Page 61 of Silver Lining Love

After I wiped my face, I started to apologize, “I’m so sorr?—"

“No. Donotapologize.” Dolly turned toward me and took my hands in hers. Her expression was stern yet somehow loving. I wasn’t sure how she was pulling it off, but I felt comforted by it. “Now you listen to me. You’re right, I didn’t know your sister. I’m sure she was an incredible mom, maybe even the best mom that there ever was. But I promise you, she was not perfect. Yes, she might have been an amazing cook who got Michael to school on time and remembered to put Alice’s leotard in the dryer. But, sweetie, shewantedto be a mom and she had nine months to prepare for each of them. And from what Wyatt has told me, she had a husband who was very involved and even worked from home.” She took a deep breath. “And you’re right, it’snot fairthat she’s not here to watch her babies grow up.”

Tears were brimming in Dolly’s eyes, and I felt horrible that I’d caused her to be upset but there was no way I was going to tell her I was sorry again. She told me not to apologize and Dolly Briggs possessed an air of authority that demanded respect and obedience.

She continued, “Losing your sister was an unspeakable tragedy, one that those babies and you and she didn’t deserve. And maybe you wouldn’t have been able to do this alone, but guess what?No onecan do this alone. There’s a reason why they say it takes a village, because it takes a village. I would never have been able to do this on my own. I had help, so much help. I had neighbors, friends, Walker, and the older kids.”

She let out a harsh laugh and shook her head. “And I mean, you want to talk about messing kids up. I messed up my second oldest son so badly that he spent the last twenty years thinking he didn’t want a family. You’ve seen how he is with the kids. He wasbornto be a father, but his childhood scarred him so bad that he moved away from us and barely ever comes back.”

Now it was Dolly who had tears slipping down her cheek. I wanted so badly to comfort her, but I didn’t know what to say. I shook my head, “No you didn’t mess him?—"

“Yes, I did. And that’s what being a mom is. It’s living with the mistakes that you make, trying to learn how to forgive yourself, and still showing up every day. And that’s exactly what you’re doing.Younever asked to be a mom. From what Wyatt told me you never wanted to be a mom. But look at you, you show up every day for these kids. And you can do it. You are doing it. Those babies are lucky to have you.Wyattis lucky to have you.”

“No.” I shook my head back and forth. “I’m lucky to havehim.”

She tilted her head to the side and gave me what could only be described as a knowing look. “Sweetie, I haven’t seen my son smile the way he’s been smiling since he was probably five years old. He’s happy.Reallyhappy. And you are the reason why.You have given him something he didn’t even know he wanted or needed, something that I almost robbed from him…a family of his own.”

I opened my mouth to tell her that she had it all wrong, but Benji started crying over the monitor. Dolly popped up off the couch like a Jack-in-the-Box. “I’ll get him.”

“No.” I stood and wiped my face. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to. Igetto.” She gave me a quick hug and then was up the stairs calling out. “Gamma Dolly’s comin’.”

Gamma.

That’s what we used to call our Grandma Mary. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming wave of love. I felt like not only my Gamma Mary but also Addi were both with me. I felt their energy, their support. I hadn’t felt that in so long, which was apparently my body’s cue to start the waterworks again because the tears were back.

I was wiping them off when the back screen door slammed, and I heard what sounded like a galloping herd but turned out to be Mikey, Alice, and Moose running into the living room. They were followed by Wyatt.

As soon as he saw me, he stopped in his tracks. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine,” I assured him.

“Wyatt said we could go run errands with him!” Alice hopped up and down.

“We’re going to see where JJ played Little League baseball!” Mikey exclaimed.

“Sounds good.” I smiled brightly and gave a thumbs-up. “Let’s go wash your hands and get changed.”

I started to follow the kids up the stairs, but Wyatt grabbed my hand and I looked back. The tenderness in his deep brown stare wrapped around me like a warm hug. “Hey, are you okay?”

“I will be.” I nodded and for the first time, I sort of believed it.

28

WYATT

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” ~ Gamma Mary

The warm afternoonsun bounced off the concrete sidewalk as we stepped out of the dry cleaners. Michael, Alice and I had been out running errands for a little over an hour. I’d been doing my best to be present with the kids, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Whitney. She assured me she was fine, but I wasn’t convinced.

“Oh, look! The wishing well! Can we go see it?” Alice asked, bouncing up and down beside me.

“Sure,” I agreed.

As we walked across the grass on the town square on our way to the landmark, I waved at my sixth-grade science teacher, Mrs. Richardson, as she pedaled by us on her bicycle.

“Glad to see you back where you belong!” she called out.

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