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“That’s actually a very good idea.”
“And as for failing him, no parent is perfect, but you didn’t abuse or neglect him; you were just very busy. You had four kids who are all close in age and who were all very involved in sports. Driving them to their practices is like a full-time job in itself. Okay, maybe you did focus on his older brothers more than him, but some of that’s just youngest-child syndrome. He grew up safe and loved, with a close-knit family who stayed together. And he turned out awesome. Give yourself some credit. But also, you don’t come to many of his games, and I suspect you still go to more of his brothers’ games. If you want to fix things, then make room in your schedule for him. It’s not too late, but someday it will be.”
Tears keep dribbling down her face, making rivulets in her facial. She sniffs hard.
“You’re so smart and perfect for him. I know you two won’t make the same mistakes that we did.”
A wall of guilt suddenly hits me.
We’ve been sitting here chatting like girlfriends. Like a future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
And that will never be.
“Well, just to be clear, it’s early days yet. I’m not trying to be discouraging or anything. I just want you to know that Paxton will be fine no matter what, and once I graduate, I’m not even sure where my career might take me.”
“Oh, dear, I know that the two of you will end up together, and Paxton will be so happy because of it. I just feel it in my bones.” She smiles warmly at me, and I feel queasy.
“Let’s take about something else now. Like merkins,” I say.
“What on earth is a merkin?”
I laugh. “It’s one of the offerings on their vagina menu. Let me explain it to you...”
“You know, when I go back home and tell my friends that I looked at a vagina menu, I’ve got to tell you, I don’t think a single one of them will believe me.”
“Well, don’t you two ladies look lovely,” Paxton says, holding the door open wide for us. His sour mood seems to have abated a little, thank heaven.
“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful,” I say, as we float in the door on a cloud of sweet perfume.
He looks inquisitively at the bags hanging off my arm.
“She bought me stuff from the salon gift shop.” I wince. “Don’t judge me. I tried to refuse. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“I know she wouldn’t.” Paxton shoots his mother a reproving look.
We do both look pretty good. Our skin is flawless, our hair is styled and blown out, and I have shiny pink nails and she has a French manicure.
Paxton kisses his mother on the cheek. “Ooh, your skin is so smooth,” he says to her. “You don’t look old enough to drink.”
“Oh, you,” she giggles roguishly. “You’re adorable. You two will have the cutest babies.”
Paxton shoots me a look of horror. A little too much horror, in fact. I have no intention of mixing my gene pool with Paxton Saul, but if we did, she’s damn right, our spawn would be adorable.
“She did, in fact, drink,” I inform him loftily. “Only one glass of wine, though. I didn’t.”
“Okay, mother, I’m glad that you had a really good day, but let’s lay off the talk about babies, shall we?” Paxton pleads.
“At least she didn’t come back with a rainbow mohawk,” I cry out. She and I both burst into laughter again.
“You... what now?” Paxton’s eyes widen in shock. “Tell me you were not going to get a rainbow mohawk. Dad would murder me.”
Now we’re doubled over, howling.
“You have no idea.” Tears of laughter leak from my eyes.
Finally we straighten back up and catch our breath. Paxton’s staring at both of us wide-eyed.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Inside joke. Oh, woo. Wait till I tell my friends back home.” She smiles at me. “I’m just so glad that Ruby and I had a chance to bond, and I got to welcome her to the family.”
