Page 81 of Shattered Dreams

Richard

Thanksgiving

The strong scent of coffee pulled me from sleep, and I stretched on the couch. I spent the night at my mom’s and heard her in the kitchen, trying to be quiet.

Rolling off the couch, I stumbled into the kitchen, making a beeline for the coffeepot.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” I laughed. “The coffee did.”

“It’s so nice having all three of you home.” She looked up at me with teary eyes. “The house will be filled with love and laughter the way it was always meant to be.”

I walked over to the table and took a seat, staring into my cup.

“Richie?” She filled a cup and sat beside me. “Jesus. Am I gonna need something harder than coffee to get through this talk?” Mom asked as she tips her head to search my face.

“I…” Shaking my head, I look up at her. “I don’t know.”

“Fuck.”

My eyes popped open, and my jaw dropped. Mom rarely uses that word.

“You’ve been keeping something bottled up.” She reached for my hand. “You’re my firstborn. I know you better than anyone.”

“I’m holding something in, and I … can’t anymore.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” Mom patted my hand.

“I love her, ma.”

She threw her head back, laughing. “No shit. I know, son. You always have.”

I joined her laughter and shook my head. When we both calmed, I turned to see her face. “Do you know why she left years ago?”

Mom took a drink of her coffee. “Well, the official story was that she wanted to get out of this small ass town and experience what life had to offer.” She shook her head. “But if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say there was more to the story.”

Pressing my lips together, I nodded.

“Did you almost make me a grandma?” She asks quietly.

I shook my head and took a drink of my coffee.

“Son? What’s the complete story?”

Scratching my chin, I looked at my mom and couldn’t stop the tears that filled my eyes. “I beat Coop. Ma, I made you a grandma.” My head dropped to the table. “But she didn’t tell me, Ma. You know why? Because I was an asshole.”

“Richard Garrett. You are a lot of things, but asshole has never been one of them.” Her hand rubbed soft circles on my back.

“You don’t understand, Ma.” I turned my head to see her. “Remember when Ethan knocked Vivi up? And then Henry and Victoria?”

“I remember.”

“I told her I was glad that it wasn’t us. I told her I never wanted kids. That I’d never change my mind on it.”

“Oh.” Mom pursed her lips. “Baby, you were a kid.”

“She didn’t tell me, because I’d already given her my reaction.”

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