Page 95 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

‘Yes, but that isn’t your fault. It only brought to a head problems that have been brewing for a long time.’ Her gaze returned to the pack of boys. ‘Since you were young, your father and I have been at odds about parenting. I wanted you boys to have a chance to run a little wild. To have fun, make mistakes, all without the pall of the Foster name weighing on you.’ She shook her head in defeat. ‘My father was not a kind man. Whenever I made even the smallest mistake, brought home the wrong grade, didn’t get picked as valedictorian, missed graduating summa cum laude by a few points in college, he was quick to berate me. In the stiffest, coldest voice he’d say I’d sullied the Beloit name. It was too much for me. Made me insecure. Second-guess every choice I’d made in my life.’ She sucked in a heavy breath. ‘I never wanted that for you and Gray.’

‘What happened then? Why did you always go along with Dad?’

‘He bulldozed over me in his tyrannical way. My own father was cruel, and sadly, I ended up marrying a man exactly like him’ She patted stiffly at her hair. ‘I’m sixty-one years old and tired of living by your father’s rules. It’s time I break this ridiculous cycle of expectations. And,’ she gave me a determined look, ‘you and Gray don’t need to live by them anymore either.’ She tilted her chin down. Clasped her hands firmly in her lap. ‘I asked your father to leave. Told him the only way he could return is if he changes. Starts respecting the choices his sons make. I’ve stood by for too long and let this nonsense go on.’

Miss Cheri and Miss Marta from the elementary school passed by and gave me big waves.

A pained smile crossed my mother’s lips. ‘They really do love you here, don’t they?’

‘It’s mutual,’ I said.

‘That young woman, Piper. I heard she let your dad have it at the party.’

‘Yeah, she did. I just wish I’d spoken up sooner so she didn’t have to go off on him. That’s a mistake I won’t make again.’

Mom surveyed me for a long beat. ‘She means a lot to you.’

‘Yes,’ I said without hesitation.

‘By the guarded way she looks at me, I’m going to assume Gray told her I was a viper.’

I gave her the side-eye and she laughed.

‘He’s not far off sometimes. Even I know I can be over the top.’

The sounds of children’s laughter, the whoosh and hum of the air compressors running the bounce houses, filled the air. All the intensity in my mother’s posture faded.

‘Your father isn’t the only one who needs to change. I don’t want to lose you or your brother because I’m too tied to the past. To the rules of a society that don’t matter anymore. In time, I hope you’ll see that I do love you, and I’m proud of what you’ve done with your life.’ Her lower lip quivered again. ‘It’s hard to accept you being thousands of miles away for another long period of time, but I can see by this town’s reaction to you that you’re good at what you do. That your skills are needed in important places.’

‘Thank you. I’m glad you’re seeing how much my work means to me.’

She waited a beat before saying, ‘Have you told Piper how you feel about her?’

‘Is it that obvious?’

Her answer was a soft smile I hadn’t seen since I was very young.

‘It’s complicated. She lives here. I need to go back to Senegal.’

‘I know I’m years too late to give you advice, but if you’ll indulge me this one time?’

‘Go ahead.’

‘Happiness is a dream we often spend a lifetime chasing. When you find it, you should hold on tightly with both hands and never let go.’ She held my gaze. ‘If she owns a part of your heart, tell her.’ She reached out and patted my cheek. ‘Do you understand me, Crawford?’

‘Yes, Mom. I do.’

‘Good. Now, I smell brisket.’ She stood and turned her head toward the food booths. ‘Why don’t we grab a bite to eat and you can introduce me to the place you’ve been calling home.’

I held out my arm and she took my offer of support. All of this was hard for her, but I had to give her credit for showing up, for telling me how she felt. The question was could I find that same strength to confess my feelings to Piper?