Sophie
I’m notsure this is a great idea, but here I am anyway. Walking up to the door, I take a calming breath and lift my hand to knock.
My nerves are racing and when I decided to do this, I didn’t allow myself to talk my way out of it. Now I am ready to turn around and run. Hide behind a tree maybe but before I can the door opens and there stands Patricia Armstrong, Finn’s mother.
“Hi, hun.” She peeks past me like she is looking for someone else and my nerves fly into overdrive. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“If it’s a bad time?—”
“No, no, not at all.” Reaching out she takes my hand in hers and offers a gentle squeeze. “It’s not a bad time. I’ll admit I don’t get many visitors and this, sweetheart, makes me so happy. Come in.” She leads me forward.
As we enter the kitchen she peeks into the living room. “He’s napping,” she says. “Would you like a sweet tea?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
She gathers two cups, filling them with ice before pulling a pitcher out of the refrigerator.
When she joins me she takes in the case I’ve sat at my feet, and her brows furrow.
“You mentioned that you liked my nails the other day, so I thought I’d dress yours up,” I say with a shrug. “Of course if you’re okay with that.”
She holds my stare, her head tilted slightly to the side. I notice instantly how glossy her eyes start to get and I feel like someone has kicked me in the stomach. My throat and chest feel tight and I’m just about to apologize when she moves forward and offers me a hug.
“I would love that, so much,” she whispers still holding me close. “It’s been ages since I had my nails done.”
“Well, maybe we need to put a stop to that starting today.” I hug her back. My heart breaks for this woman, one that puts everyone before herself. I vow right then to make sure she gets her nails done at least once every other week.
We get lost in our laughter, her telling me stories of Finn when he was younger and how her husband was like a big kid himself. It was never don’t do that and stop doing this, it was more how can I help create more chaos.
“Will would be right along Finn’s side, building ramps and dirt bike trails. Then he’d drag out the two dirt bikes and they’d set off to outdo the other. It was like I was raising two teenagers, tracking in mud and grass.” Her words indicate irritation, but her smile says so much more. Like she’d give anything she couldto go back to those times and relive every single moment again and again.
“They both kept me on my toes, that’s for sure.” Patty laughs as I paint her nails with the shade of pink she chose. Her smile is infectious, one I have a feeling has been few and far between lately. Another vow I make silently to myself, hoping I could be one of the many that trigger it to appear as often as I can.
“What do we have here?” I swivel around to see an older man standing in the doorway taking in the scene before him.
“I’m getting myself a manicure,” Patricia tells him and he smiles, walking into the kitchen to pause at her side. With his hands on her shoulders he leans in and gives her a kiss on her cheek.
There is no doubt this is William, Finn’s father. It didn’t matter that he seemed frail and tired, anyone could tell they were father and son. They share handsome features, a strong jawline, and the dark hair with a slight wave. The way the ends flip up when it gets a little too long is the same.
“Much deserved,” he tells her and gives me a little nod. “Who is this pretty young lady?”
“Sophie,” I say, offering him a smile.
“Well Sophie, anyone that makes my Patricia smile the way you have is alright in my book.” He walks over toward the refrigerator.
“Did you need something?” Patty asks and I pull back thinking she will need to jump up when he waves her off.
“I’m just grabbing me a water, darlin’.” She pulls out a bottle of water and twists the cap. “You keep on doing what you’re doing. You don’t do enough for you as it is.”
Before leaving the room he pauses at her side, kissing the top of her head and when I look up at him, he mouths a thank you to me.
Such a small gesture, but enough to make me realize how much this man truly loves his wife. The two of them have so many struggles but a simple manicure brings them such joy.
I spend another twenty minutes fancying them up, adding a few cute small decals to a couple of her nails, then adding a shimmering topcoat.
Then I move around the kitchen with her, like I’ve known her for years, helping her prep her dinner to go in the oven.
As she walks me to the door, once again she hugs me and thanks me.
