Page 49 of Three Not-So-Little Words
“You make a mother so proud.”
I start pulling bottles out of the cabinet. “What’s your poison?”
“What do you have?”
“Everything,” I reply.
“Surprise me.”
Two hours later, we are on our second pitcher of margaritas, and neither one of us is feelinganypain.
Mom finally joined me on the couch, and I have my feet stretched out in her lap.
She points at the TV. “There is no way those cookies are going to win her the championship. That’s the least creative thing she could have made.”
I sucked her into my vortex of baking shows. I knew if I gave her a drink and got her to relax a little, she would be way more fun.
Suzanne Lawson had five kids, had a grandkid before she turned forty, and has run a very successful business. The woman is alwayson.It’s like her survival instincts never take a night off. She has a hard time relaxing because she feels like she always has to take care of everybody else.
While I appreciate the sentiment, I don’t need her to take care of me anymore. Sometimes, I’d like to return the favor.
“Mom,” I say during a commercial.
“Yes, Veronica?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Is there anything in your life you wanted to do, but you didn’t get the chance?”
She sets her margarita down on the table. “What is this about?”
“You’re just constantly doing stuff for everyone else. I want to make sure you didn’t miss out on the stuffyouwanted to do.”
“Veronica, listen to me. I have always loved taking care of you guys. It’s the way that I show I care. By doing that, I have never felt like I gave up anything. I love my life.”
“Okay,” I say. “But if you ever change your mind and decide you want to go to Paris or something, you just let me know.”
She laughs, pushing a strand of her short blonde hair out of her eyes. Poor woman has five kids, and not a single one looks like her. That’s what happens when you marry a Greek guy.
We are silent for a moment before she says, “This is so weird.”
“What?”
“I can still remember the first time I ever looked at your face. It seems like it was just yesterday. Now, I’m here drinking margaritas with you. It all just goes by so fast.”
“Hey.” I point my finger at her. “If you start getting sappy on me, I’m going to cut you off.”
“My bad. I’ll try to reel it in.” She smiles.
We start watching the show again, and my phone vibrates next to me. I pick it up and see that it’s a text from Drew.
He and I have been messaging every night this week. Sometimes, it gets a little raunchy, but for the most part, it’s been some small talk and a lot of flirting.
Hey there, gorgeous.
Hey, you.
