What Happened That Night

24

The next day, I tried to go to work, but I couldn’t do it. Fortunately, I’d built up several personal days, so I was able to stay home.

As I sat at the kitchen table, drinking my second cup of coffee, Brandy called. We talked for several minutes, and she told me she was sorry for everything I’d been through.

Her kindness touched me, giving me hope that everything would be okay in the end.

After saying good-bye to Brandy, I thought about calling Lia. If she was working, she wouldn’t take a personal call. I’d have to leave a voice mail, which might be easier than actually speaking with her. And maybe that was for the best.

She’d been so upset yesterday. Everything I said only made matters worse. Maybe with time she’d forgive me and we could talk about it.

This was my thought process when I picked up my phone to leave a message on her voice mail. But then I thought about something Harriet once told me about my superpower being the ability to keep people at arm’s distance.

Is that what I’d done with Lia? If so, I didn’t want to do that anymore.

Determined to make things right, I baked a batch of Lia’s favorite muffins and drove to her apartment. I honestly expected that she’d thank me for the muffins before using work as an excuse to dismiss me. To my shock, she asked if I wanted to come in and stay for coffee.

We sat at the kitchen bar with her view of downtown Edmonds. The morning had started out gray and dreary, but it looked as if the sun was trying to peek through the clouds.

“I know I said all the wrong things yesterday,” I began. “I never meant to hurt you. I hope you know that.”

“I do. I was upset, but talking to Papa and Brandy helped me sort through everything.” To my surprise, Lia reached out and placed her hand on my arm. “I can’t imagine what you went through, Mom. That must’ve been so difficult. You—”

Her voice cracked. With tears in her eyes, she shook her head. “You must’ve felt so alone. So, thank you.”

“Thank you?” I swallowed back the lump in my throat. “Thank you for what?”

“For giving me life. For...” Smiling, she swiped at her tears. “For giving me such a wonderful childhood.”

“Oh, honey.” I took both her hands in mine. “You have given me so much joy. I can’t imagine a day without you. While I wish things had been different, I wouldn’t have wanted any baby but you. You are perfect. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a daughter.”

* * *

A few days later,Harriet and I were working in the library after school. Book fair week with our Meet the Author event was just a few short weeks away. Thankfully, we’d found a local author who was thrilled to visit our school.

“Do you have time to see what I’ve done?” Harriet asked.

“Of course.” I set aside my own work and followed her back to the nonfiction section where she’d set up shop. Using her electronic cutting machine, she’d created all kinds of sea animals with colorful paper: turtles, seahorses, dolphins, and fish.

“These are wonderful, Harriet.” I picked up a cutout of an adorable whale and his mother. “How sweet.”

“I thought we could hang these along the wall going down the stairs to the library.”

“Yes, that’s a perfect place, but let’s also save some for the bulletin board.”

“Oh, I can make more.” Her eyes danced with wild excitement.

I glanced at our dwindling supply of paper, knowing it had to last the entire school year.

“I’ve got more paper at home. There was a huge sale, so I’m well-stocked.”

“You shouldn’t spend your own money on supplies for the library.”

“I don’t mind.”

I knew she didn’t, and I knew she could afford it. Still, I didn’t like my volunteers spending so much of their own money on school projects. Over the years, I learned it often created resentment, despite everyone’s initial good intentions.

“How about we stop for now, and tomorrow, we can reevaluate,” I suggested.