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“And I’m not buying,” he replies quickly with a voice laced with irritation. “I just want to be…a mentor, a guardian. I can help Ray with his schoolwork a few days a week, teach him some sports—” I’m about to tell him I don’t need his help, that I can take care of my son, when he hits the final blow. “—and I can buy him that model plane kit…and other things.”
I pause for a moment before asking, “So, you want to give me money?”
He nods achingly slow.
Words and emotions that I feel right on my tongue don’t come out. I give him one final look and turn around, stomping back into the house. This man is crazier than I thought. I don’t miss Mom’s chuckle before she laughs and says, “You really are something else.”
A few dayshave passed since Zach’s insane, over-the-top offer of helping me financially. The very next day, he showed up with Swiss rum chocolates for Mom, a globe for Ray, and a dog toy for Mr. Stanley. He even showed me the receipt for everything, which was purchased from my local grocery store. He told me if I want, I can pay him back. My initial anger toward him subsided a little, especially when he showed up wearing a baseball cap sayingI’m sorryand gave me the most beautiful bouquet of irises. My heart did cartwheels when he told me that irises stand for hope, or so the flower girl told him. My legs turned to jelly at his sweet gesture. He doesn’t know no one has ever given me flowers before.
And since that day, Zach is again a constant presence in our life.
Today isMom’s seventieth birthday. Ray invited Zach, no surprise there. Even without the invite I’m sure he would be here with us.
Usually, we spend this day outside, going on a picnic, shopping, or at least having dinner at some place of Mom’s liking. My heart finds solace knowing I can give her at least one day where she can enjoy everything. But this year Mom decided against it.
For the past few months, I’ve noticed how she’s struggling with everyday things. Just from a simple action of walking from one room to another, she gets short of breath. I often see her holding her chest as if in pain. I’ve asked her a couple of times about visiting the doctor, but my mom is as stubborn as they come. As much as it irritates me, I respect her grit, and hope I’ve inherited some of it from her.
But today, I’m getting a particularly bad feeling about her. She isn’t her usual playful self but rather subdued. Her birthday reminds me that I must take care of her more.
I place the cake on the table where Zach and Ray are trying to teach Mr. Stanley a trick, while Mom is snoozing. I gently shake her, my heart squeezing as I feel her bony shoulders. “Mom.”
She sluggishly opens her eyes.
“Let’s cut the cake, Gigi.”
“Yes, let’s cut the cake, munchkin,” Mom replies to Ray before arching her eyebrow toward Zach. “I’m expecting averyexpensive gift.” A twinkle of mischief appears in her eyes and my insides relax a tiny bit.
Tonight, I don’t make any fuss about her angling for gifts from Zach. It is her birthday after all.
“You got it, Gigi.” He displays his most fabulous smile and places a kiss on her cheek.
Mom playfully smacks his hand.
Zach has formed a relationship not only with Ray, but Mom too. I often feel they have the same mischievous, playful soul. I try to give up on the worry, which hits me intermittently, about how our lives will be when Zach walks out.
After Mom blows out the candles, I cut four slices of cake and hand plates to everyone.
It’s finally gift time and Ray presents a handmade card to Mom, just like the previous years.
“It’s beautiful, honey. Every year you are getting better and better.” She pats his cheek, and my son has a wide smile on his face.
Zach places a flawlessly wrapped small rectangular box in silver paper on Mom’s lap. She shakes it with enthusiasm, but it makes no sound. She glances up at my face before looking at Zach with sparkling eyes and he returns her excitement with a crooked grin.
God, he is handsome.
She finally scrapes away the wrapping paper, in no better manner than Ray would, and I notice it’s an iPad.
Relax, Hope.Itisextravagant, but it’s Mom birthday, and obviously, Zach can afford it.
“Not what I expected.” Mom’s eyebrows furrow as she turns her gift around.
“Let me give you a small demo.” Zach takes it from her hands and places it on the table so all of us have a view of the screen.
“This app is for TV. You can watch all your favorite shows anytime. Late-night shows are anytime shows now.” He opens Mom’s famous reality dating show and does a vivid hand movement as if making a sales pitch.
“This app here is for movies, you are already paid in full to major libraries. Watch any movie anytime. This app here lets you take funny pics like this.” He lifts the iPad from the table and clicks a picture of Mom and me. When he shows us, we’re in a party background and have colorful hair and hippie shirts.
Mom bursts into laughter and I can’t help but smile.
