She’s staring, unemotional. She blinks a few times. “You’re right. I’m still their mom though.”
I raise my voice and say, “No one is saying you’re not!”
“Goddammit, Alex, let me finish. This conversation is not about you and me. This is about the boys. About how they are going to take it!”
Out of the corner of my eye I spot Ethan in the doorway of the kitchen. “Take what?”
Dani looks up, startled. She then turns to me. That’s my cue.
“Will you go get your brother, please?”
“What’s wrong?” Ethan asks. He looks concerned, his arms folded over his chest. Ethan is smart and mature, but he’s still only twelve. He’s wearing pajama pants with dinosaurs on them, for Christ’s sake. It’s starting to hit me.
Howwillthey take the news?
“It’s nothing bad,” Dani says. “Just go get Noah so we don’t have to repeat this.”
After Ethan walks out, I say, “One last thing, Dani. I’m bringing Kate and Tristan to Thanksgiving at my mom’s.”
In true Dani form, she says, “Whatever, Alex. You better prepare Kate for the fact that your parents like me more than you.” She laughs as she refills her coffee. The boys come into the kitchen and sit at the counter. It’s silent. Dani is staring at mewith wide eyes. “Well, I’m not gonna tell them, Alex. This is all you.”
“Guys, listen. I’ve been seeing a woman.”
Dani laughs through her nose once and I know it’s because I called Kate a woman.
“Okay,” Noah says. “So?”
“It’s Kate from the clinic,” I add.
“Okay, Dad. Can we go now?” Ethan asks.
“Listen, she has a son, Tristan, he’s six. I want you guys to meet him and get to know Kate better tonight. We’re going tomeet them at Applebee’s.”
“Applebee’s?” Ethan asks. He’s not being condescending, he’s actually confused.
“Yes, Applebee’s!” I bark. “What is everyone’s problem with it?” Dani is laughing to herself in the corner of the kitchen.
“Okay, whatever,” Noah says as he gets up from the stool and heads for the hallway.
Ethan stands and walks over to Dani. Without saying a word, he wraps his arms around her for a hug, like he’s checking in with her to see if she’s okay.
“All this stuff probably feels a little weird for you guys, but everything will be good,” Dani says to Ethan as he hugs her. “We’re still your mom and dad and we’re still here for you.”
They’re comforting each other. I feel guilt for the first time. It’s hard not to when Dani is handling the situation and the boys with such grace.
24
i don’t know how i feel
Danielle
It’s Monday morning and I’m headed into the office. A writer named Mirabel has become my work BFF. She’s standing near the outside of my office talking to Eli as I approach from the elevator. Work has been stressful, but it has also been a godsend.
“The lady of the hour,” Eli says.
“What’s going on?”
The pilot episode hasn’t aired yet, but the studio has seen it, along with four other episodes also in the can, as they say. The actors are all unknowns so there’s a lot of fear that the show will completely bomb. Mirabel is constantly reminding me that no one knew a single actor onGrey’s Anatomywhen it premiered, and that’s gone like seventy-five thousand seasons.
