Page 136 of Puck with Karma
Her words shouldn’t surprise me. But I do have to admit that I had my hopes up for this meeting. I also thought that her nervousness when she walked in showed vulnerability and the willingness to reconnect with her children.
I hate to admit, if only to myself, that I am disappointed in how this is going.
“As far as apologies go,” she continues. “This is by far the worst attempt to one.”
My eyes widen in shock, and even dad turns to look at her as if she sprouted a second head.
“Debra,” he tries to get her attention.
“No,” she cuts him off. “You raise children and expect them to treat you with respect.”
Her voice cuts through the chaos in my head, and I am grateful for my brother when he reaches for my hand and squeezes it in support.
“Instead, they take your name and throw it away like garbage.” She gives Bran a pointed look as she refers to him refusing to use our family name after he left home.
“I took onyourfather’s name,” Bran smirks at her. “I’d have thought it meant something to you.”
“Yes,” she snaps at him, voice shaky with anger. “It’s been a constant reminder for all these years that the only reason you were able to leave was because of him and all the money he left for you.” She then turns her icy glare my way. “And same goes for you. I would have never expectedyouto bring so much shame to the family name.”
With that she stands up and looks at my father.
“We are leaving,” she declares. “This was a waste. At least we have one son who still cares about our values.”
Her statement is just smoke and mirrors. Our oldest brother, Jonathan, barely talked to them last I was home. I can’t imagine things are better between them.
“Truly a shame,” she looks down her nose at both me and Bran, making me wonder why she even made the effort to come and meet with us.
“It is a shame,” Bran agrees with her.
The tone of his voice is softer, and I feel so grateful to have him in my life.
“And it will be more of a shame,” he continues, “when you won’t be able to get to know your grandchildren because of it.”
Mom’s eyes fly to me, scanning my body, or at least as much as she can see of it since I am still sitting down. Meanwhile, I turn my head to stare at Bran.
“I’m not pregnant…”
His face breaks into the biggest grin.
“Mallory is.”
My eyes fill with tears in an instant. My brother is going to be a dad. And I am going to be the best aunt that kid could ever have.
“Congratulations,” mom’s voice cuts into our moment. “I hope this baby treats you the same as you treated us.”
Bran’s face never changes, happiness just pouring out of him.
“I really hope so as well.”
Mom freezes in the doorway, a bewildered look on her face. She turns around and walks out. Dad finally takes pity on her and stands up from his chair.
He takes a moment, his eyes going from me to my brother and back. I swear I see a glimmer of pride in there somewhere.
“You’re better off.”
His words are soft and at complete contradiction with the actions of his wife. I want to jump and give him a hug, but I hesitate for too long.
“Be happy,” he continues. “And take care of each other.”
