“Nora.”I didn’t tell her about Jack’s mother or our bad interactions, because Trish loves so fiercely that she might stomp on her foot.“It’s going to be fine.I just really want them to like me.”
Trish crosses the room slowly, which is strange for her.She’s usually quite sprightly for a woman her age.Then she takes my hands in hers.“Vanessa.”
I meet her eyes.
“You are agift, and anyone who can’t see that is a terminally stupid moron.”
I roll my eyes.
She doesn’t reciprocate.“I mean every word of that.What you’ve brought to my son and our family, it has all been good.I love you.Not just because Jason loved you, but because you’re easy to love.”She smiles.“Today will be fine.No one can not like you, not once they really see you.”
Instead of arguing, I tidy up the kitchen.The last thing I need to do is give Jack’s mother any excuse to criticize.Plus, with her habit of arriving early, I want to make sure I’m ready with plenty of time to spare.
Jack must have the same thought, though I never told him about his mother showing up early and telling me I was late.Even so, he arrives thirty minutes before school lets out with his twins in tow.“Happy Christmas!”
The little babies both cheer.
“No school!”Rory says.
“And Christmas is only four days away,” Ryan says.“Santa’s bringing me a puppy.”
I glance at Jack, who shakes his head and pulls a face.
Then I laugh.I can’t help it.Kids are magical at Christmas.I start rummaging through my cookie cutters.“I think I might have a dog cookie cutter.”
“Does school finish early today?”Trish asks.“Will our three be home soon?”
“No.”Jack shrugs.“These two had a party, and the teacher said we could sign them out.Once my two finished licking the frosting off their cookies, they kept begging to go.I figured it was fine.What are they missing?Playing chase and getting yelled at?”He looks around.“I thought maybe I could help you set up, but it looks like you’ve already done everything.”
“Vanessa’s clearly nervous,” Trish says.“So is your mom scary?Or is it your sister?She won’t say.”
Jack’s eyes widen.
“Trish!”I snap.“Go to your room.”
She laughs.“Yes, Mother.”But then she cocks her head.“Which is it, though, so I’m prepared?”
“Oh, it’s definitely our mother.”I didn’t even see Quinn come in—she must have parked around the corner.“Because I’m a delight.”She’s dressed as cute as ever, with an adorable plaid sweater and tweed pants with cute black boots.Her hair looks sassy, with the ends curling under a little knit cap, and she’s smiling broadly.She tugs off her mitten and holds out her hand.“You must be Vanessa’s mother.You look just like her.”
Trish looks nothing like me, since she’s not my mother, but she just beams.“Thank you.I am.”She shakes Quinn’s hand.
I can’t help laughing.“She’s my late husband’s mother, but I love her as much as I love my own mother, if that counts.”
“Of course it does,” Quinn says.“And the fact that your mother-in-law loves you is very promising.”She drops her voice to a whisper.“My mum barely tolerates her own children.”
As if she was summoned, Mrs.Shanahan’s black SUV pulls up outside and parks beside Jack’s car.
“Oh, boy,” I say, sounding just like Natalie.“It’s go time.”
“She’ll be nice,” Jack says.“She’s happy to be invited.”
Mrs.Shanahan’s taking everything in as she strolls through the door, every bit as put together as Quinn, but sleeker and more expensive looking.Not a hair is out of place, and she looks more like she’s here to chair a charity brunch than to roll out and paint cookies.
“Maimeó,” Ryan says.
“Nana,” Rory says.
“A stórtha,” Mrs.Shanahan says.“You look as lovely as ever.”She kisses Rory on the head, but Ryan’s already darted back over to the toy corner at the edge of my kitchen.He’s made a huge mess with the play kitchen, but surely she can’t fault me for a mess her own grandchildren made.
