“Still the same, not feeling too great.”
“Did you take her to the doctor like I told you?”
I rolled my eyes, “yes I did. I am capable of taking care of my own child.”
“Well, what did they say?” She said ignoring my jab.
“Just that it was probably a cold. He took swabs for the flu and strep, and both came back negative.”
“That’s good at least,” she said more to herself than to me.
“Do you think she will be better by next weekend?”
“I don’t know Mom,” I answered knowing why she asked.
My younger sister’s sixteenth birthday was going to be held the following weekend. Where we lived, your sixteenth birthday was akin to a coming out into society with southern bell dress and all.
Alexa was the daughter Mom always wished for. With eleven years between us, we weren't that close to each other. That being said, I would have still liked to go to her party even if it was going to be a tafia barf fest.
“I plan on it, but if Em is not feeling well probably not.”
“Maybe you could just leave her with your friend, whats her name again?”
“Savannah.”
“Yeah, that one,” Mom affirmed.
Savannah was a born and raised California girl. She moved to Georgia when she was seventeen with her mother and new step-father. Though Savannah had stayed in the southern state, nothing could change her from her long hair, hippie, granola eating ways. This, of course, deemed her ‘that one’ in my mother’s eyes like she was more related to aliens then human beings.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving Em if she isn’t feeling well.”
You could just come for the party. It's only a two-hour drive. You could come up for the party and be home in time to put Emma to bed.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said not wanting to argue over the matter.
“Your sister only turns sixteen once,” she guilted, apparently not letting it drop.
“I know Mom.”
“I just hate that you are so far away. I wish you were closer, then maybe you and Alexa would be better friends.”
“It’s not like I am trying to avoid it because I don't want to be around my sister. My kid is sick. What do you expect me to do?”
“Hmmm,” she huffed in her that’s what I get for having a kid outside of wedlock kind of way.
I was seriously reconsidering my thoughts about moving back home. The one conversation had cured me of ever wanting to live near her again.
None the less, I figure it wouldn’t hurt just to put my feelers out.
“Hey Mom, I was kinda thinking about maybe moving back up that way actually?”
“You were?” She said just as surprised as I was that the words actually left my mouth.
“Yeah. I mean, you guys are Em’s only grandparents maybe she should be closer to you.”
“You know we aren’t her only ones,” Mom said pointedly.
She never liked the fact that I wouldn't come out and say who the father way. I am sure she guessed it was Hawk. After all, I was in a two-year relationship with him before he left.