15-05-2021-052358It-Ends-with-Us

reasons. I’m not wearing a maternity shirt but my bump is almost
impossible to hide without a jacket. Especially from a mother.
“Hey, sweetie!” she says.
I walk into the kitchen and give her a side hug while she layers
cheese over the top of the lasagna. Once the lasagna is in the oven, we
walk over to the dining room table and take a seat. She leans back in
her chair and takes a sip from a glass of tea.
She’s smiling. I hate it even more that she looks so happy right
now.
“Lily,” she says. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
I don’t like this. I was coming over here to talk to her. I’m not
prepared to receive a talk.
“What is it?” I ask hesitantly.
She grips her glass of tea with both hands. “I’m seeing someone.”
My mouth drops open.
“Really?” I ask, shaking my head. “That’s.. .” I’m about to say good,
but then I grow instantly worried that she’s just put herself in a similar
situation she was in with my father. She can see the worry on my face,
so she grabs my hands in both of hers.
“He’s good, Lily. He’s so good. I promise.”
Relief washes over me in an instant, because I can see she’s telling
the truth. I can see the happiness in her eyes. “Wow,” I say, not
expecting this at all. “I’m happy for you. When can I meet him?”
“Tonight, if you want,” she says. “I can invite him over to eat with
us.”
I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “Now’s not a good time.”
Her hands squeeze around mine as soon as she realizes I’m here to
tell her something important. I start with the better part of the news
first.
I stand up and remove my jacket. At first, she doesn’t think
anything of it. She just assumes I’m making myself comfortable. But
then I take one of her hands and I press it against my stomach.
“You’re gonna be a grandma.”
Her eyes widen and for several seconds, she’s stunned speechless.
But then tears begin to form. She jumps up and pulls me into a hug.
“Lily!” she says. “Oh my God!” She pulls back, smiling. “That was so
fast. Were you trying? You haven’t even been married for very long.”