Page 41 of Stick Move

“Mom, you remember I used to work on the grounds in the summer.”

She nods, but I’m not sure she does. “I had grass stains from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.”

Dad laughs. “Nothing wrong with an honest day’s work.”

“Nothing at all,” I agree.

Mom leans toward Brighton. “All I want is for my son to find a nice wife. It’s all any parent wants before they…you know.” Oh, God, is she talking about dying? “He’s a good boy, you know.” She pats Brighton’s hand.

Brighton’s smile is shaky. “I know.”

Mom sighs, looks off toward the water and goes quiet for a bit. We all do; even Camryn is coloring quietly at the end of the table. When Mom gazes back at Brighton, she frowns for a second and then she grins. “I’m so glad you’re part of our family. Noah needs a wife and Camryn needs a mother.”

Camryn lifts her head, and before she gets any ideas, I start to explain, “Mom—” but close my mouth when Dad gives a small shake of his head. Honestly, I don’t know enough about the disease to know what to say or what not to say. The truth is I want to tell her that I’m okay without a wife, that Camryn is okay without a mother but maybe that’s not even true.

Mom narrows her gaze. “You will make a beautiful bride, Brighton.”

“I’m not…” Brighton stops speaking and looks to me for guidance.

“There’s nothing in the world I want more.” Mom frowns. “Did you guys set a wedding date?”

As Camryn watches me carefully, Brighton shifts uncomfortably, and my mind races for answers. I want to make Mom happy, want to give her the one thing in the world she wants, but I can’t play along with this, right?

“Noah?”

“Soon, Mom. Soon.”

Well, fuck.

She claps her hands. “Peachy.”

Maybe she’s not as aware as I’d originally thought. or… No, she can’t be matchmaking. That’s not like her at all.

A little gasp erupts from Camryn’s throat as she puts it together, then big, blue excited eyes meet mine. “Daddy, is Ms. Brighton going to be my mommy?”

12

BRIGHTON

“It was so nice meeting you both,” I say to Sandra and Paul as we walk them down the stairs and toward the door. Noah is talking quietly to his father, and I’m sure it was about the big announcement Noah made. I understand why he did what he did. I truly do. It’s endearing that he cares so much about his mother and just wants to say things to make her happy, but she isn’t the only person who heard there was an impending wedding.

Camryn was so damn excited, talking about her lump wish coming true, and so fast, it broke my damn heart and had her father a complete mess for the rest of the dinner. I thought my life was a mess, but Noah, he’s in so deep, he’s going to need a compass to find his way out. Wait, I guess I’m in deep too, because no way do I want to hurt Camryn, or her grandmother.

Hugs are given all around, with Paul and Sandra offering to take Camryn overnight next weekend, so we can have some adult time, and I try not to squirm from embarrassment. Paul clearly knows we’re not engaged, but he’s playing along for Sandra’s sake, I assume.

Once they’re gone, Noah exhales sharply and picks up Camryn. “Time for bed, Bean.”

“I want Ms. Brighton to put me to bed. When do I get to call her mommy?” she gives a big yawn and throws her arms around her father’s neck.

His face pales. “Camryn, about that. Sometimes adults do and say things because?—”

“How about we talk about this in the morning? Someone is very tired tonight, and I don’t mind putting her to bed.”

Noah nods and I follow him upstairs. He sets Camryn down in the living room and I take her hand and lead her to the bathroom where she washes up and brushes her teeth. In her bedroom, I pick out a book as she gets into her pajamas.

Look at me, after one night I already know her routine. Maybe I’d be good at this after all. That thought hits me like a fist to the gut. God, how are we going to tell her that I’m not going to be her mommy. This is so messed up. But Noah knows her better than I do and maybe we can figure out something that won’t crush her. Honestly, it’s so damn sweet that she wants me to be her Mom. My heart pinches tight as it fills with warmth for this little girl.

Her eyes are drowsy after a busy day and night and she falls asleep as I read and I’m grateful because if she starts asking questions, I just don’t know how to answer them. Once she’s out, I tuck her in, give her a kiss on the cheek and close her bedroom door.

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