Page 70 of Home in the Country
“We’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Leaning in, he places the sweetest kiss on my lips before pulling back and searching my eyes. “You’re gonna have fun, I promise.”
“Hmm,” I sigh as he steals another quick kiss and then straightens.
“Goodnight, ladies.”
“Night, Otto, have fun!” Marlee calls and then rolls up the window.
“Okay, how are we on tears? Do we need to cry? Do we need to let it out?” Her gaze bounces between me and the road. “The goodbye kiss was a nice touch.”
“No crying.”
“Whoop!” She fist pumps not unlike my son and then turns up “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift. “Mandatory singalong, girl!”
Marlee puts the windows down, and something about the wind in my hair and her unabashed energy has me singing the words I’ve only sung in the privacy of my home.
It’s…freeing.
Pulling up in front of her house, I see that all the lights on the first floor are on, and a few more cars than I expected litter the driveway.
“Marlee, what is this?”
“It’s your meltdown party!”
“Mywhat?” I don’t mean to screech the last word but it can’t be helped.
“Girl,”—she takes my hand as she turns to face me—“you have beenrunning yourself ragged.You’re super mom, no doubt, but you’ve neglected the fact that there are people here that love you and consider you family and wanna help. You are not a burden; you are family and we love you.”
“Now I’m cryin’.”
“And apparently gettin’ your accent back too.”
My laugh comes out as a cough while I try and wipe the tears from my face. “I can’t with you.”
She shrugs. “I’ve heard worse.”
Climbing out of the car, we walk up the steps to the porch as the door flies open.
“Howdy, y’all!” Isla shouts.
“Too much.” Marlee is cackling as we cross the threshold and are instantly handed a margarita. Cheyenne drops a lei around our necks, and I’m a second closer to bursting into tears again.
“Last Name” by Carrie Underwood plays from the speakers, and the spread of snacks on the island has my mouth hanging open. It’s literally the ultimate smorgasbord of binge foods.
Cheyenne’s mom, Gwen, wraps me in a hug. “You call me anytime if you need help with that sweet boy.” She pushes me back but keeps her hands firmly on my shoulders. “Or if you need to talk. I know a thing or two about bein’ a single mom.”
“Thank you,” I whisper before I’m swept into Flora Thayer’s arms.
“Oh sweet girl, how are you holdin’ up?”
“I’m exhausted,” I say as I sag into her embrace.
“And your mama and daddy are still visiting your sister?”
I nod against her without lifting my head. “Seriously, how can you play with cars wrong? Today he threw a fit about eating a banana for a snack, but he’s begged for one literallyevery single day this week.”
Her shoulders shake and then she lets out a belly laugh.
“Get used to it; kids are brutal. They’re learnin’ and dreaming and we’re just along for the ride. Don’t take it too personally though—what’s wrong today may be right tomorrow.”
