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“Yes, bald.” Sadie chuckled. She grabbed a book from underneath the table and began flipping the pages until she found baby pictures of Hailo. Sure enough, she was bald. “I had the worst heartburn when I was carrying her. Then she came out bald as a cucumber. Ugh, I cried. Then at about three, she started growing hair and never stopped.”
“Mom, why did you have to pull that out?”
“I’m just showing him how cute you were.”
Bald and all, Hailo was the cutest baby. I was disappointed that I wasn’t getting my son, but I’d be okay with a little girl that looked like her. Sadie flipped through the pages showing me various pictures of Hailo throughout the years, from toothless school pictures to prom with corny ass dates who didn’t look deserving to be her date.
“Can we take this stroll down memory lane later? I’m hungry.”
“Relax, I’m going to feed you, Pretty Lady.”
“Let me grab my purse and shoes before I have to strangle my only child.” Sadie disappeared upstairs while I tried to ignore Hailo’s sagging expression.
“Fix your face.”
“I can’t. My back hurts,” Hailo whimpered, leaning against the arm of Sadie’s tufted couch.
I wasn’t sure if it was getting to know Hailo or the baby, but she was slowly becoming my kryptonite. When I was close enough, she leaned against my chest while I stroked her back to relieve the pressure of carrying our child. As much as Hailo complained about her weight, she was all belly which is why her back was probably hurting.
Sadie returned, and the three of us made our way to the car so we could grab lunch. I was sure Sadie would have a million questions about who I was and where I came from. I used the car ride to prepare for it while they caught up. Climbing out, I opened the door for Sadie first before lending a hand to Hailo, who moved slower these days.
Hailo wanted to sit on the patio, and whatever Pretty Lady wanted, she could get. The waiter took our drink order and left us to review the menu.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be somebody’s grandma,” Sadie smiled, more focused on Hailo than the menu, but I could feel her love for her daughter across the table. “Have you guys thought about baby names?”
“Not yet. It’s so many decisions to be made. I feel like my head is going to explode,” Hailo revealed with her voice barely above a whisper.
“Welcome to motherhood, sweetheart.”
“It’ll be aite. You got me.”
Hailo’s eyes skirted over to me, nervously drinking her water, trying to organize her thoughts. Her mind fluttered away in anxiety as Sadie suggested baby names, but I was positive she didn’t hear anything being said.
“What is it, Hailo?” Sadie asked, which was very telling. As much shit as Hailo talked, I didn’t expect her to be so non-confrontational.
“I’m moving in with Gi. In DuPont Falls.” Hailo released the words slowly, unsure of how Sadie would react. Placing my arm along the back of her chair for support, Sadie didn’t immediately reply, likely organizing her thoughts like Hailo did.
“Having a baby can change people, and not always for the better. Now you’re going to add moving in together. That’s a lot for two people to take on who don’t know each other.”
Hailo tried to disguise it as being uncomfortable because of the baby, but I could feel the heat on her cheek when I kissed it. All of the reservations Sadie shared, Hailo had already voiced to me in private. “Hailo can’t get rid of me if she tried. I’m in it for the long haul.”
“I know, mom.”
“You’re a grown woman. You’re about to be somebody’s mother. You surely don’t need my permission to move.”
“I wasn’t asking for it. I was telling you.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Hailo and I replied in unison, but her tone was much lower than mine.
“Are you originally from DuPont Falls?” Sadie inquired.
“Yes, ma’am. Born and raised.”
“What do you do?” Hailo immediately began coughing and grabbed her water.
“My family is in politics.”
