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“When did seventeen become old? What does that make you and me?”
“Seventeen is old when that’s the age of your boyfriend’s child. If he has a teenager, he might not want any other children. Have you thought about that?”
“Why on earth would I think about that?”
“You shouldn’t be dating someone who doesn’t want to have children.”
“He has a daughter. Obviously he wants children, otherwise he’d have given full custody to his ex-wife. He didn’t. He has full custody of Ruthie and he lets Ruthie visit her mom whenever she wants. Because he’s a great dad.”
“Clover, honey, you aren’t understanding me. I’m sure he’s a wonderful father to his girl. But if he has a teenager, he probably won’t want to have a baby. He might not be a great choice to be the father of your children.”
“Fine. Ruthie’s fantastic. If she were my stepdaughter, I’d be thrilled. Although we are getting ahead of ourselves. He hasn’t proposed yet. I haven’t even been to his house yet.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do mean it. He comes to my house.”
“No, I mean, you don’t mean that you’d be happy to be only a stepmother.”
“Pretty sure I meant that. You don’t know Ruthie. She’s a pretty amazing kid. And by kid I mean forty-five-year-old CEO trapped in the body of a teenage girl. She really could take over the nursery if I stepped down.”
“She sounds wonderful. A delight. And we are all thrilled you’re seeing someone, but—”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why are you all thrilled I’m seeing someone? That’s not something for you all to be thrilled about me. Me being thrilled makes sense. It’s pretty normal behavior for an unmarried thirty-year-old grown woman to go out on dates.”
“We’re thrilled because we want you to be—”
“Happy. Yes. You want me to be happy.”
And boy, was she happy right now. Happy happy happy. So freaking out of her mind happy she could scream.
“Your happiness is so important to me and your father. But happiness is more than just enjoying yourself. You do have to think about the future. You have to consider things like whether the men you date will want to have children.”
“The man I’m dating has a child. He wanted children. He had one.”
“His child. Not your child. Clover, I am a mother and I understand things you don’t. You will never love anyone on earth like you love your own babies. You need to think about these things when you’re choosing a life partner. You can’t just date anyone you like.”
“A life partner? Did you miss that portion of the conversation where I said I’ve never been to Erick’s house? We’re not quite at life partner stage.”
“He must not be that serious about you if he hasn’t invited you over yet.”
“Or maybe he’s very serious about me and he just likes my house better.”
“So he comes over to your house a lot?”
“Mom, I have to go. Erick’s calling. We’re figuring out dinner plans.”
“I didn’t hear your phone beep.”
“I did,” Clover said. “Gotta go. Love you, Mom.”
“Clover, we’re not done talking. You call me back as soon as you’re off the phone with him.”
“I have to get ready for dinner. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
