Chapter 4 #4
“We’ve been just beside ourselves at the thought of the two of you and the baby so far from home, especially during the first year of the baby’s life,” Linda said.
Janey looked at Joe, who seemed as surprised as she was. “You have? Why didn’t you say something?”
“What could we say, honey?” Big Mac asked. “You’re off pursuing a dream we’ve wanted for you for so long. We’d never stand in the way of that, the way David did all those years ago.”
Her parents had never gotten over David discouraging her from going to veterinary school while he attended medical school so they wouldn’t be overly burdened with debt afterward.
Her dad had been particularly incensed about it, so to hear him say now that he was thrilled she was staying home was surprising.
“I’ve thought a lot about that,” Janey said, choosing her words carefully. “David wasn’t entirely to blame. If I’d wanted it badly enough, I would’ve moved mountains to make it happen. It’s true he discouraged me, but I was easily discouraged.”
“Still,” Big Mac said. “It wasn’t his finest hour.”
“Let’s not talk about him,” Linda said. “I have another question.”
“Which is?”
“Do you think you’ll go back to school in a year?”
With the eyes of the three most important people in her life on her, Janey found that she couldn’t lie—not to herself and certainly not to them. “I don’t think so.”
“What?” Joe said. “You said one year, and then you’d finish.”
Dismayed by his reaction, Janey said, “I know. I did say that, and I felt that way at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I want this.” She gestured to the airy sun porch and the house.
“I want to be here, with my family. I want my baby to grow up with his or her cousins and grandparents and all the people who love him or her nearby, not a thousand miles away.” Janey’s throat tightened with emotion.
“You all have sacrificed so much to help me make my dream come true, but my dream has changed. Dad, I’ll never forget the way you insisted on paying my tuition, even though you certainly didn’t have to. ”
“Aww, shucks, honey, I was happy to do that.”
“And Joe, you moved heaven and earth to make it possible for me to go and to come with me. I know you probably don’t understand—”
He got up and moved to sit with her on the chaise, putting his arm around her. “I do understand. How could I not? No matter where we go in the world, this is our home. It’s where we belong.”
Janey rested her head on his chest. “All I keep thinking about is that we’ve got two years invested there, not to mention the tuition money.”
“Don’t give that another thought,” Big Mac said. “Things change. I get it.”
Janey released a deep sigh as an overpowering sense of relief swept through her, making her teary eyed. “Damned hormones,” she said, brushing away the tears. “I want to be with my baby. I can’t do everything. I’m only just now realizing that.”
“Welcome to motherhood,” Linda said. “The sacrifices never end, but they’re the best sacrifices you’ll ever make. Nothing matters more than your children.”
“It’s your fault, you know,” Janey said with a watery smile. “You set such a high standard that I’ll never be able to live up to it.”
“Oh shush. You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you feel better?” Joe asked.
“Much.”
“You know you still have the right to change your mind when you’re not pregnant and hormonal.”
“Good to know, but I don’t think I’ll change my mind. Now I have to find a way to tell Doc that he’s going to have to turn his practice over to someone else.”
“He’ll understand, honey.” Big Mac cleared his throat loudly and dramatically. “So, I happen to have a bit of gossip you all might be interested in.”
“Is that right?” Linda said acerbically. “Do you need an engraved invitation to share?”
“No, I do not.”
“Guys have no clue how to gossip properly,” Linda said to her daughter.
“I think Daddy might be the exception to that rule,” Janey said, making the others laugh.
“Thank you, Princess,” Big Mac said. “I might’ve talked to Uncle Frank this morning, and he might’ve asked if it’s okay if he comes back for the weekend, and he might’ve also asked if Betsy is still staying with us.”
“Mac!” Linda said. “That’s huge! Why didn’t you say something?”
“I am saying something.”
“How’s Betsy doing?” Joe asked of the woman who’d been staying with them for a couple of weeks now. Her son Steve had been killed in the boating accident that had nearly claimed the lives of Mac, Evan and Grant and left Grant’s friend Dan Torrington badly injured.
“She seems a little better every day,” Linda said.
“It’s nice of you guys to have her at the house,” Janey said.
“We love having her around,” Linda said. “She’s no trouble at all and so thankful for the change of scenery. Lord knows we’ve got plenty of empty bedrooms these days.”
“So Uncle Frank and Betsy, huh?” Janey said, intrigued by the possibilities.
“Wouldn’t that be something?” Big Mac said. “I’ve been hoping he’d find someone new since Joann died all those years ago, but he’s never even had a serious relationship that I know of.”
“I don’t know about you guys,” Janey said, “but I suddenly can’t wait for this weekend.”