I sat up, rubbing my eyes. “You have no idea. Is Uncle Dan home?”
Tiffany sighed dramatically. “What do you think?”
My heart tugged with disappointment for Tiff. “Is this normal? Like does he usually work these many hours?”
“It’s gotten worse over the last year.” She admitted, picking at her silk bathrobe. “The current district attorney is thinking about retiring soon, and I think Dan is trying to put his name in the ring for running.”
“Not to pry,” I replied softly, pulling my legs underneath me, giving Tiffany more room on my bed. “But does he reallyneedto work this much?”
Tiffany chuckled. “No, he really doesn’t, but ever since I met him back when he was in law school, he’s always been aworkaholic. Ambitious and driven. It was one of the many things that made me fall for him.”
I smiled, noting the way her hazel eyes lit up when talking about Uncle Dan. She really did love him.
“Tiff, can I ask you another question?” I maneuvered myself closer to her on the bed, a familial warmth drawing me closer to her.
Her eyes creased as she smiled. “Of course, honey. Anything.”
“How come you and Uncle Dan haven’t had any kids of your own? You’d make an amazing mom.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. The warm smile that lit up Tiffany’s face crumbled in pain, her eyes leaving mine to stare at the floor, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip as if she were trying to stop herself from crying.
“Please forget I said anything.” I squeezed her hand, which was still holding mine. “It’s none of my business.”
“Of course it’s your business.” She looked up then, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You are our family. That makes it your business.”
I nodded, giving her as much time as she needed. She took a deep breath, dabbing at the corner of her eyes before she continued.
“That is very sweet of you to say. That I would be a good mom. I . . . I wanted to be a mom so badly, but it just doesn’t seem like that is in the cards for us.” She smiled then, her hand on mine seeming so soft and delicate. There were years of hopes and dreams behind her unshed tears. Most likely long nights in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices. Of all the people in the world, Tiffany should have been allowed to have a baby.
“I’m sorry, Tiff.”
“That’s alright.” She stood, her eyes now heavy with fatigue as she pushed her broken dreams to the wayside. “I just wanted to check in on you. How are your headaches?”
I felt guilty as I turned the ring over on my finger, knowing I couldn’t tell her the truth after she had just told me her own truth. “All gone. I think it was just stress from moving and everything.” It made me wonder how Dan managed it: to be married to someone but not able to tell them everything about your life.
“Good,” she replied, relieved. “If you feel anything off again, let me know, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, standing to get ready for bed. I planned to wake up early to work on my homework, noting how my eyes were still too heavy and my mind too muddled for pre-calc.
Tiffany headed towards my door but paused in the doorframe. “I know this was not anyone’s choice, but I want you to know that I am glad you are here, Mari.”
Her eyes glistened with unspoken emotion, and I could see that my presence really meant a lot to her; that my life and experience mattered to her on a deeper level.
“I am too, Tiff,” I agreed, genuinely happy to have such a compassionate and caring woman in my life. No one could replace Nana, but Tiffany made my new life feel a little better, more normal.
I woke up early the next morning, attempting to catch up on all the homework I had been too exhausted to do the night before. As I was finishing up my pre-calc problems, a text pinged through. Assuming it was Sara-Kate, I pulled it up, ready to ask for help before school this morning.
Unknown
It’s Alaric. I won’t be at school
today, but meet me at the location
I’m about to send you tonight at 8pm.
Don’t be late.
Mari????
