“Then I’ll keep that fuckin’ rope for myself.”
“Look at you, you're glowing.” Iris greets us at the door with a huge double hug, then leans down to plant kiss after kiss all over my stomach. “How is my little grandbaby?” she asks excitedly.
“Mom, let the girl get through the door,” Greaser tells her, looking embarrassed
“I’m just excited to see you.” Iris looks up at me apologetically, then supports my back and helps me through the door as if I’m an invalid.
“Jeez, Mom, you could have tidied the place up.” Greaser looks around the messy living room in disgust, while Iris clears a spot for me on the couch and helps me to sit.
“I’ve been busy baking.” She waves off his remark and turns all her attention back to me. “Now tell me everything…How have your appointments been? Has she got any kicks for her grandma?” She places both her hands on my stomach and smiles while she waits to feel some movement.
“I think she might be sleeping,” I tell her politely, already feeling suffocated. I’ve always thought Iris was a little overbearing, but she seems extra erratic today.
“Why don’t you go get us some of whatever you’ve been baking. I’m sure Alicia is hungry,” Greaser suggests, and Irisimmediately does as she’s told, scurrying into the kitchen and leaving us alone.
“Don’t mind her, she’s just excited to see you.” He clears a space for himself beside me and takes hold of my hand. Since last night, he can’t seem to stop touching me. I need us to talk about our situation, because I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t feel the need to squirm each time he does it. I was upset last night. I wasn’t thinking straight. Greaser was saying all the things I wanted Vike to say to me, and now I feel terrible for leading him on.
“Here we are.” Iris hands me a plate with a huge slab of her chocolate cake on it.
“Wow, that’s quite the slice.” I look at Greaser helplessly; there's no way I’ll manage to eat it all. I feel sick and heavy just looking at it
“You must remember that you're eating for two, Alicia. I want my granddaughter to have big, fat cheeks like her daddy did.” She grins at me as she hands me a fork, and I do the only thing I can do and get started.
“Mom, me and Alicia have something we want to tell you.” Greaser picks the moment my mouth is full to take my hand back in his. “As you know, the two of us have been spending a lot of time together, and we’re together now.” He smiles, kissing my temple and taking me completely by surprise.
“I knew he’d make an honest woman of you. “ She claps her hands together. “I saw a little spark between you that first day you came here.” The woman looks delighted. “Sid’s never had a girlfriend before, have you, Siddy?” She squeezes both our hands in hers as Greaser’s cheeks go red.
“It’s just casual.” I feel as if I’ve been thrown into the middle of the ocean without a raft. Last night, I was upset and acting on impulse; how am I supposed to tell Greaser that I’m having second thoughts now he’s told his mom about us?
“In your condition, there's not much time for casual, dear. I still have my wedding dress in the wardrobe, it will be perfect for you. I was about six months into my pregnancy with Siddy when me and their father got hitched.”
“Oh, Iris, that’s really not necess?—”
“Don’t be silly, we Stowmans like our traditions.” She rushes off to the room next door, while Greaser gives me another apologetic look.
“I didn’t expect you to tell her about us,” I whisper to him, placing down the cake when I start to feel like I’m gonna throw up.
“Why not? This ain’t a secret.” He leans in to kiss me and, once again, I try real hard to like it. All I seem to be able to think about is Vike and how good it felt to see him in my kitchen this morning. I overreacted about the Trinity situation. I need to talk with him tonight and clear everything up.
“Here we are.” Iris returns with a long white silk gown draped over her arm and presents it in front of me.
“It’s beautiful but–”
“You should try it on,” she gasps, taking my hand and raising me to my feet before I have the chance to argue. “Here…” She places the dress in my arms. “You can change into it in the bathroom.”
“I thought the groom wasn’t supposed to see the bride in the dress?” I come up with the only thing I can think of to get myself out of this.
“You're right. Siddy, you can wait outside.” She ushers him to the door, forcing him out onto the porch, and after she closes the door behind him, she turns to look at me expectantly. I sigh in defeat, making my way to the bathroom and putting on the god-awful dress.
“You look beautiful.” Iris covers her mouth dramatically when I step out of the bathroom, feeling like a frump. “We'dbetter set a date fast, there's not much growing room.” She chuckles as she strokes her hand over the silk covering my bump.
“Iris, Sid and I, we’re not getting married; in fact, we’re not entirel–”
“Seggy would be so happy for you both; he and his brother always did take such good care of each other,” she interrupts. “You, my wonderful girl....” She grabs hold of my face in both her hands. “...You have saved this family; after the heartache of losing Seggy, I never thought we’d smile again. We have so much hope for our future now.” She lowers her eyes to my stomach. “You know, I always wanted a girl. I love my boys, but there's something special about a bond between a mother and her daughter.” She sighs, and I wish I could agree with her; any bond I ever had with my own mother faded years ago.
“Come, let’s get you out of that dress so Siddy can come back in. I don’t want to keep you two love birds apart from each other for too long.” She squeals excitedly, leading me back to the bathroom.
“I’m sorry about her,” Greaser apologizes as we make our way back home.
