LANDON
It’s funny how your mood can turn around so quickly.
Leaving the bar, I was so agitated. I hate seeing Poppy dealing with so much. It hurts me watching her trying to navigate yet another hurdle in her life. But I know it’s not just that. It has something to do with Poppy’s biological mother trying to get in touch with her unexpectedly that has brought up feelings about my own parents I thought I’d buried long ago. Things I’d rather stay buried.
But after the phone call with Felix, I’m feeling more relaxed, which is also probably due to the fact that I’m now less than ten minutes from home. I find myself singing to this song, “Golden” by Huntrix, from thatK-Pop Demon Huntersmovie soundtrack that the boys have become obsessed with. Thank God there’s no one in the car to witness this.
Poppy’s name comes up on my screen as an incoming call, cutting off my music. I wanted to surprise them, and she’ll know I’m in the car as soon as it connects. But I won’t ever ignore a call from her, for fear something might be wrong. My fear of missinga call became a panic thing for a little while after Lucinda died. Not only that, but I would jump so quickly to answer it on the first ring, especially if the boys weren’t with me. And now since that night of Poppy’s frantic call from the hospital, that fear will never leave me with her either.
I try to sound upbeat as I answer the call, because I know what a big emotional day she’s had. She could probably use a laugh.
“Hi! Let me guess, you’ve decided we should have a sleepover ton—” I don’t get to finish when I hear Nash.
“Dad?” His voice is a bit wobbly.
“Nash…?”
He cuts me off. “Poppy said to call you and say Tessa is here, and Poppy looks scared of the lady, Dad. She thought it was Felix at the door.” The way he’s talking so slowly and succinctly, I can tell he’s concentrating hard, trying to make sure he does what she told him to. Nash saying she thought it was Felix also tells me she wasn’t expecting Tessa to turn up at the front door.
My foot immediately pushes down on the accelerator, the car picking up speed, and my good mood is shattered. Panic rushes through me, and I don’t know why but something feels off about this. How the hell did she find Poppy, and why didn’t she do as we asked and wait for us to contact her? Why is she rushing this when it’s been thirty years since she abandoned Poppy? What does she want from her? I’ve got a weird feeling about this woman, and I haven’t even met her. She turns up out of the blue at the fire station and now at the house? Sully didn’t even tell her Poppy’s name or where she lived.
“Fuck!” I growl loudly.
“Dollar in the swear jar,” I hear Kade say into the phone.
“Kade, don’t. I’m talking to Dad.” Nash is taking his job very seriously.
“But I can too, you aren’t the boss of me,” Kade replies, and I know where this is about to head very quickly.
I’m telling myself in my head to stay calm, just breathe. I sound like I do when I talk to Poppy if she’s upset. But this time its for me to try and contain my rage, so I don’t alert the boys how angry I am, but I’m not as successful as I would’ve liked. Especially since I’ve already sworn loudly through the phone, I’m not sure there was any going back from that reaction. At the same time, I’m driving like a maniac and swerving in and out of the traffic, blowing through a yellow light that was probably red by the time I’d finished going through the intersection.
“Boys!” I bark at them. “Stop. Now.”
There’s silence on the other end of the phone.
“Nash, where’s Granny B?” I ask quickly.
“Picking up the pizza,” he replies.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. That’s why Poppy told him to call me.
“Where’s Poppy?” I’m trying to paint a picture of what’s going on there.
“At the front door with that lady Tessa that looks like her,” Nash says, and then Kade’s voice follows straight away.
“But older and with wrinkles.” He laughs, thinking he’s funny.
“Dad, the lady said she was Poppy’s mom, but she’s not. Granny B is Poppy’s mom. Why would she lie?” Nash now sounds like he’s getting a little upset. I can hear the worry in his voice.
And that’s why I’m feeling this strange panic about trying to get home quickly. Not only do I have a bad feeling about a woman I haven’t even met who has just ambushed Poppy, but now I’m pissed because Tessa has pulled my kids into this mess too. There’s a feeling in my chest that I need to be there to protect my whole family from a stranger. That just cements what I already knew: Poppy is part of my family now too. Not that it’sany surprise, because I’ve known for a long time that she’s mine to protect.
The more it races through my head, I realize I’m not just pissed, I’m fucking livid!
“It’s okay, boys, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Dad will sort this out.” Shit, I need to warn Mrs. B before she arrives home and gets the shock of her life too.
“I want you to stay where you are and be really quiet, okay? I need to hang up, but I promise I’ll be there any minute now.” I’m struggling to keep my voice at a calm level for them. I can imagine how confused they are, which will be making Nash scared. Kade’s never this quiet, so that makes me worry even more.
“Okay, Dad. We’ll be good. We promise, don’t we, Kade.” Nash is trying to be the brave big brother.
