“We lied because we knew this would be your reaction,” Vivien said. “Not because we understand anything. Certainly not because we comprehendwhywe can’t be friends with Kate and Tessa. They are wonderful women, Mom. Jo Ellen just got here for the event, so I haven’t had a chance to get to know her, but Tessa has taught Nolie to read.”
She started to respond but the last word hit and she did a double take. “Excuse me?”
“She did.”
“Nolie said something about being a flower girl, not reading.”
“Because she didn’t even know what Tessa was doing. Tessa has dyslexia, too, and she knew exactly how to help Nolie. And it worked. Nolie’s passed the practice test to go to third grade.”
Maggie stared at her, clearly not sure how to process this news.
“And Kate?” Vivien continued. “Well, Kate has brought a joy out in Eli that I haven’t seen since Melissa died. He’s happy and she’s…kind of perfect for him.”
Her mother inched further away, gaping in disbelief.
“And Kate’s also worked side by side with Jonah. She’s encouraged him to stay here and apply to a Culinary Arts program at a local college in order to be equipped to be a father. You’re about to have a great-grandchild, by the way, and if it weren’t for Kate, I’m not sure Jonah would do this or ever know that baby.”
Her jaw nearly hit her chest. “Excuse… What… Oh my…”
“And Lacey’s finally found her career, working for Tessa, doing event management. She’s shining and that’s what today is all about.”
Maggie visibly rooted for words that weren’t coming easily. “Well,” she huffed. “Y’all have been busy.”
“What we’ve been is…very happy.”
Maggie’s gaze was still direct, but Vivien could have sworn there was the slightest thaw in her icy eyes.
“That’s…something,” Maggie whispered. “Jonah and Lacey and…Nolie. A baby and a job and…she’s reading?”
An unexpected tendril of hope curled around Vivien’s heart, along with a realization. She was tough on her own kids, yes, but Maggie’s weakness was and would always be her grandchildren.
Maybe the way to handle this woman wasn’t to fight her fire with more fire. Maybe it was to gently remind her whose happiness was at stake here.
At least Vivien hoped so. She took a deep breath and found the nerve to power on.
“You see, Mom,” she said softly, “we chose to reconnect with Kate and Tessa, and it’s been so incredibly gratifying. Whatever happened between you and Dad and the Wylies doesn’t affect us. We are another generation and we don’t want to be saddled with that history.”
“You were saddled with it for the thirty years you didn’t have a father.”
“But that’s not their fault,” Vivien insisted. “Should they bear the burden of what Artie did? Especially because none of us really know what happened.”
Maggie blinked at her, her keen mind processing this information, quiet for a long time.
“I still want everyone to leave,” she finally said. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but?—”
“No.”
“Pardon me?” The edge was back in her voice.
“You heard me, Mom. You cannot pounce in here and ruin something that’s important to a lot of people.”
She closed her eyes, the slightest slouch of defeat in her shoulders. But when a dog barked, she sat straight up.
“Pitty? Is that you, Pittypat?”
Instantly, the tiny furball shot up the stairs, yapping with joy. She flew into Maggie’s lap, her little pink tongue flipping all over her owner’s face, her tiny tail knocking side-to-side with unabashed joy.
“Oh, my baby girl,” Maggie said, clutching the dog to her cheek. “Did you miss me so very much?”
