He stole a look at Gen, caught her pleated brow before she saw him looking and offered a tight smile then looked down.
His chest tightened.Oh, he wished she would learn to trust him, to know he was in this for the long haul.But he didn’t blame her for feeling unsure.This experience had to be so unsettling for her and Minnie.
Another glance across the table saw him greeted with Minnie’s scowl.He offered a smile which earned a huff and glance away.Yep, God was going to have to do a miracle to break down those walls.
Fortunately, Bella seemed oblivious to the tension around the table as the others ordered, and she continued chatting with his parents.
He offered Gen an encouraging smile, but she didn’t look at him, her gaze on her plate, her fingers twisting the linen napkin like she was nervous.
“So, Gen, how has work been this past week?”he asked her, putting a pause on the others’ conversation.
“Busy.”
“It’s always busy, huh?”He turned to his mom.“Did you know that sometimes an emergency doctor works twelve-hour days?”
“Really?”Mom’s voice held zero interest, and the look she shot him held annoyance, like she really didn’t want to have to consider Gen’s role in any of this.
But that was too bad.Mom might find this difficult, but Gen was due a measure of respect.A lot of respect actually.Exasperation rose on her behalf.“I think it’s remarkable how Gen and Minnie have managed to raise such a compassionate, intelligent girl, especially when both of them have been so busy.”
“You’re laying it on a little thick, Son,” Dad murmured over Bella’s head.
Mom still didn’t look convinced, and Minnie’s scowl had not abated, as if she too heard the sycophancy in Kyle’s statement.
But it wasn’t meant to sound like flattery.He was honestly impressed.And so grateful that Gen had helped his daughter find her footing in the world as much as she had.
Fortunately, their appetizers soon arrived, and the next few minutes could pass in conversation about the deliciousness of the cheesy garlic bread, and the chicken bites he’d figured Bella might enjoy.
Mom continued to barely acknowledge Gen or Minnie, which he’d expected.Her attention remained on Bella, which he supposed was something.It was nice to think that she didn’t seem opposed to having a grandchild, and in fact, actually looked like she was enjoying getting to know her, asking Bella questions about her favorite subjects at school and hobbies.
He waited, ready to jump in to deflect the conversation in case Mom had missed the memo about topics to avoid.But when Bella admitted to not doing sports, neither Mom nor Dad waded in with suggestions or offers to pay for tuition, instead simply sharing a little about how Kyle himself had always loved sports since he was a boy.
“But hockey was always number one,” Dad said proudly.
“Even if it meant years of long drives to faraway arenas,” Mom complained.
“It was worth it, though, right?”Gen commented softly.
Kyle peered back at her, heart lifting at her half-smile.
“I’m not saying it wasn’t,” Mom protested.
And there it was.He’d wondered how long it would take for Mom to get her back up.Looked like this was his cue to redirect.“I’m super grateful for all you both did for me so I can do what I do today.”
Mom offered a stiff nod while fiddling with her diamond tennis bracelet.Dad sipped his wine and nodded, as a waiter approached carrying several plates.
“Hey, this looks like our meals.”And praise the Lord for that.
Their meals were enjoyed and exclaimed over, and soon the conversation felt like it had tipped back onto an even keel, with comments about food, the recent rainy weather, and Mom’s questions about the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.
“Do you have plans for that?”she asked him.
“I hadn’t thought about it at all.Sometimes, some of the guys on the team do things like waterski or take boats out on the water, but it’s pretty easygoing, with no expectations to join.”He sipped his drink, eyeing his mother.Why had she asked that?
“Are you allowed to do anything like waterskiing yet?”Dad asked.
“That’s a good question for the doctor.”Kyle turned to Gen, eyebrows raised.“What do you think?”
She shook her head.“I would advise against it.At least for another month or so.You don’t want to be putting yourself in a position where you might end up putting pressure on your surgery site.”
