Page 43 of The Merger
“That’s a great conversation to have with Bianca.”
Our phones buzz at the same time. We glance at each other curiously as we pull our devices from our pockets.
Mom: She’s here! Please meet your beautiful niece, Emery Jane Carmichael.
“Bianca had her baby,” Jason says as a picture loads in the group chat. “What a cutie.”
In the photograph, our sister beams while holding a baby wrapped in a light pink blanket. Emery has a head full of dark hair and a button nose like her mother. She’s also alert as if she’s afraid to miss a thing just like her father.
The picture pulls at a place in my heart that I try to keep unbothered.
Ripley: She’s so pretty.
Jason: Tell B we said congratulations and can’t wait to meet her.
Renn: Welcome to the family, Em!
Tate: Renn, does this mean we don’t have to go meet the rugby guys this weekend? We should really go to see our new niece instead.
Me: Tate, try not to make this about you.
Jason laughs next to me.
Mom: Bianca asks that we hold off on visiting for a couple of weeks. She and Foxx want some time with the baby by themselves.
Renn: Then where are you?
Mom: Oh, I’m not listening to that nonsense. She obviously doesn’t mean me.
Me: She might. With all your traveling, God knows what diseases you might’ve picked up.
Mom: Gannon Reid Brewer …
Tate:
Mom: Foxx’s mom and dad, Damaris and Kixx, and I have been approved to visit.
Jason: Have you ever met Foxx’s brother Banks? Have fun telling him no.
“What’s the story with him?” I ask.
Jason shrugs helplessly. “I don’t know where to start.”
Renn: We understand. Tell Bianca to let us know when we can visit.
Ripley: But we expect lots of pictures.
Mom: I’ll tell her. Love you boys.
Tate: Love you, Mommy.
Ripley: Love ya.
Jason: Love you.
Renn:
Me: Love you, Mother.
