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Chapter Thirty-Two
Hadley
One week rolled into two. Between Lucy’s new school schedule and my late night text messages from Elijah, I felt like I was living a completely different life. I thought I was content years ago with Scott. I thought I was ecstatic when I got my job at the hospital. I thought I never needed anything more than Lucy and Eli to keep me satisfied.
What I didn’t know was how much happier I could be. I didn’t know this level of pleasure existed. Not only me, Lucy was an all around joyful kid, but I swear she was even more so lately. Her face could light up the night sky.
“Lucy talks about Elijah a lot,” Mom said one evening after work when I went to pick them up from her house. Lucy’s school starting at nine clashed with my work schedule, so I had to take her to my parents’ house every day. Of course my dad tried to get Lucy to spend some nights with them, but she always said no, choosing to stay with me. When I was in school, Lucy and I spent nights apart. I guess she had enough of staying away. Luckily, it was only a couple days out of the week. So far my days off worked to our advantage, and she didn’t have to get up early every morning.
“She’s so happy, isn’t she?” I beamed at my daughter who sat at the kitchen table showing her papaw something she brought home—probably the millionth time since they picked her up that day.
“M-hmm, not only her.” Mom grinned at me, but I ignored it. “When are we going to talk about him?”
Him equaled Elijah.
“I need to go home and get out of these scrubs,” I told her, rising from the couch.
“Sit down and talk to your mother.” I sat down. “Still just friends?”
I fought hard to keep the smile off my face. I examined the floor, plucked at my ear, let my eyes bounce around the room before giving in. “See what you did!” I groaned, pointing at my red face.
She laughed. “He seems good with Lucy. What about Eli? And you? Is he good to you?”
I dropped my hands and grinned so wide it hurt. “Oh, fudge, Mom. He’s so good.” My eyes watered. I was so happy and nervous all at once. “I don’t know what to think of someone treating us well.”
“Oh, baby.” Mom got up from Dad’s recliner, sat down next to me, and hugged me. “It’s all right.”
“Ugh, stop. This is embarrassing.” I pushed away from her. “I really, really like him. I think maybe more than like.”
She pulled me into another hug. “You deserve to be happy. Don’t you settle for anything less. I won’t ever let you again.”
“Is he legit?” I whispered.
“Only you can answer that.” She patted my back.
“Lucy has been so happy since he’s come into our lives. She doesn’t even seem bothered anymore when her dad doesn’t call or come get her. Lately, she hasn’t wanted to go see him at all. Makes me wonder what will happen when Scott decides he wants to see them again.”
“It’s obvious that Lucy thinks the world of Elijah, but that’s not the only place her joy comes from.” I gave Mom a puzzled frown, and she elaborated, “Lucy’s happy because her mother is. I know what you’ll say, but don’t interrupt me. I’m sure Lucy liked Elijah a lot when she first met him, but you realized she liked the things he bought her too. Lucy didn’t start caring for him like she does now until she saw that you cared. You think your four-year-old isn’t capable of seeing how he treats you? You think she doesn’t see everything he does for you guys? She notices all right, and she likes him all the more because of it. And also since he’s spoiling her with whatever she wants.”
I laughed and wiped my eyes as she continued, “Don’t get upset when I say this, Hadley. It’s only the truth. Neither of you know what it’s like to have a man other than Papaw help out. Scott did nothing for you. Honestly, how much money did you waste on that boy?”
Her words made me ashamed. It was normally my dad that said these things. She patted my shoulder when I glanced down, unable to meet her eyes. “I love you, Hadley. Now that you know what we did, you know never to settle. Scott was lazy, never wanted to stay home, and didn’t want to grow up and take care of his family. But from what I’ve seen of Elijah, you won’t be able to beat him away with a broom. He’s in this all the way, sweetie.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Really?”
“A man is busy until he finds something or someone to make time for. Has he ever been unavailable for you?”
“Elijah’s tattoo shop is always fully scheduled. I haven’t seen him much this last week since he’s been staying open late. I know he won’t say it, but I think he extended his hours to catch up with all the times he left early to pick me up from work. But no, he’s never too busy for me. He texts me while he’s at the shop and even drove to the apartments between his appointments yesterday because Lucy asked him for chicken.” I cupped my fingers over my mouth. “Oh, fudge. He’s perfect, isn’t he?”
Mom tilted her head. “I’m sure you know how imperfect he can be already, but yeah, sounds to me like he’s here to stay.”
_______
With Mom’s words replaying in my head, I decided I couldn’t survive on text messages alone. I wanted to see Elijah, so we went to his parlor instead of heading home. I drove the SUV Elijah helped me pick out last week—he insisted on going with me. I liked it so far. The monthly payments were a little higher than the ones for the car, but I could still afford it.
Lucy was excited about the idea, but I told her she had to behave. Was it weird to bring a baby and a kid to a tattoo shop? Probably. But if Elijah and I would be a couple, then this was something they’d see and know about. I wasn’t an uptight person, but my dad was a little stricter about things, but even he said nothing about Elijah. Yet.
Maybe it was coming soon with the way Mom asked about us.
