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“Hey, Miss Deb,” she said. Molly had always called her “Miss Deb” and Mom had found that delightful.
“Oh, baby, it’s been so long.” Mom held Molly for a long time and then leaned back to examine her.
“Look at you. A grown woman, and a beautiful one at that.” She sighed and gave Molly another hug.
“Hi, Mom,” I said and she had a hug for me as well.
“Come on in, come on in. It’s been so long since I had such good company.” Mom ushered us into the house.
“I’m making seafood pasta, is that okay? You’re not a vegan or something now, are you?” Mom asked Molly.
“No, that sounds wonderful.” It also happened to be Molly’s favorite thing that my mom made. Subtle, Mom.
“So tell me how you’re doing?” Mom said, forcing Molly to sit in the living room as she brought us all tall glasses of super sweet iced tea. Molly glanced at me and gave the update that she’d given me, leaving out the fact that she’d come back because of a breakup.
“So now, are you seeing anyone?” Mom said, getting right to the good stuff. Molly blushed.
“I’m not really sure, but I think I’m starting something with someone really special. I’d like it to turn into something, but I’m not sure yet.” I couldn’t look at her because I knew she was talking about me.
“Oh, sounds like it could be serious,” Mom said.
“It could be,” Molly replied. I really wanted to leave the room. This was getting a little too weird for me.
“Mom, do you need any help in the kitchen?” I said, standing up.
“Sure, if you want to put the bread under the broiler to crisp that would be great,” she said and turned back to Molly to ask more about her love life. I sighed inwardly and escaped to the kitchen. I didn’t want to hear anything more.
I got the bread crisping and checked on the pasta and the seafood with Mom’s special alfredo sauce. She didn’t like it when I meddled in her cooking, but right now I needed something to do.
I was so immersed in stirring the sauce that I didn’t notice when someone came up behind me.
“Hey,” Molly said in my ear. I jumped and dropped the spoon I’d been using into the sauce.
“Shit.” I fished the spoon out and turned around.
“Are you okay?” she asked, brushing some of my hair back.
“Don’t do that. She could walk in and see.” I glanced around, but I could hear Mom singing in the dining room as she got the “good plates” out of the china cabinet.
Molly’s mouth made a thin line.
“And what if she did?” I wanted to groan and melt into the floor.
“Because then we’d have to explain and I’m still trying to process this. It’s a lot, okay? I can’t be like you and just jump into this with both feet. Hell, it hasn’t even been two days. I need time. I just need time.” She sighed.
“I know. I know you’re right. I guess I just get carried away with everything. You’ve always been the one to ground me. To keep me from floating away on wings made of silly ideas.” I laughed, remembering some of her schemes from when we were kids.
“Or maybe I could float away with you,” I said, touching her cheek.
Of course, someone cleared their throat and we both froze and slowly turned to find Mom leaning against the wall with a satisfied smirk on her face.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, shooting a glance at Molly. Her face started to heat up.
“Well. All I’m going to say is that it’s about damn time.” She walked over and gave both of us hugs.
“You finally got there,” she said in my ear, planting a kiss on my cheek.
“Huh?” I said.
