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Heat is in his eyes, and his words fill me with happiness, even as Nancy’s eyes narrow. “There are certain proprieties that must be observed in a single-parent household. Don’t you think it’s inappropriate for a young woman to be living here with a single man?” She turns her gaze back on Duke, her expression stern. “You need to remember that.”
Duke’s face is grim. “Don’t hold back on my account, Nan. Christ.”
“There’s something going on between you.” It’s an accusation. Although my heart is pounding from the reprimand, I know that Nancy only wants what she believes is best for Tabby. She’s her grandmother. It’s her right to worry.
What I am, exactly? The hired help? Duke’s closet girlfriend?
I inhale and stand. I’m someone who cares about Duke and Tabby, but this isn’t a conversation I should be part of. “I’m going to go see if Tabby is okay before I clean up the kitchen. Let me know if either of you needs anything. Please excuse me.”
I escape, hurrying into the living room with Tabby.
Duke
“Whatiswrongwithyou?” I hiss at Nancy across the dining room table. “You’re being nasty.” Since Sonya passed, Nancy and I have been close. We were both mourning, and I needed help with Tabby. She became a parent figure to me as well since my family is in Canada. But I’ve never met this version of her. Since she got here and met June, she’s been angry and snappy.
“You’re in love with her,” she whispers back. She says it like I’ve done something wrong, and it sets me on the defensive.
“I am.” There’s no reason to deny it. Gritting my teeth, I try to control my anger. “I’m allowed to be in love, Nan. I’ve been alone for a long time.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
I can only blink at her. “No. I’m trying to be happy. Sonya has been gone for almost eight years, but Tabby and me, we need to keep living.”
Nancy’s head jerks as if I slapped her, and I feel immediately guilty. I’m not trying to hurt her, but she had to realize I might find someone new someday. Did she expect me to be alone forever? She’s known me since I was twenty years old. I’m a serious person. I don’t even have a lot of friendships, preferring a few close friends. Huck. My friend Max, who got traded to Seattle a couple of years ago. But I have had no significant relationships since Sonya died. When Tabby was small, I dated a few women, but it didn’t feel right, and I’m not one to push things that don’t fit.
Nancy has to realize June is special to me. June fits.
She narrows her eyes. “You think that girl is a suitable replacement for Sonya? She’s so young. And a foster child?” She shakes her head. “Please tell me what she knows about being a mother to a seven-year-old child. It doesn’t sound like she comes from any sort of stability at all. Do you think this is what Sonya would have wanted for her baby?”
“She’s not a replacement. There isn’t any replacement for Sonya.” My words are low and sharp, but they don’t hide my outrage. “I’m not trying to replace anyone.” How could she say that? If I was just looking for a replacement mother for my daughter, wouldn’t I have found one a long time ago?
“This girl—”
“Her name is June, and you don’t even know her.” I stand. “And we don’t know what Sonya would have wanted. Back then, she wanted to be with me, with her daughter. But that’s not what happened. I can’t change any of that. All I have is right now, and June makes me...” I search for the proper words. “She makes things alive again.” Nancy looks away, but I can see the color on her cheeks. I soften my tone. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Nan. But I’m Tabby’s father. You need to believe I’m doing what’s right by her. And June is right. I hope you’ll be happy for us.”
She shakes her head and presses a finger to the corner of her eye, swiping away a tear. My heart aches. I can’t imagine what she must be going through. Sonya’s dad died of a massive heart attack ten years ago, and then Nan lost Sonya a few years later. I’ve always considered her to be part of my family, and I want that to continue. But I can’t live in the past. I hope she’ll come to understand that.
“I’m happy you’re home,” I say, and it’s true. Tabby has missed her.
Nancy nods, glancing up at me, the feelings raw in her eyes. “Yes.” She swipes at her face, as if irritated by her emotions. “I’d like to see Tabby more again. If you don’t mind me taking some nights that you’re out of town, maybe? I can sleep here, or Tabby can come to my house, like she used to. Maybe tomorrow night? I’ve missed her.”
“Absolutely, Nancy.” I am trying to follow what’s going on with her. “June’s presence doesn’t change how important you are to us.”
“Of course, of course,” she nods, but the movement is jerky. I round the table and hug my mother-in-law. We’ve all been through so much together.
“I should go,” Nancy says, her voice choked up. She places her palms on the table, using the leverage to help her get up.
“Sounds good,” I say. Nancy collects her bag and calls Tabby for a hug. My daughter comes bounding out of the living room and squeezes her grandmother before running back to whatever she was watching. I notice June stays away. I can’t say I blame her. After the way Nancy acted, June is probably afraid Nancy will cause another scene.
As Nancy leaves, I can’t help but feel a weight lift off my shoulders. I understand she’s got reservations, and I won’t pretend to understand her grieving process. But I know deep down that I am doing what is best for our family.
I turn around to see June standing in the doorway. “Is everything okay?” she asks, concern etched in her voice.
I nod, walking toward her. “Yeah.” I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close. Tabby’s in the other room, so I steal this moment with June. “I’m sorry. About Nancy.”
“It’s okay,” she says. “She’s recovering from her injury, and she’s probably worried this means she’ll get less time with Tabby.” She glances away, though. We both know that’s not it. June’s just being gracious. But I don’t know how to explain what Nancy might be dealing with because I don’t understand it either. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child, and I don’t even want to try.
Right now, I’m more exhausted than I’ve been in a long time. “Let me help clean up, and then I’ll get Tabby through her shower.”
