Page 113 of The Snuggle is Real
LuAnne led Charlie into the bedroom and shut the door behind them. We all exchanged a look.
“Why don’t I fix us some drinks while we wait,” Dottie said after a few minutes of awkward tension.
“Great,” Ford said. “Thanks.”
We took a seat at the table while Dottie started brewing a new pot of coffee, but Ford lasted all of a minute before he was up and pacing. I’d like to think LuAnne was having a heartfelt talk with Charlie about what she really wanted, but it was just as likely she’d talk Charlie out of the whole thing. Obviously, Charlie didn’t want to hurt her mom’s feelings.
“Whatever happens, I’ll be here for you,” I told Ford. “I wish I could promise you’d get the answer you wanted, but…”
He paused his pacing to brush his hand over my hair. “It means a lot that you’re here. I’m not sure I could have even asked without you helping me take that step.”
Dottie had just poured the coffee when LuAnne returned with Charlie at her side, both of them with matching red eyes.Lots of tears had been shed tonight. I just hoped it had been worth it.
Ford stood up. “Hey.”
“Hey.” LuAnne gave a fragile smile. “I talked to Charlie, but now I need to hear more from you. Are you sure about this idea? Raising a kid is a lot of work. It’s one thing to have a holiday vacation, but you’ll have to deal with helping her with schoolwork, taking care of her when she’s sick. There’s no breaks, no days off…”
“I know,” Ford said. “I’m sure.”
“Once you make this choice, you can’t change your mind,” she said.
“I’ll always put Charlie first. As long as she wants to stay, I’ll never change my mind.”
I stood up and reached for his hand. “And I’m here to help. He won’t have to do this alone.”
“I’ll help too,” Dottie said. “Charlie will be in very good hands.”
LuAnne chewed her bottom lip. “I do have a lot on my plate. I’ve got NA meetings and probation officer meetings, all on top of finding a place and a job. It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Recovery isn’t a simple thing,” I said, sensing she needed reassurance about making this choice.
She blew out a breath. “No, I guess not. The sooner I get back to a normal routine, the better. Lounging around here has been driving me a little crazy, if I’m honest.”
“I can really stay then?” Charlie asked, sounding anxious. “For school and everything?”
LuAnne’s face contorted. She was clearly struggling with the decision, but after a moment, she gave a nod. “Yeah, baby. You stay. I’ve got to put my life back together. But I’m gonna miss you so much.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Charlie said. “You have to come visit a lot.”
“All the time,” LuAnne promised, looking at us over Charlie’s head. “Ford will take good care of you. I always knew that. It’s why I sent you here. Maybe…” She blinked glassy eyes. “Maybe I always knew this was where you belonged.”
The breath gusted out of Ford suddenly and he sagged against me a little. “She’s staying,” he whispered. “Charlie’s staying.”
“She is,” I said. “She’s yours to raise now.”
“She’s ours,” he rasped. “We’re a family.”
LuAnne released Charlie and gave her a push toward us. “Go on now. Go have a fun New Year’s Eve. I’ve got some packing to do.”
Charlie ran into our arms, and we all hugged.
“I didn’t want to leave you,” Charlie said.
“You never have to go,” Ford said, voice thick with emotion. “This is your home for as long as you want. You’re my little girl and I’m your dad, okay? Always.”
The next morning, I hugged my mom goodbye on my front porch. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Me too, hon. Don’t be a stranger. I expect you to bring Ford and Charlie to the lake this summer when you’re not so busy.”
