I remembered my earlier upset. “Okay, but what about the Christmas lights for the front porch? You two had different ideas, and now there aren’t any lights at all.”
“I knew you’d notice,” Stanley said with a smile.
“So what happened after I left for Mom’s house?”
“Believe it or not, my dad can be vulnerable, especially now that Mom has left him. I decided to forget the lights while he was here and move on to something we could agree on.”
I recalled the man who made me breakfast the day before. Stan Sr. was so different when it was just the two of us. “Your dad can be very thoughtful, at least with me.”
Stanley grinned back. “Does he have a choice if he wants to be around you?”
I considered his statement, trying to take a look at myself and how others saw me. “So you’re saying I give off a vibe that tells him how to treat me.”
“You demand respect because you respect yourself,” Stanley said. “In my mom’s case, I don’t think she knows how to embody that quality.”
“That’s a shame because I’m sure she’s very capable. The proof is sitting across from me. Your mom raised an exceptional son, and from what I know, she’s contributed more than her share when it comes to the causes your father supports.”
“Thank you, Gloria, and you’re right about my mom. She’s always been an amazing mother. She believed in me when she couldn’t believe in herself.” Stanley stood up and helped me out of my chair. He put his arms around me and held me as close as possible. “I am so grateful for you, my dearest Gloria.”
“Really? Are you sure I’m not too pushy or headstrong? In the past, I’ve been accused of being those things.”
Stanley kissed my lips and snuggled my neck with a gentleness that sent chills throughout my body. “Those people were probably jealous,” he whispered. “As for me, you’re the perfect combination of a leader and a person who’s compassionate and kind.”
“But I do have my faults. I’m sure of it,” I insisted.
“The fact that you know you’re like all of us, perfect and yet perfectly flawed, makes you the woman I love completely.”
What could I say to that? Nothing. I simply gave in to my heart and kissed Stanley back more passionately than ever.
Thirteen
AFTER MY LATE lunch, Mom called. When she found out that Stan Sr. had returned to his motel, she asked if she and Barbara could come over. As I waited for them to arrive, I sat on the sofa, watching little Ben gnawing on a new chew toy. When the doorbell rang, Ben dropped his toy and jumped out of his bed. The pup accompanied Stanley as he went to the door to let our visitors in. I sat waiting with a blank look on my face. I didn’t know what to say to either Mom or Barbara.
Mom came into the living room, saw me and hurried over to where I sat. She took a seat next to me. “Gloria, please forgive me. I behaved very poorly when you came to my house.”
I didn’t want to cause my mom more distress. I forced myself to speak up. “Of course, I forgive you.”
My mom waited, as if she thought I should say more than I did. Finally, she sat back and shrugged. “I wish I had a better excuse for my actions, but I’m just upset.”
I wanted to ease her mind, but a sharp kick from the baby made me grab my belly instead. I wasn’t expecting it and let out a little gasp of discomfort.
Stanley had been getting his mother settled, but when he heard my gasp, he hurried over. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
I started to say I was fine when there was another sharp kick. I’d had similar experiences before, especially in the previous trimester, so I wasn’t alarmed. Still, Stanley, my mom, and Barbara were suddenly surrounding me with looks of concern. Again, I wasn’t sure what to say.
Then I saw Barbara’s face. It was filled with a look of panic. I quickly got out a few words. I assured her I was fine. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to believe me.
“Oh, my goodness,” she said, “I’ve been so selfish coming here and upsetting you, Gloria! I better leave immediately.”
“No, please don’t go,” I said. “You’re my second mom now, and I want us to get to know each other.”
Barbara was already on the move and heading for the door, but she stopped and looked back at me. “Really, you think of me in that way?”
I held my hand on my pregnant belly and silently communed with our unborn baby. I got the feeling it had simply been adjusting its position and was doing okay. A peaceful feeling followed, and I smiled at Barbara. “I’m glad you’re here. It means our family has an opportunity to get closer, and I like that.”
Barbara crept back to her chair, still wearing those hunched shoulders she often exhibited recently. “I didn’t want to burden you and Stanley, but I didn’t know who to turn to.”
I stared at Stanley and gave him the look that said he needed to return to his mother’s side. He got the message and went over to where she sat. He spoke in a quiet but firm tone. “Mom, Gloria’s right. We’re family. We need to talk about things that are troubling you.”
