AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sits. “I knew her brother would take her away, and then maybe you and Theron could…” She trails off.
“Theron and I are going to be okay,” I tell her.
Her eyes are wet when she looks at me. “When I heard what happened to him, and I was so far away, I almost died myself.” I try not to let that sting. Theron did get the worst end of it. But she continues. “You and Mercedes too, you didn’t deserve that. And I’m glad she and you and the babies are safe.”
“Thank you. It is because of Theron.”
She smiles a little proudly at that. “That’s the Theron I know, Judge. It’s the one you never knew.” This gives me pause. All this time, all these years, has she had a piece of my brother that I refused to believe existed? How much time we’ve wasted. How much I’ve missed out on. We all have missed out on.
“I am sorry, if it makes any difference.” She points at the envelope propped against the box on the table. “It’s all in there. Along with some things for the baby I thought you might want. The christening gown both you and Theron wore, some keepsakes for the nursery, and just some other little things. You can throw it away. I’ll understand.”
“You kept all that?”
“Of course, I did. What mother wouldn’t?”
I study her for a moment and absorb her words. We’ve been unfair to each other, but the past is past. It’s time to let it go like I told Theron to do. “Where were you?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “I have a friend in Brazil.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Brazil?”
She smiles. “He’s an old man. We’ve known each other for years, and well, it was past time I visited him, so I thought why not.”
“Society?”
“No. The opposite. Just a simple, kind man whom I met when I was on a study trip a lifetime ago. We always returned to each other even after years without contact. A letter or a postcard, a photo maybe. His wife passed away a few years back, and honestly, I had no idea where else to go, but I knew I couldn’t stay here.”
“Because you were afraid of me. Of what you thought I’d do to you.” The darkness that’s always lurked beneath the surface swells a little as if her fear has given it breath. I tamp it down.
She just watches me but doesn’t answer.
“I’m sorry I allowed him to do what he did to you. I’m sorry I stood by and watched. I’m sorry I didn’t help you. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner.”
Fat tears drop from her eyes. I reach for the box of tissues on the counter and hand her two. She takes them, thanks me, and blots at her eyes, careful of her makeup.
“You can stay,” I tell her. “I’d like it if you did. I think Mercedes would like it, too.”
“I’m not sure about that.” She pushes to her feet. I do too.
“I am. Come to the house. Give us your gifts yourself.”
“I have a flight to catch,” she argues, but it’s weak. I can see she wants to be here.
“Has your friend ever been to New Orleans?”
28
Judge
Mercedes goes into labor two weeks and a day before her due date.
“We should go,” I tell her. I wanted to leave for the hospital hours ago, but she refused. She wanted to stay home as long as possible.
“Okay,” she finally says, dragging herself out of bed. “Call Solana,” she tells me as she walks toward the closet tugging at her nightie as she does. “She’ll tell Georgie,” she continues, having to pause to lean against the dresser when another contraction hits. “They’ll meet us at the hospital. If you—” She stops speaking, squeezing her eyes shut as I wrap my arms around her. She leans into me.
“Mercedes.” I hold her tight as her knees wobble with the pain that must be excruciating. I wish I could take it over from her.
“I need… my clothes.” She points, taking a deep breath in. The contraction has passed. I check my watch.
