Page 47 of A Night To Remember

“I haven’t sided yet, but I’ll let you know,” Kristy said, taking her doll back.

“And she’s only two?” Moira asked of Kristy’s extensive vocabulary.

“Amazing isn’t it?” Jake grinned like the proud father he was.

“Well, I’m not that surprised. You were putting full sentences together around Kristy’s age.” A tear spilled from Moira’s eye. “Oh, dear me. Now I’m crying like an old fool.” She sniffed.

Kristy leaned over to touch Moira’s cheek. “Don’t cry, Nana. You can hold her some more.” Kristy handed her doll back to Moira.

This only made Moira tear up more. She took Kristy from Jake and gave her granddaughter a quick hug. By the end of the exchange, all three adults were misty eyed. “I gotta tinkle,” Kristy announced, interrupting the moment with her immediate need.

“Uh-oh, we have to get her to a bathroom fast. She’s recently potty trained, so she doesn’t tell you she has to go until it’s almost too late. Where’s the bathroom?” Charlie asked.

“I’ll take her.” Jake took Kristy out of his mother’s arms.

“Good idea. Then take her into the living room. Carl and Helen are here with their families. Charlie and I can get to know each other.”

“You didn’t say anyone else would be here.” Jake furrowed his brow.

“Well, they could hardly stay away after they heard the news. Everyone is anxious to meet Charlie and Kristy.”

“I gotta tinkle,” Kristy said, with more impatience this time.

“Get her to the bathroom quick, Jake,” Charlie said nervously. Oh dear Lord, this is exactly what she didn’t need, Kristy to piss all over these people’s floor.

Jake turned to Charlie looking as though he didn’t want to leave her alone with his mother so soon after their arrival. Charlie nodded, letting him know she would be okay. Jake hesitated before he rushed off with Kristy in tow. Charlie crossed her fingers in hopes they would make it to the restroom on time.

When they were gone, Charlie stood alone in the hallway with Jake’s mother. Charlie shifted on her feet. What must this woman be thinking? Shrewd hazel eyes accessed Charlie for a moment before Moira spoke. “I’m so pleased that you could join us tonight. I’m glad to finally meet you and Kristy. My other two granddaughters will be happy to have another girl in the family.”

Charlie looked at Jake’s mother in surprise. She’d been so sure Jake’s mom would let her have it the minute Jake walked out of the hallway. “Thank you again for having us, Mrs. Fox.” Charlie was humbled by the warm greeting but still waited for the ball to drop. There had to be a catch somewhere.

“Don’t give me that Mrs. Fox crap. I’m Moira, and when you meet my husband, he’s Bill,” Moira scolded.

“Thank you.”

“Kristy is a lovely child. She seems very comfortable with strangers,” Moira observed.

“Yes, she normally likes everyone. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing, especially with so many nuts out there who would snatch a child without a thought. Part of me wants her to keep her innocence, while another part of me wants her to understand there are bad people out there. She’s so good natured and sweet, I don’t think she would grasp the concept right away.” Charlie tried her best to explain the situation and hoped the other woman wouldn’t hold a grudge.

“Well, I don’t know about that. Jake was the same way when he was a child, but I wouldn’t worry too much. I can already tell how smart she is. I think she’ll know a bad guy when she sees one.” Moira reassured. “I sometimes think children, especially the younger ones, understand and see far more than we as adults do.”

At the mention of Jake’s name, Charlie tensed. “Moira, I don’t know what Jake told you about our situation, but I’m sorry,” Charlie said remorsefully, feeling the need to unburden her guilt.

The older woman gave her a funny smile. “Sorry for what, dear?”

“Didn’t he tell you?” Charlie was baffled.

“Well, he did tell me he didn’t know about Kristy until recently and he had met you a few years back, but I also know there are two sides to every story.”

So Jake had told his mother. Why wasn’t she angry? “You mean you’re not mad at me?”

“Why should I be? You’ve given me a beautiful granddaughter. I despaired of Jake ever settling down and having children. I can’t exactly say I approve of what you did, but in time, when you’re ready to tell me your side of the story, I will be happy to listen.”

“But Jake and I aren’t together in the way you may think,” Charlie blurted out.

Moira gave her conspiratorial wink. “If you say so, dear. I just wanted to put your mind at ease before you met the rest of the brood. You’re very welcome here and we’re glad to have you. I hope we can see Kristy with some regularity.”

Charlie was humbled by this woman’s kindness and she felt at ease with Moira Fox.

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