Page 81 of Damien
Sighing, I know I may as well tell her the story. “I think you’re gonna like her, Mom…” And before I know it, I tell Mom everything. From the first moment I saw her in the diner, up to finding out she has a daughter, and the basics of these past few months. She’s my mom, so I leave a lot of the personal details out—but she gets the gist of things.
I love my mom more than anything when her only question is, “Tell me more about Julia.”
“Mom, she’s quick as a whip and always calls me on my shit—whether she knows it or not. She’s so much like Vanessa in that she’s smart, independent, and beautiful from the inside out. The two of them have been through a lot in a short time, but you’d never know it for as well adjusted as they are.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story, but Vanessa and her twin brother Vince lost both their parents right after Julia was born. Ever since, it’s basically been the three of them against the world.”
“Wow, that’s something.” I can tell she wants to ask more but somehow refrains.
“Mom, I know this is all still new—so I don’t want to say too much to everyone, but she’s special—and so is her daughter. You’ll see.”
“Dame. I have no doubt if you’re bringing them around our crazy crew. I’ll do what I can about your brothers—hopefully, they’ve gained some maturity with age… but this is still the first woman you’ve brought around… since… well….” She pauses for a moment and immediately, I know where her mind’s gone.
Quickly, I spit out, “She’s nothing like Amber, Mom. Vanessa’s everything Amber wasn’t and then some. Vanessa may be a few years younger than me, but she’s got a strong head on her shoulders and knows what she wants out of life—and the truth is—she’d do it fine with or without me.”
“Okay… Okay… calm down.” She laughs into the phone. “I only want to see you happy, Dame. If you’re happy, I’m happy for you. Now I’ve gotta go see what trouble your dad is getting into. You tell both Vanessa and Julia I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
After Mom and I get off the phone, I can’t help but smile. She’s still an expert at pulling any secret—big or small—out of me effortlessly. It’s not like I have anything to hide, but Mom has a way of knowing all the same.
Pulling into Vanessa’s driveway, my eagerness to see her outweighs my nerves. I barely get the truck in park when the front door flies open, and Jules sprints out to the porch.
Hopping out of the truck, Jules rushes toward me and flings herself in my direction for a welcome hug. This is the first time she’s been this ecstatic to see me, but I’ll take it. She has that effect on me, too. Bending to welcome her, I hoist her to my height. “Hey, Jules, you ready for a road trip?”
Nodding fervently. “Yep! Momma packed me a swimsuit and says we’re going on a ferry?” This comes out as a question but before I can answer, she asks, “Did you grow up on an island? I get to meet your mom and grandma, right?”
Shaking my head, I do my best to answer her rapid-fire questions.
“Yes, we’re going on a short ferry ride and no, I grew up outside of Leavenworth. My grandparents lived on the island, so I visited them every summer and on holidays.”
“What’s it like?”
Needing clarification, I ask, “What’s what like?”
“Having a big family. You have two brothers… and a sister… I’ve always wanted a big brother, but Momma says it doesn’t work that way.”
“No, I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. More than likely, you could get a little brother, so I hate to break it to you—you’ll always be the oldest.”
Though I suppose if Vanessa were to meet someone with older children, it could happen.
Fuck.
I tap that thought down as soon as it surfaces.
I’m not thinking about her being with anyone else but me.
“Dame…. Dame…” Julia waves a hand in front of my face. “Did you hear me?”
Busted.
“Uh… sorry. Can you repeat that?”
Exasperated, she repeats, “I said…” she draws out the way her mom does when Jules hasn’t been paying attention. “Do we get to ride in your truck?”
Setting her down to the ground, I say, “That’s the plan. Should we go see if your momma needs help, so we can hit the road?”
As if we’ve done it a million times, Jules clasps my hand in hers and leads me to her mom. In this moment, I’m certain Vanessa’s not the only one I’m falling for.
