14
The decision
I bit my lip and selected my mother’s name from my phone list. The office chair squeaked as I rocked back.
“Mama?”
“Caroline?”
I frowned at the surprise in my mother’s voice. “Sorry I haven’t called.”
“I guessed you were… busy.”
I sighed. “I’ve had a lot on my mind. I just wanted to talk.”
“Are you pregnant?” my mother whispered.
“What?” I scowled. “No!”
“Good,” my mother muttered.
I smiled. “You don’t want grandchildren?”
“Only if you also get married,” my mother said.
Of course, my mother would turn our conversation to marriage. I sighed.
“We’re not getting married, Mama. Ever. Niklas…” my voice trailed off as I searched for words. “It’s just not his thing.”
Thankfully, my mother didn’t press me further in that direction.
“Not pregnant, not secretly married,” my mother listed off. “Did you call to say Niklas is playing for the Red Wings again? We already read about it.”
“What?”
I heard the rustle of what sounded like a newspaper at the other end.
“‘A Second Chance for Almquist?’ That’s what the article says, anyway.”
“I don’t think he’s playing for the Red Wings, Mama,” I said flatly.
“Oh.”
The line went silent.
“You’ve always been so quiet,” my mother whispered. “I can’t even guess what’s going on in your mind right now.”
“I’d let you know if I could get a word into this conversation,” I said dryly.
My mother chuckled. “Sorry.”
I drew in a long breath. “I’m worried I’m about to make a big mistake.”
“What kind?” my mother asked, not bothering to hide her worry.
“The choosing-a-life-path kind.”
“I see,” said my mother. “Not marriage, not pregnant, and this new guy is from Sweden. Are you considering following him back there?”
