My Only One

“You’re such a prude, my dear. Please tell me he isn’t so shy with you, darling.”

Dally flushes. “Um…I…ah.”

“Luna, sweetheart, you’re embarrassing the child,” announces Dad. He walks in and, unfortunately, I catch him patting my mom’s bunny-clad ass before I can turn away.

“I thought nightmares only happened while you were sleeping,” I mutter under my breath as I walk into the kitchen.

At my side, Dally giggles. “It could be worse. We could’ve been undressed.”

“I wouldn’t have answered the door.”

Dally rubs my shoulder. “It’s fine. I love your parents. They’re always so cute together.”

I glance over to see the two of them sitting down at the table with my mom perched on my dad’s lap. As a kid, I found it slightly cringey how they were always all over one another but I guess it could be worse. They could hate each other and be fighting all the time. I carry the cups of coffee over and set them on the table.

“Sit down. Sit down.” Mom motions for us to join them. She leans over and in a low, serious voice says, “I have some interesting news—”

“Your mom has been investigating—” my dad interrupts.

“I’ve been looking into things as any concerned mother would,” she finishes.

“Oh, Mom,” I sigh.

“I’m looking out for you. You’re my baby.”

“I was born five minutes after Star.”

“Like I said, my baby.” She tries to lift her coffee mug but her paws are too big and cumbersome so my dad does it for her, holding the cup steady while she takes a sip.

I glance toward my dad, who is looking at Mom as if she’s the most beautiful being in the room, like the light starts and ends with her. Is that how I look at Dally? I turn to see her staring at my parents, too, before her eyes slide over to meet mine. Her cheeks turn pink. Yeah, she’s thinking the same thing. Under the table, my hand finds hers. Someday we’re going to have kids and we’ll still be disgustingly infatuated with one another and I fucking love that. I squeeze her hand hard before threading my fingers through hers. Turning back to Mom, I say, “I’m all ears.”

“Before you get upset, know that I do this only because I love you.”

I take a bracing gulp of my coffee. Dally tightens her fingers against mine.

“I went over to the house of that man—the one who shot you and he’s—”

“Dead. I know,” I say.

“I told you he would go over there,” my dad says.

“Oh. Why didn’t you call and let me know?” Mom sits back with a disappointed look on her face.

“I didn’t think of it.”

“I guess it’s a relief. You won’t have to go through the trial and all. Here—” She gestures for my dad. “You might as well have these.”

Dad tosses a few digital photos out onto the table. They are of the front door of the widow’s house.

“I’m surprised I didn’t catch you. I must’ve gone over after you left.”

“You’re losing your touch.” I joke about how she was once a terrible private investigator. It’s how she met Dad.

“That may be so. I wasn’t even able to access your medical records. They’re so strict now. And suspicious. I told them that I was your mother. I even showed them my driver’s license.” She makes a disgruntled face.

“There, there. I’ll buy the hospital for you,” my dad consoles her.

“I don’t think that would make it legal for Mom to read the medical records of patients.”

Dad glares at me. “She’s only going to read yours and Star’s.”

“Obviously,” Dally adds with a laugh.

“Oh ho, so you’re going to gang up on me, too,” I tease.

“I have to stand by your mother. Women’s solidarity.” She holds up her palm, which my mom promptly slaps.

“Better get your mom some coffee cake,” Dad advises.

“I don’t have any coffee cake.”

“I brought some from your aunt’s. It’s in the car. Bring in the basket, too. It’s for Dally.”

“How did you know that Dally was here—” I hold up a hand. My mom and dad literally met because she was stalking him so I shouldn’t ask dumb questions. I know the answer already. “Wait. You don’t have to answer that.”

I push away from the table and as I’m walking away, I hear my mom say, “So when’s the wedding? I was thinking we could have it at the estate. I’ve been wanting the grounds to be redone and this would be the perfect excuse. Mack’s father got a gift of swans the other day. Can you imagine? Who gives swans? Anyway, I was thinking—”

I go out to the car with a smile on my face. I knew my family liked Dally but hearing them welcome her into the fold with open arms gives me a lot of pleasure. She’s loved—not just by me but my whole family. I grab the coffee cake and speed back inside. Now I just need to get rid of my parents so I can get to work on starting my own family. I need my own set of kids to annoy.