"I don’t think she thinks Brian’s a waste. I like Brian. He's nice and talks to me on the phone when he calls Mommy. Do you think Mommy thinks he’s a waste?"
"No, I don't think she thinks that. Your mommy’s going to have to find friends and he seems like a good start."
"Why does she need to find friends?"
"Because your little brat butt didn't listen and you grew up. Even though I specifically told you not to. You're going to kindergarten in August and your mommy will have more free time."
"I'm sorry I grew up, Aunt Kenna. I tried not to. I even asked the Internet woman how to stop growing up, but even she didn't have the answer." Norah’s eyes were wide from the possibility the Internet didn’t have the answers she needed.
"Well, then I guess there really isn't much to be done about it. If she doesn't know the answer."
Norah giggled and pushed my cheeks together, kissing my puffed out lips. "Are you avoiding my question about Brian being my new daddy?"
I grabbed one of her hands and bit it lightly, making her squeal. "Yes and no."
"Well, give it to me straight."
"I've noticed you’ve been asking a lot of questions about your dad lately. And I'm assuming it’s because you see dads picking up your friends at school."
Norah nodded, all her attention focused on me, and I wasn't sure how to proceed.
"Your mom and I told you before it’s a good thing your dad isn't in the picture. He wasn't the greatest person and I'm going to tell you I'm certain you’re the most amazing thing he has ever done. But he wasn't meant to be your daddy. People come into your life with different roles, and his only role was to give you to your mommy."
Norah smiled and snuggled into my chest.
"Now I'm not sure what Brian's role will be. That’s the thing about life. The only answer you have is you don’t really know anything. I can tell you, he’s the first person your mommy has taken any sort of interest in. So if he's just in her life to be her friend, to get her out to meet other people or something else, we’ll just have to wait and see."
"Are you okay with Brian coming over?" Renee asked as she sat down on the couch, bending over to kiss Norah on the top of her head.
"I like him, Mommy. He's nice to me and you smile and let out your nervous laugh when he's around."
I snorted, loving her honesty. Renee grabbed Norah and settled her on her lap.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Renee questioned.
"No, Aunt Kenna answered most of them. I'm good for now. I'm going to get my tablet. I'll be right back." Norah jumped off her mom and ran down the hallway.
"Is this too soon? Am I making a mistake?" Renee's eyes pleaded with mine for any reassurance I could give her.
"Renee, you're a great mom, friend, and clothes designer. But you're kind of awful at everything else."
Renee hit me on the shoulder. I winced, my sore muscles screaming. Trip had been making me pitch just as hard as Claire and I was glad we only had half a practice today so we could rest for the game tomorrow.
"Gee, thanks, Kenna."
"Let me explain. When you had Norah you threw your whole life around her, which is perfectly normal. But you forgot how to do other things. I was so proud when you started sewing Norah's clothes, because you were doing something for you. You smiled more when you started your business. I think you’re beginning to find Renee the person and not living as Renee the mom all the time."
"But I am a mom all the time. I should call him and cancel."
I rolled my eyes when she continued to stare at me instead of getting up and grabbing her phone. It was obviously an idle threat and she needed to be convinced she wasn't doing anything bad.
"You're not going to cancel. Unless you really want to, and it’s for any other reason besides fear. You've talked to him every day and he makes you happy. I trust your judgment and so should you. You have the power as to where this will go. You decide how fast or slow or what direction you want to try to take this. Use the force, Renee."
Renee laughed and tossed a pillow at my head. "You're right. It's not like he’s proposing or anything. We're friends. If I don't stop overthinking this he’s going to run away before I can push him away. I can be friends."
"You're an excellent friend."
"So what about you and Trip? Are you two friends?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
