Page 62 of A New Era

Holly

Letting myself into my mom’s house, the radio plays in the kitchen. Something I’ve found she plays every day to mask the silence in the home since my father’s passing. Walking into the kitchen I join her at the table and drag the sudoku book from her.

“Hello to you too, honey.”

“Hey.”

My mom is more human these days. She dresses every day. She wears make-up again. Her hair is brushed and primed to perfection. Yet her soul still cries for my father.

“I wasn’t expecting you till later this afternoon. I thought you were picking up the cake at four?”

“The baker called and said it was ready early, so I thought I’d pick it up and get back.”

“Are the nerves setting in yet?” she asks.

The first time she met Leo, it was like my father was still in the room. She put the room on edge until she saw the way he was with Rayna and realised he wasn’t quite the biker trash she believed him to be. She hasn’t been out to the club yet so the wedding should be an eye-opener for her. I reckon she’ll be okay once she sees they’re good people.

“No nerves, I can’t wait.”

“Your dad used to say that the proudest days as a father would be your graduation from school, your college graduation and the day you got married.”

I don’t think my father would approve of my choice of husband, but I keep that to myself because there’s no point voicing what we both know. If my dad were still alive there would be no way my mom would be coming to the wedding. She’d stand at his side and do as he said. In a way, I’m glad he’s not here, I’d rather have at least one parent at my wedding than none.

Changing the conversation, I ask, “Do you need me to pick you up anything while I’m in town?”

“No, thank you, darling. I’m all set.”

“And you remember that Cas said he’ll come and pick you up on Saturday.”

Her lips purse and I wait for her to moan about it. But it doesn’t come.

“I’ll be ready.”

“You’re still welcome to come and stay at the house with me the night before.”

I wish she would. I want her to see it’s a home. That me, Rayna, and Leo are just like any other family.

“It’s okay, you know I don’t like staying out.”

I’ve heard it time and time before. I had hoped she’d come out of her shell without Dad around. I don’t mean to be harsh, but everything was my father’s way or not at all. She spent years going along with whatever plans he made. She has the choice now to make her own decisions and live a life full of family and good times, but she still chooses to hide away.

“If you change your mind, let me know.”

I don’t stay long and drive to the bakery. I’m met with a much larger cake than I ordered and trying to fit it into the car is an epic failure. They con an extra twenty-five dollars to deliver. This pisses me off because I originally asked if they offered a delivery service, and they said no. The minute I said I’d have my fiancé come and pick it up, they were all too helpful. It’s ridiculous. They acted like Leo would’ve burned down their bakery or something.

Though I did spend extra on my wedding night lingerie and that I can take home myself.

I turn the radio up and sing along to the song, happy in the knowledge there is nothing left to do apart from wait to get married. Leo loves me, I know that with all my heart. He and Rayna are the light my life needs and each day with them heals me like no one else could. I’ve found a person who can see when I’m hiding and as much as it irritates me sometimes, I love him even more for it.

Police sirens ruin my song and glancing in the rearview mirror, the sheriff’s cruiser is close behind me. I pull over and shut off the radio. I take out my registration papers from the glove compartment and dig around my purse for my licence.

I watch her climb out of her cruiser and stroll toward my car from the side mirror. She comes to a stop and motions for me to lower my window. I do.

“Are you aware you were speeding?” she asks, holding her hand out for my documents.

Frowning, I pass them over and say, “I don’t think I was, but I’m sorry if I was.”

I pray she gives me a ticket and I can get on home. I’ve never been stopped before. I’m always careful when I’m driving.

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