Page 107 of Healing Fate
As the afternoon passed by and it was time to get Vada from school, I begrudgingly said goodbye.
“Don’t go,” Susan protested.
“I have to pick up my daughter. You guys will understand soon.” Nearly half of them were pregnant after all.
“Call Lorraine and have her pick her up. She’ll be happy to,” Olivia insisted.
“Yes. We’re too busy having a mental health day,” Emma added.
“I can’t do that. It’s too last minute.”
“Do it!” Vada ordered.
I sighed, feeling pressured to obey.
“Fine. I’ll see.” I pulled out my phone and dialed Lorraine’s number.
“Hello? Lucy? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, of course not. What can I do for you?”
“Um, I really hate to ask this, but are you busy right now?”
“Not really, just starting to think of dinner. Would you and Vada like to join us?” she asked. I could hear the hope in her voice.
“Actually, I was wondering if maybe you would have time to pick Vada up from school today?”
“Really? You mean it?”
“I mean, if it’s a problem, it’s fine. I’ve just been kidnapped by the Bravo team mates and they are reluctant to let me go.”
“That’s fantastic, Lucy! Stay. Enjoy yourself. They’re a great bunch of ladies, especially right now with Micah gone. I’m happy to hear they are including you. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m happy to pick up my sweet grandpup. Thrilled even. I’ll make sure she gets fed and you can pick her up whenever you like, or if you need a night to yourself, she’s always welcome to spend the night.”
“I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that,” I admitted. “But I’m getting there.”
“Baby steps. This is a good start,” she told me. “Enjoy your time off. I promise you Vada is in excellent hands.”
“Thanks, Lorraine.”
As soon as I hung up, I called Vanessa and let her know that Vada’s grandmother was going to be picking her up.
It was strange to rely on others, but it also felt right.
When I turned back to the others, they were all watching me. They started to cheer as Olivia got up and hugged me.
“I’m proud of you for agreeing to that. It wasn’t easy for me to rely on anyone when it was just me and Macie, well, except my brothers. I guess we all need family in our lives, huh?”
“More than I realized,” I confessed.
We talked and laughed late into the night. I felt horrible about the late hour as I pulled up to Lorraine and Mallick’s house.
The light was still on, and the door opened before I even knocked on the door.
“She’s sleeping soundly. We played hard and wore her out,” Mallick said proudly.
“Is that Lucy?” Lorraine asked, joining us in the hallway.
