gets migraines a lot and she thinks it’s going to turn into that
and she’s trying to prevent it, so she was wondering if I could
watch Tildy tonight. I know you were supposed to come over,
but I can’t imagine that you’d want to—”
“I’d love to.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! If it’s okay with you and with your sister, then
absolutely.”
The line crackles as Adley breathes into the phone.
“Oh my gosh. I totally forgot how much you love kids! I was
so worried about thinking that you’d be really angry with me
for cancelling and really disappointed and that you wouldn’t
want to come over because Tildy would cramp a date night
like you wouldn’t believe and I didn’t even think…”
“It’s okay. I’d love to come. If you want me to. If not,
then I didn’t mean to invite myself over.”
“No! I mean, yes. I want you to come over. I’d love it
if you hung out with us. Tildy would love that too, I’m sure.”
“Is your sister okay with it?”
“You mean is my sister okay with me? Does Tildy
know that I’m a lesbian and that I have girlfriends and not
boyfriends? Yes, she knows. And yes, Mandy is fine with that.
Tildy’s known since she was little, so it’s normal for her.”
“Okay. I just didn’t want to – I don’t know – make
things difficult for you. I’ll be over shortly then.”
“Okay. We can order something in, or I can make
something. My special macaroni and cheese. It’s quite
gourmet.”
I glance at myself in the mirror and I realize that my
knuckles are completely white on the hand holding the phone