Page 88 of The One I Need
Izzy nods. “Yes. Earlier this year.”
“At least you could find a man to marry you. Come, everyone is in the living room.”
My mother-in-law turns her back to us, walking the way she came without ever checking to see if we were following behind her.
“I can’t believe a mom didn’t like me.Everymom likes me.”
“I told you, Constance McCall doesn’t like anyone. Don’t take offense.”
We start walking toward what I’m assuming is the family room as every person we walk past either whispers about us or just flat out mumbles something under their breath about Izzy. I want to tell them to speak up, but I’m not ready to cause a scene this early.
“Should I ask what she meant about you and me getting married?”
Izzy shakes her head. “Just my mom being my mom.”
I have a feeling there’s more to the story, but this isn’t the place. Not as we’re about to walk into the lion’s den.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a living room look so sterile. The walls are a boring beige. There is exactly one couch, one recliner, and one coffee table. No television. No pictures. There’s not even a blanket on the back of the couch or flowers in the windows. Nothing.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“My childhood.”
Like in the other room, every set of eyes is staring at us, which is unnerving. The only difference is there’s a few people who aren’t looking at Izzy and me with confusion and disgust.
“Aunt Izzy!”
A little boy, probably around Magnolia’s age, runs up to Izzy and launches himself into her arms. She was startled at first, but catches him at the last second so he can give her the biggest hug I’ve ever seen a tiny human give. And I’ve been on the receiving end of some epic tiny human hugs.
“Hey, Benji.”
“Mommy said you were coming but I didn’t believe her because you never come here, but you came and I’m so happy.”
“I’m so happy to see you buddy. So happy.”
I see Izzy blink hard, meaning she’s trying to hold back the tears. I put my hand on her back, hoping that I can give her some sort of support through this emotional moment. Hell, I feel the tears welling up.
“I was hoping he was running to you.”
Izzy sets Benji down. “Hey, Jessie.”
The two wrap each other in a hug that I can tell has been years in the making. Tears are flowing, and not just from them. I’m a mess.
“Are you crying?”
I look down to Benji, who is looking up at me like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.
“Happy tears,” I say as I wipe the wetness from my eyes. “I’m Oliver. Nice to meet you”
Benji looks me up and down, clearly assessing whether or not I can be trusted. “Are you with my Aunt Izzy?”
“I am. I’m actually her husband.”
“Husband!” Jessie yells pushing Izzy away and grabbing her ring finger. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We don’t have time for that today, I’m afraid,” Izzy says. “Where’s your husband and the other child?”
“Home,” she says. “After I begged Mom to let me close the store for today and the funeral tomorrow, she then insisted we all come over here to greet the people coming to pay their respects. We were all set to come until Macy decided to get sick in the car. Jimmy took her home, and Benji and I came here.”
