be scared of me, Danny. What were you doing outside?”
“Well, I was helping Mom bring in?—”
“Janie?!” Gracie shouts, peering around me.
Mom squeezes past me to greet her. “Kiddo? Gosh, it’s great to see you!”
Both women shove me aside in a surprisingly rough fashion, hugging each other.
“Look at how beautiful you are! Wow, it’s been so long.”
Gracie blushes. “Thank you, Janie.” They pull back from their embrace but still stand only inches apart.
“Are you in the mood for some cinnamon rolls?” Mom waggles her eyebrows hopefully.
