She nodded.
And then I kissed her like I might never see her again. And she kissed me the same way.
Chapter 33 – Grace
The following Saturday, I was so caught up in making sure we got every order tracked and every delivery ready for Mother’s Day the next day, that I completely forgot about my own mother until she was standing in my shop, watching me answer what felt like the millionth phone call. Even though our automated message system directed customers on how to order via our website, there were still people who needed to hear a real voice.
I walked over and let Mom wrap me in a quick hug, all the while still texting with one of our delivery guys on my personal cell and keeping the work phone to my ear as I helped a man choose between two bouquets on our website.
My brother and I looked like the Italian side of our family, especially in our coloring, but we’d both inherited Mom’s blue eyes and strong chin. Today, she was wearing pin tucked, flared black slacks and a white sleeveless blouse that looked amazing on her figure. I could only dream of aging the way she did. It would involve time, money, and know-how I didn’t have.
“Stay,” I mouthed to her. She held up a to-go bag and showed it off. Lunch from my favorite restaurant. My mom wasn’t the most attentive, but she’d always been great at gift-giving. I’d take good food delivered at the perfect time over flowers any day. And I really liked flowers.
She pointed to the back of the shop and I nodded, letting her know she was free to hang out back there until I could join her. When I finished up with the phone customer, I headed to the back room, where she had laid out lunch for both of us. A pesto chicken sandwich for me and a chopped salad for her.
“Mom, you’re the best.” I pulled up a stool and sat next to her.
She shrugged. “Happy early Mother’s Day to both of us. I’m working tomorrow, and I assume you are, too. Where’s Piper?”
“She had a basketball game this morning. Carmen took her home with her after.”
“Oh, that’s right. But I thought you said you were coaching.”
“I am. Dean’s helping me out. He’s the assistant coach.” I said it casually enough, but her mother’s intuition must have kicked in because she tilted her head at me like a detective following a hunch.
“Since when do you and Dean collaborate on things?”
“He’s a good basketball player.”
“What else is he good at?”
“Mom!”
“Sorry, sorry.” She held her hands up. “I never would have put the two of you together, but I see it now. You are both exponentially smarter than your parents. I bet he’s good to you. Henry was an excellent boyfriend.”
I palmed my forehead. “I was going to ask if this was weird for you, but now you’re making it weird for me.”
“I know, I know. I messed up your childhood. You can’t play that guilt card with me, daughter-of-mine. I’ve already filled it up.”
“I’ve made plenty of my own mistakes.”
“And when Piper’s a teenager, she’ll remind you of every one of them.”
The work phone rang again, and I answered, giving me a momentary reprieve from our conversation. While I talked, Mom ate and then walked around tidying things. She was even more of a neat freak than I was. The second I ended the call, another came in. And then another.
Mom came over and patted my arm. “I’m gonna go.”
“Please hold,” I told the person on the line before putting the phone down. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Don’t be. I’m proud of you.”
“Why didn’t you marry Henry?”
Her eyes widened at the sudden question. “I think… I think I had decided at that point to never marry again. Nevers aren’t mature, but they feel good when you say them. I wouldn’t say never now. But at the time I had a lot going on up here.” She tapped her forehead with her pointer finger. “I needed to like me first before I could be part of a duo again. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes, I do. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too.”
