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That was usually her go-to when she got overwhelmed. I’d found her sprawled on the lawn when both my siblings had moved out, and during most holidays she had to host. When he could anticipate her needing space, Dad usually put a chair outside so she didn’t end up on the grass. I should’ve thought of it, or given him a heads-up.
He returned a moment later with a teary-eyed Mom and sat her down at the table. “Honey, I know you’re upset, and we’ll talk about it, but I need you to pull yourself together because we’re going to go look at Luca’s new place.”
She sniffled but didn’t argue. She refused to make eye contact with me, though.
Dad fixed her up a tea in a to-go cup and collected one of her sweaters from their bedroom, helping her arms through each of the sleeves and buttoning it up for her. It was sweet to see how they were with each other after being married thirty-six years.
“How far of a drive?” Mom asked when he helped her stand.
“We’re going to walk there,” he replied.
That made Mom perk up instantly. “Walk?”
“Mhmm. Our son chose thoughtfully.”
The three of us set off together. Mom swiveled her head around the neighborhood, as if she expected each house we passed to be the one I was moving into. Eventually we came to Stella’s, with its charming sign for the dayhome and the fenced front yard filled with children’s toys.
“You’re staying with Stella Winslow?”
“Yep. Well, not with, but in her rental suite. Are you okay with that?”
“I suppose so. I’ve met her a couple times when I volunteered at the school her oldest daughter goes to.”
Stella opened the door, waving us inside. “Hello, you must be Luca’s parents. Maria, I had no idea you were Luca’s mom. It’s good to see you again.”
Mom relaxed a bit at Stella’s warm welcome. Stella took us around to the separate entrance and down into the suite. My parents inspected every inch, but we had done a good job on the renovation and they found nothing to complain about.
“When would you be moving in?” Mom asked as we stood in my future living room.
“Luca is welcome to start bringing things over as soon as he signs the contract,” Stella told her.
Mom’s lip wobbled, but she managed to contain herself this time. “It’s a lovely first place.” She lingered a while longer, retracing her steps through the suite.
“I’m gonna come visit all the time. I’ll just be sleeping somewhere else.”
Mom tucked herself against me and burst into tears again. “It won’t be the same! I’m going to miss you so much. What am I supposed to do without my baby boy?”
Stella looked like she’d rather be anywhere else, and I mouthed a sorry to her.
“It’ll be an adjustment for everybody.” I awkwardly patted Mom’s back.
She sipped at the tea Dad had brought for her, refusing to let go of me while she cried quietly in my arms. I couldn’t do anything to make this better for her except agree to stay at home, and I had already been doing that for years. As shitty as it felt, I wasn’t going to cave on this.
“I’m grateful to Luca,” Stella said when Mom lapsed into silence. “I was worried about renting out the suite, and nervous that I wouldn’t be able to trust whoever I was going to be sharing the house with. You’ve raised such a good person.”
“He’s a good boy.” Mom squeezed me tightly.
“He’s really helping me out here. I know it has to be hard to have your kids move out, and I know I’m going to be the exact same when mine are old enough to go, but I hope it helps to know he’s basically saving me from financial ruin by moving in here.”
Dad extracted Mom from me and held her with all the tenderness of a happily married man. “Maria, you know it’s the sign of a good parent that your children feel comfortable going out into the world without you. We’ve raised three wonderful children, and now it’s time to let Luca stand on his own two feet.”
“I know, but I’m just going to be sad right now.”
“That’s allowed,” I assured her.
I knew it was a giant step and I was fine with giving her the time to work through her feelings. She could do that while I started moving, because I was going to sign that contract. The faster she could accept that, the better.
Stella gave us as much time as she could before we had to leave so she could lock up and start getting the girls ready for bed.
