She snuggled into the embrace, soaking up the flow of love and acceptance. “I missed you.”
Her father pulled back and his eyes landed on Eli. “Mr. Alexander. Thank you for keeping my baby girl safe. I hope you won’t be taking her away from us again anytime soon.”
“Well, about that…”
“So, you’ve finally decided to come visit. We’ve been worried sick.”
They all turned around. Henrietta stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. Kay’s heart sank. She knew her mother’s body language, and she wasn’t giving off a forgiving vibe.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Things have been really hectic.”
Kay handed Hope to her father. He carried her into the kitchen and Eli followed with a sympathetic smile.
Kay sucked in a breath to steady herself. “Actually, I needed some time away. From you.”
Her mother took a step forward, her eyes wide. “Kaylee! What an awful thing to say.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s true. For a long time, I’ve tried to be smarter, thinner, just better so I could finally make you proud. After all this time, I’ve realized that it’s never going to happen. I didn’t go to college, I got pregnant and embarrassed you in front of all your church friends, and I’m singing pop music. But I’m proud of my life. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned from them, too.”
Henrietta crossed to the couch and sat down. “I’m a horrible mother.”
“I didn’t say that. I just think you want something from me that will never happen. You wanted a perfect daughter. That’s not me. That will never be me. And I’m okay with that.”
She was shocked when her mother pulled her into a hug.
“You are perfect. Exactly as you are. I’m the one who is a failure for not letting you know that.”
“Mom? But you always seemed so disappointed that I wasn’t singing in the choir anymore.”
“I wasn’t thrilled that you went
into popular music because I know how rough that industry is. I recorded a few albums, so I know what it’s like. They demand your all and then if you don’t live up to their expectations, they’ll grind you up and spit you out. I was just worried for you, Kay. I didn’t want them to break your spirit the way they broke mine.”
Stunned, Kaylee allowed her mom to pull her closer. For years, she’d thought her mom’s criticisms were because she was disappointed in her. Not because she was worried for her.
“And I was upset when you got pregnant because I wanted to string that no-good man up by his gonads for how he treated you. I was disappointed because I want the best for you, Kay, not a lifetime of struggle. Of course, you proved me wrong as usual because you didn’t struggle, you thrived. I am truly awed by you.”
Kay sat back, stunned. “I never knew. I guess we could both do better at communicating what we really feel. I’m sorry I didn’t call. I hate to think of you being worried. I was safe the whole time. Eli would never let anything happen to me.”
Henrietta wiped the tears from her eyes and stood. “Yes, well, I’d like to hear what happened from him. I think he has some explaining to do.” She marched into the kitchen where Eli was standing next to her father.
“Now, I’d like to hear directly from you, young man, about what happened. You show up on our doorstep one day and then the next thing we know, our daughter is gone for a month. I’d like an explanation.”
“Mom! I already told you everything.” Kay groaned. She walked over next to Eli, as if she could shield him from her mother’s wrath. It seemed their mother-daughter truce didn’t extend to being nice to her man.
“I am so sorry about this,” she whispered to Eli. She supposed she couldn’t expect her mother to break all her old habits. All things in good time, she thought. But at least they’d made a start to patching up their relationship.
He pulled her closer and grinned. “It’s fine.”
“Now, pumpkin, your mother has a point. We’re your parents. We can’t help but worry. I didn’t protect you from that last fella, but I mean to do so now. I think a man who’s got nothing to hide shouldn’t mind answering a few questions.”
“I agree,” Eli added.
Kay turned to glare at him. “Whose side are you on?”
“Yours. Always.” Then he turned to her parents. “I have no problem answering any questions you have. I love your daughter and I’m not going anywhere. I want to marry her, if she’ll have me. I hope we’ll have your blessing.”
Henrietta covered her mouth with her hands. “Marry her? Well, this is unexpected.”