“Can you come over this evening?”
Nick wouldn’t like that.“I think it would be better if you came to my place.”
“I don’t know if that is a good idea.”
“It’s not possible for me to come to the house.”
“We’ll come to see you, then.What time would be best?”
“Around seven o’clock.”
“Okay.Fine.”
“Mom, is Kate coming too?”
“No.”
“You can get the address from Chris.Bye.”I didn’t think Kate would come.I’m relieved; I’m not looking forward to that confrontation.All I have to do now is call Nick and convince him to let them come into the house.He’s not going to be happy.I try to sound as upbeat as possible when he answers.
“Hey, babe,” I half yell into the phone.
“Why are you so perky?Did you win the lotto?”
I overdid it.Dial back on the perky next time, Cat.“I didn’t win the lotto.Something close to winning the lotto, though—a-one-in-a-million-type thing happened.”
“What is that?”
“My mom called; her, my dad, Jay, and Chris want to come over to talk.”
“No.”
“Nick—”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.I don’t want you alone with them.I don’t want them in my house.”
“Yourhouse?I thought it was our house?”
“It is our house.You know what I mean.”
“I won’t be alone.Chris will be there too.”
“I’m not worried about Chris.I’m worried about your mother and Jay.Your mother doesn’t like me, and I’m not over the way Jay disrespected and manhandled you.What is he going to do now that you’re carrying my child?”
“Nick, please, they’re my family, and if there is a chance for us to work out our differences, I want it to happen.I would like for my child to have both sets of grandparents in his life, a whole family.My family is having a hard time right now.They’re not bad people, you know this.You know they wouldn’t do anything to hurt me or the baby.They just want to talk.Please?”
“I don’t like it.Is Kate going to be there?”
“No.”
“I’m going to call Chris.I want to be there.What time are they coming?”
“Seven o’clock.”
“I’ll try to be there by then.I have a late meeting with a client, but I’ll try to speed it up.This is the last chance they’re getting from you, do you hear me?”His voice is gruff and firm.
“Yes.Thank you for understanding.”
“I don’t like it, but if it will make you happy, I’ll give them one more chance to get their shit together for you.”
