Page 87 of Our Unexpected Beginning
Graham reached over from the driver’s seat and grasped her hand, fusing her with his warmth and strength. “We’re going in and out. Is there anything else we need to get besides the crib? Give me the game plan and I’ll lead the play. You can even stay in the car.”
“See, my mother has a habit of making everyone nervous.” Julia lifted their hands, kissed his knuckles, and rested them on her lap. “I got all of Devin’s things outa long time ago.” She nodded with resolution. “There’s nothing there for me anymore.”
Graham had no sooner turned the truck off than Cassandra hurried out of the house. The garage door jerked with a metal grind and began to open. There was a pile of wooden pieces in the middle and a haphazard bucket with what looked like hardware.
Julia dug her fingers into the doorframe until her knuckles turned white.
“I had George bring it out last night, He put the screws somewhere. He said they weren’t any good anyway.”
“It’s okay, I got it Mrs. Sinclair, don’t worry.”
“She won’t. She never does.” Julia snapped, unable to hold her tongue. She climbed out of the truck and stood at the bumper, leaving only a few feet of distance between the two women.
“You embarrassed me in front of my sister, tried to turn her against me. Again.” The older woman ranted, complete with hand gestures. “Becauseyouhave to be the center of attention. Good luck to you!“ Cassandra pointed at Graham who was carefully bringing the dismantled crib panel by panel.
“Oh, thank you. I am lucky.” He winked at Julia on the way for another armful of wood.
“I don’t understand how you thought I would keep your secret with you repeatedly treating me the way you do.”
“You are unreal. You couldn’t leave things alone.”
“No, because I’m tired of being an actor in your show. I’ve given more than my fair share. It’s time I start tending to my own garden. My son and I aren’t pawns. This madness ends here.” Julia watched as Graham brought the headboard last and strapped everything in the truck.
“So that’s it?”
“That’s it.”
The older woman scowled, spun on her heel, and slammed her way into the house. The door jangled and Cassandra made sure everyone in the front yard knew she’d locked and bolted the door.
Julia closed her eyes and listened to the air around her. Taking in the familiar scents and sounds. She knew she’d never come back and was at peace with it. The parts that meant the most were always with her.
Graham stood in front of her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into his chest. “Are you good? You don’t have to put on a brave face for me.”
“She’s more than good.” Aunt Elaine spoke to the left of them.
Julia opened her eyes to see the older woman standing beside them.
“I’m proud of you. I have wished this for the longest time. But nobody could make you step until you were ready.” She looked up at Graham. “Guess this one made you ready.”
“She was always ready.”
“I’m not coming back here.”
“Don’t you dare. I’ll come to you.”
“Bu–”
“I have someone coming to help me get things settled. The boy and I already worked it all out.”
Julia looked up at him. “I don’t mind driving Ms. Elaine to the house. We have a spare room if we have a rogue sleepover.” She was touched.
Aunt Elaine handed Julia two books.
One was an empty baby book, in blue, ready to be written in and filled with memories and moments.
The second book was its opposite twin, Julia’s hands began to tremble. It was a dated faded pink baby journal that had been filled out with three different handwritings. The first only went a few pages in, the second handwriting filled the pages past milestone months to school years. There were notes in the margin that she’d know her brother’s scratch writing anywhere.
“Everyone deserves to know where they came from and they are loved.”
