11. Kennedy
11
KENNEDY
“ H i, is anybody home?” I call out, walking through the empty house. Trent and I pulled up in separate vehicles, mind you, since he’ll leave from here and go his way, and I’ll go mine.
“Out back, babe. Can hear Briar giggling,” Trent says, squeezing my hip gently. I’m a riot of nerves, having no idea how my mom is going to take this, how Asher is going to respond, how my stepdad will view me, and trying to keep this from Briar might prove impossible with the way people tend to gossip on social media.
“Oh.” Clearly, Trent has supersonic hearing, or I’m so involved in what’s about to happen I can’t see straight. The whole way here, I rehearsed what I’d say to my family, hoping to get it out in one fell swoop then sweep it under the rug.
“Babe, it’s going to be okay. Asher already knows. I’m sure he told your mom. All you have to do is talk like normal, yeah?” I close my eyes for a moment. He’s been my rock through all of this. While I’ve been busy trying to save myself, Trent has been standing right beside me, holding my hand.
“You’re right, yes. God, you’re a life saver. Have I thanked you lately?” He shakes his head.
“Yeah, only about a million times. Come on, let’s go see our girl.” I nod, get my shit together, and give myself a mental pep talk. He’s done the heavy lifting of this conversation. Asher is here, which means he’s talked to Mom, and Lennie will diffuse any situation. Though, I’d rather not add to her stress with being newly pregnant.
“Let’s,” I respond. My nerves slowly dissipate, yet beneath the happiness of having an us, we, together, there’s still a slight hesitance because of the unknown. Trent’s palm leaves my side, trails along my lower back, and he links his fingers with mine. We make our way through the house, looking at the candy lying on the kitchen counter, the crafts on the dining room table, and beautiful red roses in a vase. Pure Mike. Every Valentine’s Day, every birthday, and every anniversary, my mom gets the same flowers. During the rest of the year, he’ll randomly bring home daisy, lilies, or whatever he chooses when he’s out and about. He really is such a great man. I couldn’t have asked for a man better for her.
“Mommy!” Briar’s voice echoes through the house just as we open the back patio French doors. She barrels into me, and I barely have time to brace for impact before her arms wrap around my waist, her legs doing the same around mine. A game we like to play where I’ll walk with her through the house as she clings to me like a koala bear, and when I’m lying flat on my stomach on any given surface, she’ll lie right on top of me. My girl loves her mom and, god, do I love her.
“Baby girl, you look beautiful. Did you do your hair and makeup?” I ask when she tilts her head up. My hands have a mind of their own, picking her up like she’s still a toddler when Briar is, in fact, nearly seven years old.
“I did. Isn’t it gorgeous?” She drags the word out, a clear sign she’s been watching old movies with Mom again.
“Absolutely fabulous.” I hug her to my body and breathe her in for a moment. It won’t last long. There are too many people here, and she’s bound to bounce from person to person.
“Trent!” She moves from me and lurches herself toward the man standing beside me. He has no problem catching her. She wraps her arms around his neck, and everything inside me settles at the fact that my girl loves Trent as much as I do.
“Kenny, come here, my dear,” Mom says. She’s sitting by herself in the hanging two-seater swing where I’m sure Briar sat beside her before we made an appearance. There isn’t an ounce of anger in her voice. In fact, it’s the same tone she’d use saying hello on a normal basis. I take a deep breath. Trent’s hand squeezes my hip once. My eyes gravitate toward his, and he nods while Briar is chatting his ear off about what they did last night. I hear her talk about the dress and shoes, plus a small bouquet of flowers Gee-paw bought her. Yep, she calls Mike Gee-paw, and my dad is granddad. I can’t say that my relationship with him, or my daughter’s, is exceptionally close. His wife kind of ruins that. He also doesn’t come around near as much if she happens to be in town. When she’s visiting her kids, he’ll come over, and we’ll have a meal. He’ll try to make up with offering cash or bringing us a few things, and as much as I try to think positive, sometimes it’s hard because I’m just a girl who still needs her daddy.
“Hey, Mom.” I bend down to kiss her cheek. She does the same and pats the other side in an affectionate way.
“I’m not passing judgment, plus I can’t even say I’m surprised. All those years in dance class came in handy, huh?” I let out snort of laughter. She’s not wrong. I mean, after nearly eighteen years of some kind of formal dance training, one does not simply forget.
“You could say that. You’re not mad at me?” I ask.
“Kennedy Lynn, why would I be mad at you? You did what any single mom had to do, and yes, you have an army of friends and family, but I also understand you need to do things for yourself. And I can’t say I’m surprised. I noticed the subtle change in the shape of your curves, toned more than normal, and your calf muscles, my goodness, I always did envy them.” She presses her shoulder into mine. “I also have eyes of my own, noticed a thing or two. Do you care to elaborate, or will your brother be calling me later. I swear he’s more of a gossiper than you and I put together,” Mom finishes.
“Yes, please tell, because I can see three men over there in a very intense conversation.” Lennie plops down in a chair beside us. She’s pregnant with twins. In her first trimester and sporting a cute baby bump. Apparently, when there’s more than one baby, everything happens faster—you show more, your symptoms are stronger, and a pregnancy test will show right away with that usual faint line in the early days.
“Well, about that. Trent and I are absolutely a thing. He’s going to break it to Asher. Fingers crossed there’s no bloodshed between them or the others. Then we’re going to talk to Briar. She’s the most important deciding factor.” I could really use a drink right now, a mimosa, Bloody Mary, shot of tequila, really anything.
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with Briar,” Mom says, leaving me hanging.
“Your brother has eyes. He saw the two of you talking after his accident. He grumbled for all of two seconds, then sat on it. The wheels were spinning in his head. I knew enough to sit back and stay quiet, knowing he’d fold eventually. Later that night, he did.” I arch my eyebrows, wanting her to elaborate.
“And?” my mother interjects. She’s the literal best and who I’m like the most. Essentially, it’s Briar times three. My poor brother.
“Yes, inquiring minds must know this information,” I say in a teasing tone.
“Wow, you know, I can see where Briar gets her inquisitiveness from. Anyways, as I was saying, he folded like a lawn chair. I believe his exact words were: Trent is a man of his word, he does what he says he will, he loves his family, he loves his friends, he’s steadfast, and he’d be perfect for my sister .” I’m about ready to start sobbing all over again. It seems everywhere I turn, the men in my life are bringing me to tears in the best way possible.
“Asher is right, you know. I never did like Chris,” Mom says in a hushed voice. Very rarely does she speak badly about anyone, especially when Briar is near. “What? I am not wrong. She sees it, more than you know. She also talks to Mike about Chris.” I don’t ask for more information. That’s Briar’s story to tell, and I will never fault her for finding a source who doesn’t judge and will love her regardless of when she needs to vent.
“Have I mentioned how much I love Mike? He’s the best,” Lennie says.
“I lucked out, just like my girls here.” Mom nods to each of us.
“On that, I can wholeheartedly agree. Do you have time for a video call with Momma Catherine today? I have one final touch, and I want both of your opinions.” Asher and Lennie’s wedding date has been pushed up, and with my brother having a plethora of friends while Lennie has a smaller circle, they’ve decided to do away with having anyone standing up for them. They were both adamant about Briar being the flower girl, though, and as much as they’re trying to keep it small, it’s becoming bigger than Lennie could ever imagine.
“Of course. I’m so thankful you’ve included me on everything,” Mom says. The Johnson family is big, I’m talking there are six brothers, plus their wives, then there’s children, and the extended family with Amos and Genevieve. Not to mention the obvious, Lennie’s sister, Minnie. Yep, it’s fast approaching bigger by the minute. Lennie and Asher are taking it in stride, except she’s worrying about the money. My brother isn’t, and neither is our mom, plus I’m sure Mrs. Johnson won’t, either.
“One more thing, I talked to Mike about the whole car situation. We’d like to sell it to you for what you can afford. It’s paid off, has some age and miles on it, and we’d be trading it in within the next couple of years anyways.” Last night, I’d have said yes without hesitating; that was before Trent.
Trent with his stormy looks and panty-melting grins, his deep auburn hair, beard that’s been growing for a while now, and a heart bigger than the size of Texas. A body that would protect you and your daughter by any means necessary.
“Actually, I might have a car lined up.” I shrug my shoulders acting like it’s not a big deal.
“Whatever works for you, honey. The offer is there if something changes.” I didn’t get into the part about Gran and her diagnosis; it’s not my business to tell anyone until she’s damn good and ready. I’m sure once the news gets out, everyone will rally, organize a meal train, and spend as much time as possible with her.
I’m about to follow up her statement when Briar says, “Mommy, look.” She moves away from the table where she has more art supplies than a hobby store. There’s construction paper, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, and glitter glue. My family is slowly learning, after cleaning up numerous amounts of mess with the sparkly shit that seems to be impossible to wipe up, vacuum, or sweep.
“Watcha got there?” I ask, helping her climb into my lap. She’s holding a piece of bright red paper folded into a card. There are pink hearts cut out and glued to the front and star-shaped glitter written on the front.
“It’s a Valentine’s Day card. Open it.” Her wish is my command. Out of the corner of my eye, I see and feel the guys moving closer. Trent skirts his way behind Lennon, coming beside me to watch as I open the card.
“Oh, my baby girl.” My breath catches in my throat, hand going to my mouth. I look from the card to Briar to Trent. There on the card is a drawn version of the three of us.
“It’s you, me, and Trent,” she beams at me.
“How’d you know?” I ask, wondering if everyone knew Trent and I would get together besides, well, the two adults in a relationship.
“Silly mom, you always smile at him.” Mom awes, and Lennie has to wipe beneath her eyes.
“You’re right, I do.” Trent’s hands go to my shoulders, holding me when all I want to do is have his arms around Briar and me.
“There’s also the times when you whisper his name in your bedroom when you think no one can hear.” I close my eyes, mortification clearly written on my face.
“Alright, pipsqueak, what do you say we start cleaning up this mess while G-ma and Auntie Lennie make a quick call?” Asher saves the day.
“Okay, but I’m really happy you’re with Trent, Mommy. It’s the best Valentine’s Day present ever!” My family quickly disperse after, but Trent comes around and sits in the spot Mom vacated.
“So, you whispered my name, huh?” he asks with a whisper, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me in closer.
“You could say that.” The admission rolls off my tongue. Had I known Briar could hear me, I’d have bitten my lip, put a pillow over my head, or wait till she’s out of the house. I mean, I really did think she was asleep when I took care of myself. In fact, it was in the middle of the night or way early in the morning, if memory serves me right.
“You’re gonna have to be quieter tonight, babe.” My core aches at the reminder of him being inside me, so badly wanting him again. I go years and years without a man, using only my toys or my fingers, and now that I’ve had Trent, it’s like I’m in overdrive.
“Mommy, Trent, I’m ready to go home now.” Briar slams her body into the two of us, half her body on him, the other half on mine. I guess any worry I had about her accepting Trent into our life is unnecessary to even think about.
“Everything is picked up?” I ask her.
“Yep.” I watch as she lays her head on Trent’s, doing the complete opposite of heading home. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with Trent and Briar.