“Yeah,” I finally answer. “We should.”
There’s an older woman talking with Elowyn when we approach. But she notices and tells Elowyn she’ll find her later.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Ingrid tells her as she hugs her.
Elowyn’s eyes fill with tears as she looks up at me.
I don’t know what to say. Or do.
Ingrid lets her go and Elowyn moves toward me. I give her an awkward hug and we quickly part ways.
“I wish we were seeing each other under different circumstances,” Elowyn says, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I should have helped you with all of this,” I exhale. Why didn’t I help her?
“I, um, figured it out,” she says cryptically.
Ingrid gives me a confused look, but I ignore the urge to ask how.
“Would you two mind sitting with me?” Elowyn asks us.
Her eyes land on the door and her eyebrows shoot up. I turn to look and see Cash wandering in, a bouquet of pink flowers in his hand.
Weird.
“Do you mind if Cash sits with us, too?” I ask her.
Elowyn shakes her head. “I don’t mind.”
The pastor of the church appears at the front. “Please take your seats. We’re going to get started.”
I glance around as Cash gets closer. No sign of our sperm donor. Huh. This is his wife’s funeral. The woman he chose.
Then, in a twist of events I definitely don’t see coming, my mother and grandparents walk in.
Ingrid squeezes my hand gently.
“Um…” I begin as Elowyn finally notices them. “I didn’t know they were coming.”
“I invited them,” Elowyn explains, then looks a little guilty. “I know they’re not my family, but they’re your family. And I…” She gnaws on the inside of her cheek and I think my chest cracks wide open.
She just lost her mom and she’s thinking about my family? My mom? My grandparents?
“Come on,” I say as I motion toward them. “I want to formally introduce you.”
“Yeah?” Elowyn’s face lights up.
Ingrid lets my hand go and stays back with Cash.
“Mom,” I say when I reach her.
She gives me a sad smile. “I hope this is okay,” she whispers.
I nod. “This is Elowyn,” I introduce her. “Elowyn, this is my mom, Taya.”
Elowyn holds out her hand, but Mom shoves me aside and gives her a hug.
For a long second, she just holds onto Elowyn, like years of anger and grief are slowly leaving her body and she’s holding onto the only thing that makes sense of it all.
