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“Mom…”
“I need to go for a walk,” she announced, knocking over her chair in her haste to get up, and leaving Dad and me at the kitchen table.
When the door slammed, I flinched and dropped my face into my hands. I’d known Mom wouldn’t take things well, but while I’d expected the tears, I hadn’t expected her storming out.
“Give her time,” Dad told me. He took a few more bites of the dinner I had made, leaving me sitting in uncomfortable silence. “Tell me about this new place. I’ll work on your mother once I have some details.”
That gave me a bit of hope. “It’s a couple of streets over, actually. You know Little Stars Dayhome?”
Dad nodded, shoveling another bite into his mouth.
“The woman who runs it has renovated her basement into a suite. I thought it would be a good starting point. I won’t be at home, but Mom can see me almost as often.”
“And how did you get acquainted enough with this woman for her to rent out her basement to you? Is that a cover for telling us you’re moving in with her?”
I choked on my spaghetti. “No, not at all. There’s an actual basement suite. I walk her dog, and she’s the sister of a friend. She needs the income.”
Dad ate some more in silence and I waited awkwardly for him to speak. Eventually he sighed. “Is this a done deal, or are you still considering?”
Fresh nerves picked at me. I didn’t want both of my parents to be opposed to moving out. I’d been banking on Dad having my back. “I haven’t signed a contract yet.”
“All right. I’ll talk to your mother when she gets back. Ask your landlord if we can come see the suite before you sign a contract. Your mother will feel better seeing how close it is, and I’ll make sure everything was done up to code.”
“It’s all fine. Cousin Philip helped with the renovations.”
“He’s a good boy.” Dad nodded. “I trust his work. I’m glad you’re finally stepping out. I’m sure you’ve been worried your mother was going to react exactly how she did.”
“I’ve been agonizing about it for years.”
Dad chuckled. “I love her to pieces, but your mother is definitely a woman of big feelings. She’ll get over this. I don’t want you to delay living your life because you’re worried about how she’ll feel. Every parent has to go through this and she is no different.”
“I don’t want her to be hurt,” I said quietly, staring down into my food.
“Pain is part of life. How are you supposed to appreciate the sunshine if it never rains? You stayed home far longer than your mother had any right to expect. You will always be welcome here, but I’m proud of you for taking this step.”
I sucked back the flood of emotion, but Dad saw anyway and climbed out of his seat to hug me.
“Here now, only one of my favorite people is allowed to cry at a time.”
That broke me out of the spiral. I’d known this was going to be hard to navigate, but it sucked.
“I’m going to finish eating this delicious food you’ve made for us, and then I’ll pack up your mother’s portion. She can eat it once she’s cried herself out.”
While Dad ate, I messaged Stella.
Luca:
My parents want to see the suite before I sign the contract
Is there a good time I can bring them over?
Stella:
You can come now if you’d like. I have an hour or so before I have to start bedtime with the kids
I relayed Stella’s message to my dad.
“Let me go check if your mother is on the front lawn or if she stormed off a little farther afield.”
