Page 63 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
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“You promised you’d be nice,” Josh said, putting his arm around his mom.
When it looked as if the board was leaning in Piper’s favor, Margo had excused herself to the conservatory. Josh knew how much this event meant to her, just as he knew how hard change was for her.
“It’s difficult to be nice when she shows up uninvited and derails something that is thirty years in the making.”
“She was invited. By Kitty, Darcy and myself.”
“But no one asked me.” Margo leaned into him. “This event used to be your dad’s favorite night of the year.”
“Actually, I think the first day of Oktoberfest was his favorite day of the year.” Josh laughed, but his mom stayed silent. “Mom, what is this really about?”
“You blindsiding me today.”
Josh blew out a breath. “I didn’t blindside you. I offered to help Piper secure a permit. Things went south. I owed it to her to fix things.”
“So you decided to support her scheme to take over my event?”
“She isn’t scheming to ruin your event, Mom. She’s looking for a way to help a few girls go to college. And before you say anything else about Piper, this whole thing was my idea.”
Margo clutched her heart dramatically. “Your idea? How could you not come to me first?”
“It all happened so fast. When Kitty was in favor of merging the two, I moved forward.”
“I knew Kitty was behind this,” she whispered through her teeth. “This whole thing used to be my committee. I started this committee. Your dad and I started this charity event. The only reason Kitty was elected board chair is because her husband’s the biggest donor for the auction and she said he’d pull his support otherwise.”
Josh steered her toward a small seating area at the far end of the conservatory. They both took a seat and looked out the glass walls at the skyline. The afternoon was so clear they could see snow topped peaks of Mt. Hood in the distance.
“I know it’s hard losing things that remind you of Dad.”
“We’ve just had so much loss,” his mom whispered. “When we started this event, it was a simple auction in our back yard to raise money for the Ackerman family.”
Andy Ackerman had been Josh’s childhood friend. They used to ride bikes at the park and get into trouble down by the pond. When Andy was eleven, he was diagnosed with leukemia. The medical bills alone forced his parents to take out a second on the house. Had it not been for Josh’s parents, they would have lost their home.
“Dad would be proud of what you’ve turned this event into.” He paused to give himself time to really consider how to broach the topic of the hour. He understood his mom’s need to control her world for fear of losing the things she cherished and love. But he’d also made Piper a promise. “You started this to help one family in need. What better way to honor Dad’s memory than to once again focus on a few people with whom we can make a huge difference?”
His mom turned to look at him, her eyes glassy with emotion. “Are you saying that because you believe it or because you want to impress your lady friend?”
“Can’t it be both?” he asked honestly, and Margo lifted a frail shoulder that was so weighted down by the grief she clung to.
“Your dad would have been by my side no matter my decision. Right or wrong.”
“Dad’s not here, Mom.” He took her hand in his. “And he wouldn’t want you to hurt like this. He’d want you to move on and have a happy life. Play with your granddaughter, look forward to Gage’s wedding, embrace your daughter-in-law. Let go of things that no longer bring you joy.” Hell, he sounded like Rhett.
“You kids spark joy. This event sparks joy. Anything I used to do sparks joy. I feel like everything’s changing,” Margo admitted. “Rhett’s either gone or with Stephanie. Gage is busy with his new family. Owen’s at the bar as much as your dad was. Now you’re missing family dinners.”
“I noticed you didn’t mention Clay,” he teased.
“You boys all know Clay is my favorite.” She didn’t sound guilty in the least. “The baby is always the favorite. It’s the law of birth order.”
“I thought the firstborn was your favorite.”
With a watery smile, she reached over and patted his cheek. “You’re a close second.”
“Your family is growing and changing. That’s what families do. That doesn’t mean they love each other any less. And the bigger we become, the more love there is to go around.”
“Your dad would have known what to do. He was the flexible one, always loving everyone so freely.” Margo hung her head, and Josh heard a sniffle. “I’m barely holding onto Benji’s memory as it is. And it seems you boys moved on in a flash.”
