Page 33 of Hitched

“It’s even harder, you know, that she doesn’t understand about me.”

I’m careful with my words. “About you being gay?”

She nods. “Aye. You have no idea how difficult it is to raise a child like this. Alone. I thank God every day that I love her as much as I do, Laney. Because if I didn’t, I truly don’t know how I would be hanging on.”

Peg comes back into the house, carrying a drawing in her hand, pulling the ball of emotion out of my throat as she smiles at me. “Here, miss Laney. I made this for you.”

It’s a beautiful rendition of her version of my name, spelled ‘lainee’, in colorful little bubble letters. For a three-year-old, she seems to know enough letters, surprising me. “Gosh, you are so smart, Peg! I can’t believe you know all those letters!”

“Mama taught me them.” She smiles. “She taught me all of them, so when I start school soon, I’ll be the smartest kid in the class.”

“Oh, I have no doubt, you will be.” I wrap my arms around her and give her a big hug. Her little body cradles around me like we’re some sort of kindred spirits.

“Oh, gosh, I didn’t even get you your tea.” Gretchen says, chiding herself.

“It’s no bother.” I chuckle.

“Can we bake some cookies, mama?” Peg asks. “So you can give miss Laney tea and cookies?”

“Well, I don’t know how long she can stay, Peg. You better ask first.”

I smile. “I can stay.”

Her little face lights up like a Christmas tree. As we bake the cookies together, my phone rings with a FaceTime call, and it’s Caleb. “Oh, shoot. My hands are all covered in batter.” I chuckle, wiping them off. As I answer, Caleb’s face is as bright as Peg’s.

“Hi, love. Gosh, you’ve grown.” Caleb says to Peg.

“Hi, Caleb!” She waves. “When are you going to come see me? Those flowers we planted are all grown up now!”

He chuckles. “Soon, sweetheart. I’m really busy over here in the states right now, but I promise you, the minute I can come visit, I will, okay?”

“Okay.” She says, in the cutest little singsong voice.

“How are you doing, Gretchen? Did you get that water heater fixed?”

“He should be here soon, actually. Thank you so much for your help. I’m so scared of scalding Peg again.”

“Don’t mention it.” He waves. “As soon as I can come, I’ll bring you some more money, until you get back on your feet.”

“I didn’t expect the layoff, you understand.” Gretchen explains. “The restaurant hasn’t been pulling in as much business since that other restaurant opened up the street. I’d been putting away money and all, but I spent it on groceries.”

“That’s okay, Gretchen. I know that you’re trying your best.”

I pull up the picture that Peg made for me. He looks at it and addresses Peg playfully. “Excuse me, lass, but where’s mine?”

She giggles. “After I make cookies, I’ll make you one.”

“I’ll be calling again later to make sure.” He says, again playfully. “And what’s this I hear about cookies? Do I get any?”

“Fly on over here and we’ll give you some.” I tell him, taunting him, good-naturedly.

“I would if I could.” He says. “But soon.” I’m not sure what story he told her, about why he couldn’t come himself to give her the money, so I don’t press. “Keep in touch.” He says. “Hugs for Peg.”

“Hugs for Caleb.” Peg says, as if by rote. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He hangs up and Peg helps her mama put the cookies into the oven, and she goes back outside to draw Caleb a picture.

“He’s been coming around since just after she was born.” Gretchen volunteers. “Wonderful with her. My mama thought for a while that he was her father. I never told her the truth, of course, it would break her heart.”

“So, she thinks that Caleb is her father? You never told her?”

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