I blew out an irate breath and said, “Yes. Okay. You’re right. You should tell them. But do it somewhere safe and good, like during Sunday lunch.”
“You think I should wait that long?”
“I think Hamish and Christian should be there to temper Tempie’s tantrum, and soothe Chassie’s hurt feelings, and we can see to Prue.”
“I knew you’d have a wise response,” he murmured.
That almost made me smile.
Almost.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
I heard his deep sigh, before, “My concern is, I just don’t care.”
I looked to the picture of my mom and dad.
I didn’t even remember my dad, but seeing them, young and happy and on the verge of a beautiful life, one that would tragically be cut short for both, I felt the shaft of pain drive through my heart, like it always did.
This was also always followed by a squeeze of tenderness, because at least they had that time, and I hated it was so short, but I loved they’d found each other, experienced it, and Mom was left with a part of him: Solène and me.
I couldn’t imagine not giving a shit your mom phoned, be it just to ask you over for dinner, or after decades of absence.
“I hate that for you, even if I think it’s healthy,” I replied.
“Healthy not to give a damn I spoke to my mother after two decades?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not angry. I’m not hurt. I’m not anything, except worrying about how my sisters will react, Vivi.”
“When someone gives you nothing, it stands to reason you won’t miss it when it’s gone.”
“She’s my mother, love.”
“She’s a womb that nurtured you,” I retorted. “I know that’s harsh, but it’s true, and no matter how much it deeply sucks, somewhere along the line, you’ve come to terms with it, and that, Battle, is healthy. Perhaps your sisters have done the same. But we’ll be there to look after them if they haven’t.”
“We’ll be there,” he said softly.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“I very much love you, darling.”
Okay.
Now I felt better.
“I very much love you too,” I replied.
And I hoped he felt better.
“We’ll do it over Sunday lunch,” he decided.
“Terrific,” I lied.
I heard a smile in his voice when he said, “It’ll be fine.”
At least I could agree to that.
