Chapter Fifteen
Daisy
When Brody came home last night, he didn’t say much. I didn’t ask him to. He just crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around me.
He explained everything this morning, and now the three of us are on the way to see Jackson’s biological mother. Now I understand what Lexie was talking about when she handed me that letter on the beach. This is definitely going to shake the club.
“Are you going to tell Jackson?” I ask, reaching behind me to hand Jack another cracker. I cannot keep this kid full.
“Well, I guess that’s up to Maggie, but I want to give my two cents. Rachel gave me the first letter. She wanted me to meet Jackson’s mom. She trusted me with the decision.”
My husband rubs his forehead.
“Why do you think she chose you?”
He stares at the road. “I thought it was because Jackson’s like a brother to me, but on the way home last night I came to another conclusion. I think it’s because I can relate. My mom was killed in a car accident when I was just a baby.”
I reach over and rub his leg. “You think she thought you would put yourself in Jackson’s shoes?”
He looks at me and then back at the road. “That’s exactly what I did. I would do anything to have my mom here with me.” My husband looks at our son in the rear-view mirror. “I would love to see my mom with Jack.”
“Even if she hid from you for your entire life?”
“She had her reasons, and I think Jackson will understand. I’m not saying there won’t be bumps in the road, but in the end, I think it will be worth the journey.
It’s obvious she loves him, so they at least have a smooth foundation.
If it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that can happen? They both go their separate ways.”
“What’s she like?” I ask, excited to meet this woman.
His smile widens. “Not going to lie. She’s pretty cool. She’s like, I don’t know, one of those wise women who lives in the woods and talks to fairies and shit.”
I laugh.
“You’re going to love it,” he says, pulling off to the side of the road. “We’ll have to walk from here.”
He takes the diaper bag from me as I unbuckle Jack.
“We have to hop the fence too.”
I look over my shoulder. “You could have mentioned that sooner. Everyone’s going to see my undies.”
The grin on his face makes me blush. “You know that’s my favorite dress. No way was I letting you take it off. Besides, there’s no one out here to see but me.”
“Mmhmm,” I hum, rolling my eyes. I tip our son into his arms. “Well, there’s not much to see. I’m in my Spanx.”
“Ugh …” he groans, following me to the fence. “What happened to the days of thongs?”
I point to him and his mini-me. “You two happened.”
I’m feeling pretty good about my climbing skills as Brody hands my son down to me. He’s giggling. “Are Mommy and Daddy being silly today?” I ask, tickling him under his chin.
“Daddy,” he says, reaching for Brody as soon as he’s on the ground.
The boy loves his father. I try not to let it hurt my mommy heart. I know he loves us both, but there is no doubt he likes spending time with Brody. I can’t say that I blame him. I love spending every second with Brody too.
Brody hands me the bag and then lifts Jack up on his shoulders. Jack instantly reaches for the leaves on the trees, trusting his father to keep him balanced. We walk together, enjoying the sun that peeks out every now and then.
“It’s really beautiful here,” I say, slipping my fingers through the back of my husband’s belt loop. “I should have brought my paints.”
“Well, if things work out, maybe will be up here again.”
I take a deep breath as the house comes into view. “Oh, oh I see what you mean.” Brody chuckles as I lean over the fence to admire all of the things growing on the other side. “Willow is going to be beside herself.”
Brody turns me to face him, and I smile up at him and our son. He runs a finger over the side of my face. “The next letter is yours.”
“What?”
“Lexie and I met up when I got back to town last night. Obviously, we don’t know what the letter says, but our guess is that Rachel wants you to be the one to tell Jackson.”
I start to back away from him. “No. No way. I can’t tell Jackson. Why me? You’re his best friend, his brother.” My hands rest on my head as I spin in a circle. This is insane.
“Like you told me, let’s not worry about it right now. We don’t even know what Maggie wants to do here. She might have already taken matters into her own hands.”
Ray steps out onto the porch. “Thought you’d be showing up. The girls have lunch on.” He waves for us to join them inside.
The minute we cross the threshold, I know my husband’s right in his assessment. Grandma Maggie and a younger woman have their heads bowed together over what looks like a recipe book. There are several pots boiling on the stove.
“It’s a little warm inside. We can eat out back,” the woman says, turning to speak to Ray. When she spots my husband, a smile instantly lights her face. “Brody! You’re back!”
Brody nods then looks away, guilty. Maggie also turns to face him.
Maggie steps in front of him and places her hand on his cheek. “Don’t you turn away from me. You were only following Rachel’s instructions. You’re a good boy, Brody. Now set my grandbaby down so Grandma can fill him with snacks.”
Jack wraps his arms around Maggie’s legs as soon as he’s on the ground. “Gma, cookie,” he says, flexing his little palms high above his head, indicating he wants her to pick him up.
Jenny hurries over to a ceramic mushroom, taking the top off. She comes back with a big chocolate chip cookie. “I don’t know if these are as good as Grandma’s, but I try.”
Maggie chuckles, hoisting my son into her arms. She hugs her daughter from the side as Jenny hands him the cookie. “This is Jack, and he’s Grandma’s boy, isn’t he?”
Jack shoves the treat in his mouth, nodding.
Jenny blinks rapidly as she studies our son. “You have a very handsome name,” she tells him.
He tucks his face against Maggie, a little unsure of meeting someone new.
My heart clenches painfully for her. She didn’t get this with Jackson. I can’t imagine loving my son from afar.
A few minutes later, we all end up sitting outside at the cutest little table, enjoying soup, sandwiches, and fresh baked bread.
My husband unabashedly fills his bowl for a second time as Jenny takes Jack’s hand and begins to walk him around a little stone path, showing him all the whimsical things in her backyard.
I lay my head on Brody’s shoulder. “She reminds me so much of Willow,” I say quietly.
Maggie nods. “I’ve always said Willow reminds me of my Jenny.” She watches her daughter with my son. “She’s missed out on so much. While I might never understand why she stayed away, she’s here now. I think we should make the most of it.”
“So, we’re moving on to the next step in Rachel’s plan?” Brody asks between bites.
I shake my head back and forth. “If the next step involves me telling Jackson, I’m not sure I can do it.”
Maggie looks at Brody. “There are more letters?”
Brody laughs sadly. “Yeah.” He reaches behind him and pulls a folded envelope out of his pocket. He sets it in the middle of the table, and I see it has my name on it.
We all stare at it.
My husband continues to speak. “I look up to you more than anyone, Miss Maggie. If you say it doesn’t go beyond us, I’ll respect that. But I feel I should at least let you know my opinion.”
Maggie nods once, giving him her full attention.
“Her immediate reaction to my arrival was concern for Jackson. She’s been nothing but kind and gracious to me.
Jenny seems to have healed, and maybe it has taken her this long.
I don’t know what she went through, nor am I going to pretend to.
How I see it, they were two mothers who were making the best decision they could for their son.
Right or wrong, it’s the choice they made.
” He points to Jenny and Jack as they squat down to look at something on the ground.
“It took what, five minutes for Jack to warm up to her? Jackson didn’t get to know her, but that doesn’t mean Aspen has to suffer the same fate. ”
We’re quiet as Jack’s little giggle wafts on the breeze over to us.
Maggie turns her focus to me, a look of resolution on her face. “Open it.”
I read it to myself before sharing it with the group:
“My dearest Daisy,
If you’re reading this, you know I’ve kept a very big secret from the club. It’s the reason I stood by your mother when you came to us. Mothers sometimes make choices no one else will ever understand.
What stood out to me most in your situation was the grace you gave her. The kindness and love you showed Elizabeth, despite your own pain. It gave me hope that my son will exemplify the same type of behavior when he learns of his biological mother.
I believe our lives are written in the stars. You and your mother came into my life when I needed you most.
I would like you to be there when he reads the letter I’ve written to him. You will understand better than anyone how he will be feeling. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried that my son will never see me the same, but it’s a risk I must take.
Please remind him that we can never have too many people in our lives who love us.
You returned the dragonfly to the club, now it’s time to bring back the woman who started it all.
Love, Rachel.”
When I finish, I gently lay the letter on the table and take a deep breath. Jenny approaches us with Jack on her hip.
“Look, Mama,” he squeals.
Jenny sets him on his feet, and he rushes to me, holding his arm out. A fuzzy caterpillar is perched near his elbow.
I wipe my eyes and smile at him. “Does it tickle?”
He nods, his little giggle infectious, making everyone laugh along with him.
“Let’s go inside and look for a jar to put him in so you can take him home and show Aspen,” Jenny tells him.
He instantly reaches for her hand, following her inside.
Maggie lets out a little sob, and Ray leans over in his chair to comfort her. My gaze connects with my husband’s. “This is a good thing. Not only for Jackson and his family, but for ours too.”
He rubs his hand over his face. “You’re right.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket.
Jackson answers on the first ring. “Hey Daiz, what’s up?”
“Not much. I was just wondering if we could meet for lunch tomorrow?”
“Yeah, sure. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s good. Nothing to worry about.”
“Alright. I’ll be working over at the warehouse tomorrow. Dirk and Jess are moving back to their house in town, so I’ll be there helping them.”
“Wow. I didn’t know they were moving. Is everything okay?”
Brody frowns, sitting forward.
Jackson laughs. “They’re good. Just taking back some time for themselves, you know?”
“I get that.”
“They want to do some traveling, and they didn’t want to hold up a room at the warehouse that someone from the club could use.”
“That will be a big change for the club.”
“It will, but I’m happy for them. They deserve to relax.”
“I agree. Well, anyway, I won’t keep you. I’ll just grab takeout and bring it to the warehouse. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have a good rest of the day, Jackson. ‘Bye.”
Everyone is looking at me expectantly when I end the call. They’re all wondering what we were talking about. “Dirk and Jesse are moving out of the warehouse,” I tell them.
Ray raps his knuckles over the table, getting our attention. “Change is inevitable.”
Brody shakes his head and laughs. “But does it have to happen all at once?”