Page 46 of Falling in Love with Two

“Almost thirty-year-olds still need to eat.”

“Did you do this for your other kids?”

She lets out a quiet laugh. “Well, Liz moved to LA right out of high school and wasn’t too keen on me when she got back. Michelle got pregnant at sixteen and lived at home for what seemed like forever. Jo moved in with her boyfriend, and Ronnie travels constantly. Sorry, but you get the brunt of the leftovers.”

“That’s alright. I love to eat.”

“What are you doing home on a Friday night?”

I walk to the fridge and pull us each out a bottle of water and hand one to her. “I had a date, but it was over almost as soon as it started.”

“Ah, gotcha.”

A lot of moms may be pushy and try to pry into their kids’ personal lives. But not Suzanne Lawson. She knows if we have something we want to talk about, we’ll tell her. She doesn’t ever seek out more than we tell her.

She’s our sounding board without overstepping.

“Mom, can I ask you something?” I say randomly.

“Always.”

“How did you know Dad was the one?”

“I didn’t.”

“Come again?” I find that hard to believe since my parents are the two most in-love people I’ve ever met. Together thirty-five years and still acting like a couple of lovesick puppies.

“Well, I didn’t know he was the one at first. He pursued me, but I just wasn’t sure so I kept telling him no. That dad of yours is a persistent little bastard, though. When I finally gave him a chance, I realized how wonderful he was. I just couldn’t see it until I was ready to see it.”

“Any regrets?” I ask.

“Those five kids have been a pain,” she jokes. “Why are you asking about your dad and I?”

“Just curious.”

“For what it’s worth, you’ll find the right girl. You may have to stop sleeping with every skirt in town, though.”

“Mom!” I cry. “How do you—”

“Sweetheart, I own a bar. I hear everything.”

Maybe that’s why she never pries about our secrets.

She already knows them.

fourteen

Things could Always be Worse

Leah

Oh, come on.

I look out the windows of my crappy car, hoping the rain will break soon. If not, I’m going to look like a drowned rat when I walk into the doctor’s office.

Going to the lady doctor is already uncomfortable enough. I’d rather not be soaked too.

As much as I hate these appointments, going once a year is the only way they’ll give me a new IUD. Not only do I use it to avoid pregnancy, but it also keeps my crazy hormones in check. My hormones tend to make me a little loony.

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