“Yes. But I need your help.” They all wait for me to continue, and I glance at Naomi. She’s in her own little world whileThe Goofy Movieplays and she’s doing something in her sketchbook.
“As you know, Rebekah is back in town, and I’ve let her see Naomi a couple of times.”
I can tell everyone is hesitant to say anything.
“Is she being nasty?” Ledger asks.
I shake my head. “No, she’s uh, I can tell she’s really trying. Naomi asked if they could have a sleepover. And I’ve thought long and hard about it. The last thing I want to do is keep Naomi away from Rebekah, especially if she’s doing better. But, and I’m sure we would all agree here, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. So I decided to let them have a sleepover, but at my house.”
“That sounds like a happy medium, and it keeps Naomi at home, which should help her feel more comfortable,” Aunt Dixie says.
“That’s what I thought.”
“So what do you need from us?” Fletcher asks.
“Well, really, it’s just Aunt Dixie and Uncle Mason, but I was hoping you guys could make sure you’re around while they’re having their sleepover. And I wanted to make sure you all knew what was going on,” I say, gesturing to my cousins.
“Where will you be?” Uncle Mason asks.
I puff out a breath, feeling guilty, but also recognizing I have to give them space. Hovering doesn’t help.
“Well, uh…”
“He’s got a hot date with Mae,” June says, smirking.
I throw her a look, and June wiggles her shoulders with a knowing grin.
“Yeah, so I thought I’d go to Mae’s for a bit, otherwise I think I’ll hover, and that defeats the purpose. I want to give them time to bond. If I go off the ranch, then I think it will show Rebekah that I trust her to take care of Naomi.”
Everyone agrees. “I think that’s a solid first step, Coop,” Tatum says.
“I’ll be back after a few hours and stay here for the night if that’s okay.”
My aunt and uncle nod. “We’ll be here. You go have fun, and we might pop in with cinnamon rolls or something for breakfast in the morning.”
I sigh, the pressure finally releasing a bit. “That would be awesome, thank you.”
“I’ll come home after dinner and hang out here for the night, just in case the princess needs me,” June says.
“Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank us for, boy,” Uncle Mason says.
“I think we’re all hopeful, Coop. We want Naomi to know Rebekah too, and like you, we’re all weary. But we’ll hope for the best.”
I run a hand through my hair. “That’s all we can do.”
Everyone nods in agreement, and I lean back in my chair and return my focus to Naomi. This will be an adjustment for everyone if Rebekah continues to keep trying. And if it keeps getting better with her, what does that mean for me? I don’t really know how to operate without Naomi anymore.
I learned quickly how hard it is to be a parent, to be responsible for a small human who can’t fend for themselves. But I realize it’s even harder when lovingher so much might also mean letting her go because it’s what’s best for her, despite how it feels to me.
***
Rebekah arrives, and Naomi has everything set up: blankets for a fort, coloring books, board games, puzzles, and dress-up clothes. She has a full night planned in her head for what they’re going to do.
“Oh wow, Naomi, looks like we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight,” Rebekah says with a smile.
Naomi bounces on her feet excitedly and runs into Rebekah’s legs as she drops her bag to the side. Rebekah leans over and hugs her small body tightly.
