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“Yeah, don’t need to see that. I’ll let Mom know you’ll be down in a few.” She pats my hand before diving off the bed, closing thedoor behind her. The armoire in this room has Dad’s workout gear in it, which is lucky for me. I grab a well-worn NYU T-shirt and some black joggers from the drawers before letting the hot water wash over me.
This shower is amazing. The constant rain down my back helps wash away some of the doubt from last night. Hayley is right. It is a big deal. It was weighing me down. I didn’t realize how much until just now.
The pants I slide on are just a hair too short, but I don’t care. I give my hair a once over with my towel before looping it over the bathroom door. As I wander the upstairs hall to the landing, I scratch through it to a fake style in some fashion. The smell of bacon and French toast smacks me in the face as I reach the end of the stairs in the foyer.
The kitchen is bustling as I lean against the doorframe and just watch. My mother should have been a chef. She’s cursing at the pan on the stove under her breath. Then she bends to check the bacon in the oven. I don’t know why she worries so much about her culinary skill. I have, and will, eat anything she puts in front of me.
Lily Gilbert Sawyer. She’s the toughest and softest woman I’ve ever known. She commands all your attention, respect, and admiration. She came from money, but you’d never know it. She’s spent her entire life giving back, whether it was to her friends, the community, or her family. She’s always come last on the list.
She is the gold standard all women need to live up to for me. There needs to be a fire but a gentleness. A willingness to put others first, but not at the expense of family. Her family is her everything. Where I look to my father as a mentor in industry, my moral center lies in my mother. She’s a true hero.
The breakfast bar is perfectly set with dark placemats on the white quartz. Water, juice, and coffee are at every place settingwith a cloth napkin to match. I slide into my former usual spot at the counter and get my first issuance of caffeine for the day.
“Good morning, Mom, or afternoon I guess it is at this point.”
“Did you sleep well, sweetheart?” she asks.
“I did, until Hayley came in as the bouncing alarm clock.”
“Oh dear,” she giggles. Her giggles can stop time and make the grumpiest human smile. Seeing her happy is one of my favorite things. I hate that I’ve not contributed, but subtracted, from her joy the last couple of years.
“I was a little more colorful internally than that, but it works.” I reach up to kiss her cheek as she puts a full plate before me. “You didn’t have to go all out, you know. I’m not picky.”
“It’s not often I get to cook for you anymore, so I wanted to take advantage.”
“There are only two places set. Where’s Dad?”
“He’s still out playing nine with your grandfather. I’m sure the round went long because they had a late tee time. I’m glad you chose to stay here. I would have worried about you driving so late.”
“I know, Mom. That’s part of why I stayed.”
“I think I can guess the other part.” She slides into the seat to my left and sets her hand on mine. “Your new ring suits you.”
“I hate that Dad had to break tradition because of my situation.”
“Elijah, your father didn’t have to do anything. That ring gift has always been based on a major life event. I’d say this qualifies. I would never wish ill on Victoria, however, I’m very glad her last hold on you is gone.”
I set my fork down, laying my other hand over hers. “When I went to bed last night, I wasn’t so sure. I woke up here and felt… better.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Knowing you’ve been in pain and powerless to help has been hard.”
“You know I didn’t want you to take any of this on personally, Mom.”
“Just as you know I can’t help it. My prayer for you is that you can move forward and remember the lessons you’ve learned.”
“Once I figure out all the lessons, I’ll let you know.”
Chapter Five
Elijah
Late brunch with my mom was great. She, like my father, doesn’t linger too long on the hard topics. They know I need to process and follow my own schedule. Wes interrupted our afternoon with a text barrage when he realized I didn’t go home last night.
He was hopeful I’d taken a dip in the shallow end, but I doused that flame right away. I didn’t know he’d been paying attention to the conversation I had with the attractive attorney. He was absolutely paying attention. I let him down gently by sharing that I'm leaving my wedding ring behind.
There was a fist pump GIF followed by a yes with several s’s. It’s a signature move of his, so I wasn’t surprised his joy came like that. Mom hung my suit jacket, shirt, and dress pants from last night on a hanger, and I grabbed my slides from the pool house.
Before I leave, I find Mom and Hayley on the patio by the pool with an early afternoon cocktail pitcher between them.
