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“No, Mum, you know it didn’. It just gave me the gawks.”
She chuckles. “Of course, it didn’t. Well, right on with yerself. I have a cuppa for ye when yer ready. Lex has already gone home.”
“Thanks, Mum.” I swing my legs over the side of the bed. Plowing my fingers through my hair, I hold my head for a minute, letting the blood settle. My phone on the nightstand flashes two missed calls from TJ. Fuck, I never called him last night.
“Are you okay?” he asks, picking up as soon as the call connects.
“Aye, sorry, Love. Got a little fluthered last night. I don’t know why, but Lex brought me to my parents’ condo to sleep it off.”
“I was so worried when you didn’t come home last night. I called Cam and he said you were with your brother. Do you need me to come get you?”
“I’m sorry.” I rub my forehead with my fingers. “No, I’m fine. I’m gonna hang here with them for a bit and then I’ll catch an Uber home.”
“Okay. Call me if you change your mind and need a ride.”
“Will do.” I sound hollow. “TJ?”
“Yeah?”
I pause. I want to say I’m sorry that I stormed out, that I caused him to worry last night, but the words won’t come.
“See ye in a few,” I mumble and disconnect the call.
After splashing my face with cold water and brushing my teeth, I walk into the kitchen to find my mum at her secretary writing notes. “Where’s Da?”
“Ah, he went to the coffee shop ’round the corner to meet with his crew.”
Since my parents spend half their time in the States now, Da has made friends with other retirees who spend their mornings at the coffee shop gabbing like old hens. They sold their landscaping business when they decided to split their time between here and our home in Kinsale, Ireland, but Mum continues to help with their bookkeeping.
I pour myself some tea from the kettle and settle in at the kitchen table.
“I made some scrambled eggs and rashers. Would ye like some?”
“Sounds grand, Mum.”
She places a loaded plate down in front of me and takes a seat. Her hands wrap around a ceramic mug that TJ got her for her birthday. It readsSassy Irish Lassieon it.
“So why done ye tell me why yer sorry arse is sittin’ at me table without yer fella by yer side, hm?”
“It’s complicated.”
She eyes me for a beat. “Try me.”
“TJ wants to start a family.”
“Well!” she crows. “I think that’s a grand idea, done ye know. Yer so good with yer niece and nephews.”
“I’m not sure we’re ready. In true TJ fashion, it’s turned into a circus.”
Maggie sits back and takes a sip of her tea. “Why done ye think yer ready?”
“Because we’re both busy. TJ has his job, and I’m always at the pub. Cam’s talking about opening a third location for The Social Hour in Franklin. When do we have time for kids?”
“Aye, I see.” She takes a sip of tea, sets the mug down, and taps the wood table with her fingernail while I shovel eggs into my mouth. “Did I ever tell ye the story of when I found out I was pregnant with ye and yer brother?”
I open my mouth to tell her I’ve heard it a thousand times, but she plows right over me.
“Eat yer rashers before they get cold, now. I remember it like it was yesterday. I went to the midwife in the village and she confirmed I was haven’ two, done ye know. Yer father and I had thrown all our savings into the business and didn’t have a pot to piss in. I was scared and so was yer da. We weren’t tryin’ for ye, but there ye were. Two more mouths to feed and yer da was working from sunup to past down most nights. I thought our world was goin’ to crash down around us.”
