Page 7 of Stepping Up

Ella agreed, always excited to help with any grown-up tasks. Grammy prepped her a stack of plates, making sure they weren’t too heavy for her before she sent her on her way.

When Ella had scampered off to the dining room, I took a stab at starting the conversation I didn’t want to have in the first place. But this was the first time we’d been almost alone since she’d left for her trip, and I had some things to say. I mentally cracked my knuckles. “Mom, are you?—”

“Carly Marie, hold it right there.”

Mom was never very good at multitasking, preferring to give a conversation her full attention rather than splitting her head and heart. So I knew it was serious when she stopped fiddling with the dinner she’d cooked and turned to face me. Honestly, her obsessive flitting was almost freaky, it was so unlike her. Nervous chores were more my brand. When Jodie Sanders looked me in the eye, there was a cool determination around her like a suit of armor.

“Honbun, you know I think you’re the cat’s pajamas, and I love that I raised such a smart, opinionated woman. But right now, I don’t want your opinions about my marriage.”

I gaped at her, but Mom wasn’t finished.

“I’ll ignore the fact that I am the parent here. But you’re not allowed to go off and judge Dwight based on the two seconds you met him at the airport before you rushed off like a bat out of hell. Before you go trying to tell me I’ve made a mistake, or he’s not right for me, or any other such nonsense, you have to be on your best behavior for this dinner. I’m talking polite, friendly, downright sweet.”

“That doesn’t sound like me,” I grumbled.

“My point exactly,” Mom said, not without a heap of affection. Her face was soft, placating. “Give him a chance, okay?”

Oh, Jesus. Mom knew she had me when I sighed, deflating like a balloon now that any chance of my chewing her out was gone.

“Of course I’ll be cordial to him at dinner. You raised me better than to be rude to a guest.” She looked pleased with that, so this was my chance to try to have the harder conversation I thought we needed. I pounced. “That’s not the issue here. Have you really thought through what all of this means? For me, and for Ella? And hell, Mom, what about our living situation?”

The thought of sharing my home with one man was overwhelming, but for some reason, I couldn’t help but torture myself even further with the absurd mental image of four grown men invading our little three-bedroom ranch house.

"Well, I've been thinking about our living arrangements,” My mom said with a casual tone I didn’t trust. She started to wipe down the kitchen counter, avoiding my eyes.

My heart skipped a beat. "Oh?"

"Yes," she said carefully, moving so slowly I could scream. "I've thought it over, and I think there’s only one solution. Which is why I’m going to move in with Dwight."

My mind raced, struggling to keep up. “Wait—you? Just you? But this house?—”

“Is in my name,” Mom continued, nodding slowly. She carefully met my eyes, a little sheepish. “Yeah, I thought about that, too. And I think it’s time you took over the mortgage and started your life without your dear old mom around all the time. Don’t you?”

Well, that wasn’t at all what I’d expected. How many times could my mother shock me into speechlessness in one day? On one hand, it was a relief to think that Ella and I wouldn't have to uproot our lives and that I could finally test out what it would be like, just us two, without my often-nosy, ever-complicated mother. But on the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at the thought of being solely responsible for the mortgage on our current home.

"That's… great, Mom," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Like, that’s really generous of you, and you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for us until this point. But… I mean, I’m doing alright with my savings, but what if I can’t afford the mortgage on my own?"

Jodie's smile faltered slightly. "I know it's a lot to ask, Carly. But Dwight and I have talked about it, and we think it's the best solution for everyone. You’ve always been so responsible. You can figure it out."

I felt a surge of frustration. A prickle over my skin. Why did my mother always seem to make decisions without considering the consequences for me? Had whatever guy she’d fallen for more than twenty years ago been the only one to contribute any sense to my DNA?

"Mom, I appreciate that you want to be with Dwight," I said, trying to keep my tone even, "but I'm not sure I can handle the mortgage on my own. And what about Ella? She's used to having you around."

Jodie's expression softened, and she reached out to take my hand. "I know this will be… an adjustment. But I promise, we'll make it work. And you always have your photography to help out, right? Who knows? Maybe this big wedding gig will be just what you need to get back on your feet."

I sighed, feeling a migraine threatening to start behind my eyes. I knew my mother meant well, but I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility that was now resting on my shoulders. With a mother as idealistic as mine, there was always something new giving me a whole collection of early gray hairs.

"Thanks, Mom," I said, forcing a smile. "I'll figure something out."

She squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with love, misguided though it was. "I know you will, sweetheart. And I'll be here to help in any way I can."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination building up like a brick wall within me. I might not have asked for this new family dynamic, but I was determined to make the best of it for the sake of my daughter.

The doorbell rang, breaking the moment. Mom’s face lit up, and my stomach churned with nerves.

“I’ll get it!” I heard Ella call from the dining room.

I swallowed down my worries and readied myself for this introduction to my new family. But when I rounded the corner to the front foyer and saw Logan McDonald staring at me wide-eyed from the doorway beside Dwight, the worries erupted all over again.

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