Page 95 of Devil in Disguise
“Why ever not?”
“Because …” Their drinks were ready, and they picked them up, but Joan didn’t start walking. She just waited until Dyma continued. “Because she’s so happy now, but sort of fragile, too, because of Nick. She justgothappy, and I don’t want to wreck that. I guess I’m figuring out how much stuff she put on hold for me. She had dreams, and she couldn’t do any of them. This is her newlife.She didn’t want to watch the show. She said she didn’t need to know, so how can I bring it all up again? Shouldn’t she just get to have her life now and not be reminded?”
“So she doesn’t know how unhappy it made you,” Joan said.
“Well, no. But that wasn’t the only thing. I had finals, and roommate drama, and all that. So it wasn’t just the … the show.”
“Your father?” Joan asked. “What they said about that?”
Oh, boy. Anywhere but here. Anything but this. “Well, yeah. That wasn’t … great.”
Joan said, “Do you want to know what I think? Or do you just want to talk?”
“Wow,” Dyma said. “That’s an excellent question.”
“I had an excellent mother-in-law, and I’ve had lots of practice myself. So …”
“I want to know what you think. You’re Owen’s mom. Of course I want to know what you think.”
“All right, then, first, I think Owen’s all grown up and can make his own choices, and he’s a pretty smart guy. So let’s just say that one and set it aside for you to remember. And second, I bet your mom would want to know you’re hurting. You know what hurts a mom?”
“No.”
“If she can’t help. That just about kills a mom. And what helpsher is knowing shecanhelp. So whatever it is about that show that’s hurting so bad … do your mama a favor and tell her about it. Give her a chance to make it better.”
* * *
Dyma didn’t actually burstinto tears when she saw her mom and Nick waiting at baggage claim. Shedidstart running, though, and she threw her arms around her mom, which was possibly not the most adult response ever. As for her mom, she hugged Dyma tight, kissed her head, and said, “Hi, baby. Hi. Merry Christmas. I’m so glad toseeyou,” and laughed.
Dyma dropped down beside Nick, who was in a stroller. “Hey, baby brother,” she said. “Hey, buddy. Who’s my sweet baby?” and several other ridiculous things, just to see him smile. Which he did. She tickled his stomach, and he gurgled. He also waved his arms in a slightly more coordinated fashion and managed to focus his eyes on her face. She asked her mom, “Can I take him out?”
“Sure,” Jennifer said, from where she was hugging Annabelle. “So how was New Orleans? I wanted to come so badly, but it just seemed too long for Nick. I hear Owen’s parents were there. Did you guys have a good time?”
“Now, see, Mom,” Dyma said, lifting Nick out of the stroller and snuggling his sweet little self, in the awkward leg brace that made you want to cry, “I’ll never be as tactful as you if I live to be a hundred. Good job of notexactlyasking me about Owen’s parents and how that went, seeing as I’m probably nothing like what they had in mind, given that he’s already been divorced and had his heart broken and all. I’m pretty sure they think he should be falling in love with some horsey lady from the next county, or possibly a large-animal vet, but they were really nice anyway, huh, Annabelle?”
“Yeah,” Annabelle said. “They’re great.”
“Later on,” Dyma said, “I’ll tell you about coming downstairs for dinner the first night with my dress inside out.”
Annabelle started to laugh, and Dyma smiled happily and said,“Sonot how to make a first impression. I was late. I fell asleep, because it was a little, ah, emotional, getting back together with Owen. Also, I couldn’t find my underwear, so …”
“You’re kidding,” Annabelle said. “Seriously? That wholenight?”
“Yep. And, see? I just confessed that! To mymom!I was so embarrassed, I thought I’d die, and it’s already just a funny story. Maybe because Owen laughed like crazy when I told him. I’m going to end up like the Kegels lady in the café, with my inappropriate sharing and my crazy earrings, just blurting it all out.”
Annabelle asked, “What Kegels lady in the café?”
Dyma wanted to tell her. She really did. On the other hand, did you discuss the penis size of the man you loved? Sadly, she was afraid the answer was “no.” She sure didn’t want Owen sharing her vaginal difficulties with his brother. Sometimes, being considerate was really annoying. She said, “The day Mom took me up to school, there was this old lady giving me sex advice. In front of her daughter, which was awkward. Let’s just say sheshared.It was pretty funny. OK, I’m smooching Nick one more time, and then I’m going to go wait for the bags.”
“Owen’s coming over for dinner, by the way,” her mom said. “Since I admit I wanted you here for the first night. I missed you so much, baby. Which is making me want to cry, so I’m hurrying on and saying that Harlan says he’ll cook, and I thought we could decorate the tree, since I haven’t managed to get it done. It’s up, thanks to Harlan and Annabelle, and the lights are on it, and that’s all. I forgot how distracting babies are. My daily accomplishments when Harlan’s gone tend to be limited to, ‘Took shower,’ ‘Made sandwich,’ and possibly, ‘Got out of bathrobe.’”
“Cool,” Dyma said. “Annabelle and I will haul the boxes out for you. And, hey, time to make up new family traditions, I guess. What are yours, Annabelle? Iwillfight you, because ours are the best.”
There was a silence, and Dyma turned around to see Annabelle standing there looking … looking something.
Man, she wassonot her mom.
Jennifer asked, “Was that insensitive of us?” See? She’d said “us,” too, when it was really just Dyma.
