Despite her flippant delivery, I find there’s hope in her words. A mention of a future that almost included the implications of a mother-in-law.Almost.
Have I turned into such a sap that I get a kick out of something said with such inconsequence? And if I have, do I give a fuck?
‘I’m sure it would’ve come as a shock to her.’
‘I think it came as a shock to us all,’ she mutters quietly. ‘Apparently, I’m throwing away my life.’
I turn to look at her, and for the first time, I notice the tension around her eyes.
‘She’ll come around,’ I say, reaching out and taking her hand in mine. I don’t think I imagine the gloss in her eyes as I graze my lips across her knuckles. ‘It’s just a matter of time.’ I stop short of making a comment about women and babies, especially given my own excitement at the thoughts of holding my own child.
‘Yeah.’ The word is exhaled on a sigh. ‘That’s what I’m telling myself. Anyway, I imagine she’ll tell Dad, and who knows, this might even bring them together a little.’
‘The thought of being grandparents, you mean?’
‘No. Unite them in their disappointment. Temporarily.’
‘Oh, sweetheart.’
‘Honestly, I’m fine. And I’ll be even better when I move out. It’s getting to the point I can’t take the atmosphere anymore. What’s that saying? Something about marriage being the most advanced form of warfare?’
‘Surely, not all marriages are bad.’
She shrugs stiffly. ‘I can only comment on the ones around me. And my parents have perfected the art of warfare.’
‘You must know more couples than your parents?’
‘I don’t have many marriage aged friends if that’s what you’re asking. Except one girl on my uni course who I’m barely even Facebook friends with anymore.
Meanwhile, my contemporaries are navigating the choppy waters of parenthood second or third time around, second mortgages, divorces, and loomin midlife crises. All with the exception of my closest friends, Beckett and Griffin, though the former has recently joined the married ranks.
The feathering nests has a certain appeal and I have high hopes of cementing the connection between us.
In the midst of chaos is opportunity indeed.
‘You must know more couples than that. Families and so on.’
Well, my dad’s parents seemed to live to annoy one another until Granny died, and my mother’s father died when I was young, so I don’t really remember what kind of marriage they had. Heather’s parents seem to get along, but then they have seven children and four of them still living at home. I imagine no one would want custody if they split up. Can you imagine?’ she adds, unconsciously rubbing her hand above the waistband of her jeans.
‘You’re saying they stay together because no one would want custody?’
‘Not really. Heather’s folks are as nutty as a fruit loaf but there’s no doubting they’re besotted. In fact, Heth would complain there’s too much evidence, if you know what I mean.’
‘Seven children. They must be special people.’ I’ll leave the implications of their sex life there. But they must fuck like bunnies with those odds.
‘What about Olivia and Beckett?’ From the corner of my gaze, I watch her expression turn thoughtful. ‘They certainly like one another enough to get married twice.’
‘Oh, you know about their party?’
‘Beckett might’ve mentioned it.’ That’s about as effusive as the man gets. ‘I’m expecting my invitation any day.’
‘I might even deliver it personally.’
‘I do appreciate a personal service.’
‘Only you could make that sound sexual.’
‘What can I say? It’s a gift I was endowed with.’
