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“It’s him, isn’t it,” she says.
“I think so.” I want to read more as I’m scared for Gran, only not now when Rose is awake. Dropping the journal in my bag, I unclip the safety belt and place Rose on my lap. She stares at Brenda in the way a one-year-old would to a stranger.
“This is Brenda,” I say to Rose.
Brenda leans over and makes baby noises to Rose before I get the chance to add, “She’s Gran’s best friend.” Rose wouldn’t understand, only I wanted to say it for Brenda’s sake.
“Oh, you’re babysitting Eden again. Thank you for bringing her. You know how I love babies.”
I’m stunned for a moment. Brenda still thinks I’m Gran.
Brenda’s love of children hasn’t waned, and I watch her connect with Rose in a special way for a few minutes. My thoughts drift back to the journal, but I can’t become lost in Gran’s world of the past when I must be organized in the present, and I’m already distracted by Samuel’s parents’ arrival.
Sophie interrupts us and says she needs to attend to Brenda and give her some meds with her morning tea.
I thank her for the wonderful care and promise to come back to visit soon. I kiss Brenda on her cheek and tell her I love her.
“I love you, too, dear,” she says and smiles.
* * *
Before going home, I do some last-minute shopping to prepare for Samuel’s parents’ arrival. I also send messages to Faith and Mum asking for ideas for Rose’s first birthday. Samuel didn’t want a fuss, and although one minute he’s indulging in extravagant gifts for me like the car, house, and engagement ring, the next he is playing down society’s cultural ways like not making a deal out of one-year-old birthday parties. Wanting quality time with his family is understandable. Now we have all our families together, and I want to make a deal about it—confetti, balloons, cake, and poppers.
Walking into the party shop with Rose confirms her delight. She screams with excitement at the balloons on the ceiling. She kicks her legs, demanding to get out of the stroller. “Okay, okay.” I unclip her safety belt and follow her through the store wheeling an empty stroller. “Which one do you like?”
She points randomly, then stops at the pink balloons and the silver ones with pink confetti. After ordering several for Thursday night, I pay and take one balloon away with us and tie the ribbon to Rose’s wrist. We leave the store, and I sit to order online all the food for Thursday while my daughter is obsessed with the balloon floating from her wrist.
After clicking the delivery time for the food, my phone vibrates with an incoming call from Samuel.
“Hey.”
“Hey, is everything okay?” Samuel rarely calls me from work.
“I’m sorry. I must stay back to work. I’ll be there for dinner only it won’t be until after seven. My parents can get a ride to the house. I’m checking you’ll be home to greet them.”
“Honey, I can pick them up from the hotel. Rose and I could go now as we’re looking forward to seeing them.”
“Please don’t feel like they expect it, and they’re happy to meet us at the house.”
I shake my head.Aren’t they excited to be here, and why is he playing it low-key?
“Send me their cell numbers and the hotel.”
“Eden, it’s unnecessary.”
“It is necessary. It’s an exciting time. I’ll see you at home. I love you.”
“I love you too. And thank you.”
I end the call and can’t help a weird sensation building in my gut that the truth of Samuel’s relationship with his parents might be revealed during this visit.
* * *
A few hours later, I arrive at a busy city hotel. I veer into the concierge area, give him the details, and moments later, a fair-haired couple emerges through the revolving door. I step out of the car, and the closer I get, the more their appearances remind me of Samuel. I can’t help it, I almost pounce on his mother.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you in person.” I give her a tight hug. Turning to his father, I embrace him with equal warmth. “I’m Eden, if you haven’t already guessed.”
Caroline chuckles. “It’s lovely to meet you.” A few words and her American accent is noted.
