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I glance at the potted flower perched on Kennedy’s lap—a gift for my mum. Kennedy picked it out herself when I told her about my mother’s fascination with orchids.
“I think you’ll really like my mother’s greenhouse,” I say as I open my car door. “It’s a lush paradise, filled with all sorts of tropical flowers and ferns and potted trees. When I was a child, I’d play for hours in there hiding amongst the greenery.”
I walk around the rear of the car to open Kennedy’s door for her, but as usual, she’s already let herself out. “Will you ever let me play the gentleman?” I swear, her middle name should beIndependence.
I lean down to speak through the front passenger window to Bruce. “Why don’t you park the car and visit the kitchen? I’m sure someone will feed you a nice dinner. I’ll let you know when we’re about ready to leave.”
Bruce nods with a grin. “Yes, sir. I won’t say no to dinner.”
I watch Kennedy as she stands beside me and takes in the house and its surroundings. “So, what do you think?”
“Your mother lives here all by herself?”
“Well, yes, along with half-a-dozen staff and several dogs and cats.”
I’d offer Kennedy my arm, but her hands are full with the potted orchid. I lean close and whisper, “You look beautiful.” And indeed she does. She’s wearing a pale-blue dress that falls almost to her knees and a pair of white sandals. Her silky black hair hangs loose this afternoon.
“Need me to carry that?” I ask her, nodding to the orchid. It’s big enough that she needs both hands to hold it.
She adjusts her grip on the heavy pot. “No, it’s okay. I’ve got it.”
When Kennedy asked me what my mother liked, I said flowers, especially orchids. My mum’s a bit obsessed with them. So, on our way here, we stopped at a florist’s shop in London and bought the prettiest orchid they had. It’s tall, stately, with lovely deep purple flowers.
I open the front gate and push it wide so Kennedy can walk through. She’s done well to hide her feelings thus far, but I know she’s nervous. “Relax, Ken. My mother is going to be thrilled to see you again.”
“We’ll see,” is her reply when we reach the welcome mat.
“Breathe,” I remind her as I press the doorbell.
The door opens a second later, and there stands my mother in a red floral maxi dress. She must have been watching for our arrival. She’s wearing her favorite pearl necklace—a wedding anniversary gift my father gave her years ago. She saves it for special occasions, and I’d definitely say today qualifies.
Mum’s smiling gaze lands on me first, then on Kennedy, and lastly on the orchid. “Welcome,” she says, stepping back and motioning for us to enter. “Please, come in.”
“Hello, Mum,” I say as I close the door behind us. I kiss her cheek. “Thanks for inviting us.”
My mother pulls me into a hug. “Hello, my darling boy. I’m so happy you’re here.” She releases me and turns to Kennedy. “Kennedy, you look lovely. I’m so glad to see you again.”
I realize the last time Kennedy saw my mother was at my grandfather’s birthday party. Quietly, I press my hand to her back to offer emotional support.
Kennedy smiles. “Thank you, Mrs. Murphy.”
“Please, dear, call me Charlotte. There’s no need for us to stand on formality.”
“This is for you,” Kennedy says, offering Mum the flower. “Connor told me you love orchids.”
“I do,” Mum says as she takes the plant. “It’s absolutely gorgeous. What a thoughtful gift.” She studies the flower for a moment, then says, “She’s lovely. I think I’ll call her Donna.”
Kennedy stills a moment before a smile transforms her expression. “You name your plants?”
My mother smiles warmly. “Guilty.”
Kennedy laughs. “I have a spider plant at home named Betty.”
“We are indeed kindred spirits, aren’t we? Later on, I’ll show you my greenhouse and introduce you to all my lovely orchids. For now, let’s sit and visit while we wait for dinner to be served.”
When we enter the lounge, Mum sets the orchid in the center of a mahogany coffee table. Kennedy and I sit on the settee, and my mother takes a seat on a chair facing us.
She smiles sadly at Kennedy. “I can’t apologize enough for the way my husband’s family treated you. Connor told me everything. Gerald, my late husband and Connor’s dear father, was nothing like them, I assure you. He was a kind, caring man, and he would have welcomed you to the family just as I do.”
