As if to answer her question, she heard the gurgling sounds of her niece, followed by a masculine voice. “Who’s the most adorable little girl in the whole wide world? You are.”
Erin gave her mother an“Are you kidding me?”glare, then turned just in time to see her father, Joel, step through the entrance, cradling a rosy-cheeked Rebecca and Jules following closely behind.
“Hi, Erin. How are you?” Joel asked the minute he spotted his daughter, a smile plastered on his lips.
“Hey,” was all she could muster—just like that, her whole day had been thrown out of kilter.
The air became tense, and even baby Becca’s gurgling had receded.
“How was your run?” Jules asked, trying to diffuse the thick atmosphere.
“It was fine,” Erin muttered, staring at her clasped hands on the counter.
“Everyone, please sit so we can enjoy this meal together,” Cora spoke in a commanding voice.
As the others sat, Erin stood.
“Are you okay,” Cora asked, her blue-gray eyes showing her concern.
“I am,” Erin answered. “I just lost my appetite. Please excuse me.” With that, she turned and left the kitchen, not sparing her father a glance. She took the steps two at a time up to the second floor and walked down the hall to the room she shared with Jules. She released a long breath, her shoulders deflating and her lips turning down into a frown.
How could her mother ever think it was a good idea to invite Joel into their home— the one they were forced to have without him? How could she believe that Erin would ever sit at the same table as him and act as if everything was okay? Shedding her running clothes, she walked into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. After adjusting the temperature of the water, she stepped under the warm spray allowing it to cascade over her head and down her body. She released a breath of relief as the water worked on the knots in her muscles. She stayed under the shower until her fingers started to prune. After wrapping a towel around her body and over her hair, she walked up to the mirror. She used the ball of her hand to wipe away the steam. She stared at her reflection, noting the sadness in her light blue eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek as she thought about the trajectory of her life. With a shake of her head, she left the bathroom and went to the closet to look for clothes.
There was a knock at her door after she’d put on some sweats. “Come in,” she called out.
The door opened, and Cora walked through. “Hey.” She smiled.
Erin tried to smile but failed miserably.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Cora asked, walking up to her daughter and touching her arm lightly.
Erin looked at her mother’s hand before looking at her with hurt eyes. “After all that Dad’s done to you, to Jules and me, how can you allow him back into your lives so easily?” she asked, her voice cracking at the end.
Cora’s blue-gray eyes shone with understanding. She walked Erin to the bed and sat her down before sitting beside Erin. She drew in her breath before releasing it and turning to look at her daughter. “What your father did was despicable. I’m not excusing it. But sometimes, it’s better to move past the hurt someone causes us to be free from the anger and other things it leaves behind. Time is too short to hold grudges, sweetie.” Her palm curved around Erin’s cheek as she looked at her with a mixture of compassion and hurt.
Erin realized that the conversation had switched, and they were now talking about Becky. “I miss her so much, Mom.” She sighed.
“Me too, sweetie.” Cora pulled Erin into a hug and rested her chin on top of her head. “Me too.”
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, and Erin relished the alone time that reminded her how much she craved this easy relationship that she once shared with her mother. Slowly, she raised her head from Cora’s chest and gave her an appreciative smile. Cora returned it.
“I love you,” Cora expressed.
“I know. I love you too.” Erin beamed.
Cora inclined her head in acknowledgment, then said, “Your father loves you too.”
“Mom,” Erin said in warning, looking ahead of her.
“Hear me out,” Cora rushed out. Erin looked at her mother from the corner of her eye. “I know it won’t be easy for you, but I want you to try to forgive him, at least for my sake…and for Rebecca’s.”
Erin stared at the adjacent wall for a few seconds. Then, finally, she sighed and turned to her mother. “I’ll try,” she appeased.
Cora’s arm came up to wrap around her daughter as she rocked them from side to side. “That’s my girl.”
A grin played on Erin’s lips.
ChapterSeven
