Page 59 of The Sky in Summer
“Fuckery!” Tyler says.
“That’s going to be my new favorite word,” David says to his brother.
“No it’s not,” Layla adds.
“Good luck in stopping it. We couldn’t,” Scarlett says laughing. “Come on, Dad. Just open the envelope. We will wait the minute.”
Grumbling under his breath, he looks inside at the picture then turns the envelope to see the backside of the photograph. Then he looks at his daughter. Then at Parish. Then at his daughter. They are smiling and Scarlett nods. Gaston Lyon’s eyes fill with tears. He takes the picture out and turns it to his chest, continuing the game. Tears stream.
“Who the hell isthis?” It is said with an entirely different tone. So much quieter.
“This is Doctor Arthur Simon. Scarlett’s OBGYN.” You can hear the sharp intake of breaths from the players. “No lie.”
Nothing can stop the tears now. He covers his face with the rugged hands of a sculptor. And as the truth of his words dawn on us all, we join him with tears of our own. Even the kids are touched. Parish is crying as he takes his wife’s hand. Sam obviously knew beforehand because the news does not surprise.
“Scarlett! Really! Is this true? Do not mess with your mother! Are you pregnant?”
“I am! We are!”
My father rises and goes to his daughter, taking her in his arms. He cries onto her shoulder.
“Mon petite cheri.”
Then he goes to his son-in-law and wraps him in a strong embrace.
“I am so happy for you, Parish. So happy.”
It hits me hard. Most of us here know Parish lost a young son in a school shooting. And that makes this moment so much more poignant and meaningful. I can’t imagine what he is feeling.
“Sam! Come here!” Scarlett says.
Mom joins them and they stand together, inside a circle. She is crying and laughing at the same time. Our family rises and takes their places around the parents and brother to be.
It is one of those moments that stay in your mind forever. One where you see into the past and the future at once. There is love here and undeniable joy. Parish and my sister look at each other with such happiness and their joy makes me tear up. Another soul is coming to join our family. He or she is one lucky baby. Lucky all.
So this is something I will never experience. And my first thought isn’t the usual ‘thank God’. I feel Layla’s eyes on me. She smiles through tears. This feeling inside me just keeps getting bigger.
14
Layla
This moment is so moving, and I feel blessed to be an observer. Tyler, David, and I are still at the table, and separate from the impact of the news. But each one of us is affected by what we watch. You don’t need a ticket to ride this train. There’s a lump in my throat. I see my children’s tears. Even though David wipes them away before they reach his cheek and Tyler uses a paper napkin to blow his nose. Are they emotional because of their own fractured family, or the beauty of this one?
“When are you due?” Aurora says.
“April tenth.”
Scarlett’s face has taken on a new look. I recognize the pure joy that can come from knowing you are pregnant. It is something I won’t feel again. For the first time in years, I sense the loss.
“A spring baby!” Gaston says, pinching her cheek.
He crosses to Sam and wraps arms around him in a bear hug, enveloping him in a grandfather’s love.
“And you are going to be a big brother! That deserves five kisses on your head!”
“Big yikes! I’m sixteen, Grandpa!”
“So what?”
