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She hastily swipes at a tear with her other hand and sharply shakes her head. “I was in denial, but deep down, I always had my suspicions about Sandy’s daughter. She’s sharp as a tack. I knew that the first time we had a tourism board meeting together. Reminded me of my own son.”

“God, she’s incredible, Mom.”

“And had I not been so focused on pushing you toward your dreams, perhaps you would have confided in me about your daughter. I could have supported you through what had to be decades of pain. I’ve failed you as a mother.”

I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the papery skin. “You’ve always been there for me when I needed it. I love you.” Then, I grin at her. “It’s never too late to be the person you want to be. I want to be a great dad to Nora. I think she could really use a grandma since she recently lost hers.”

She sighs and shrugs one shoulder. “The girl hates me, you know. I’ve fought her tooth and nail on every idea she proposes.”

“If Nora can forgive me for not being a part of her life until now, she can forgive her grandma for being grumpy.”

Mom releases my hand and continues eating now that her tears are drying. “For heaven’s sake, Upton, I will not be called Grandma. I think Grandmother suits me better.”

“Great Grandmother is a mouthful,” I tease with a smirk. “Won’t be long and you’ll be one of those, too.”

It’s not lost on me that I’ve barely gotten used to being a present father with a relationship with his daughter and now I’m going to be a grandpa.

“Gigi,” Mom says on impulse and then her face turns pink. “Oh my goodness. I’m Gigi now.”

GG. Great Grandmother. Gigi. I like it.

“Well now I have to get you a T-shirt made.”

She grimaces. “I don’t wear T-shirts.”

“Caroline Asbury doesn’t. But Budgie Bay Gigi does.”

We both have a chuckle. The chill in the cavernous house has warmed. I think something brittle and cracked between my mother and I has finally been sealed. All it took was Sandy and Nora to come back into our lives.

“Guess I should get out of your hair,” I say after I finish up eating.

She scoffs. “Nonsense. We’re going shopping. I have a granddaughter I must spoil now.”

When we stand from the table, I pull my slight mother into my arms. She’s stiff at first, but then she melts into my embrace. I think we both needed this. It’s been a long time coming.

11

sandy

“I’d kiss you more but it’s not fit for spectators.”

The familiar jive of “Jingle Bell Rock” plays over the speakers at The Icehouse and has everyone dancing. It’s silly and chaotic, but it’s the most fun I’ve had in forever.

Dad, wheelchair seated in the middle of it all, moves his fists to the beat and sings along. His ugly sweater Nora got him is his favorite. I have to wash it every day for him. It’s bright green with red and white puffy balls all over. Right in the center is The Grinch’s face grinning. He loves it.

I wish Mom were here.

I’ve thought about that more and more as the wedding reception nears. She would have loved seeing her family all together smiling and having a great time. I miss her more than ever.

I abandon my bow tying efforts on one of the chairs and make my way over to the bar where Silas has lined the surface with snacks. He graciously is closing his establishment for two days straight so we can decorate and then have the reception tomorrow. And he’s not the only one who’s gone out of their way to contribute to this event.

For Nora and Elias.

But maybe me too?

These people are also my friends. That has my heart squeezing happily. I didn’t realize until recently how lonely I was up in New York. Ron and my friends up there were all surface level. Not like Budgie Bay. In Budgie Bay, there’s history and familiarity. It feels more like family.

“What can I get you?” Silas asks me as I fill up a plate with cookies and mini sandwiches.