Chapter Seventy-One
Gigi
A s Wednesday approached, my anxiety grew around meeting my mother. I honestly don’t know why I’m worried. I’ve gone years without this woman, but maybe the child inside still wants to know the answer to so many questions. When the day finally arrived, Marcus woke up before his alarm, quietly slipping out of bed and going downstairs. I wasn’t even asleep after tossing and turning all night, so I rolled out of bed and followed him down to the kitchen a few minutes later.
When I enter the room, he’s standing in front of the coffee maker. I walk to him and put my arms around his waist.
“Good morning, G.”
“Hi.”
“Looks like you slept as well as I did.”
“I don’t even know if you can call it sleep. I kept waking up.”
“I know. I felt you rolling around all night.”
“Sorry.”
His hand goes to the back of my neck. “Don’t be sorry. I know you’ve been worried about today.”
“I really think I’m ready, though. I’ve worked through the shock, and now I just want to see what she has to say. I sort of just want it to be over now.”
“And Audrey is still going to be there?”
“Yup.”
“I’ll be at the office, so I’ll be close by, too, if you need me.”
“Okay.” I kiss his arm. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, princess.”
I release him to grab the almond milk for the coffee.
Audrey and I agreed to meet at her place and then walk over to the coffee shop a couple blocks away. When I arrive, I feel like a crazed mess of nerves and caffeine.
“Are you ready?” She looks into my eyes.
I blow out a breath. “Yeah.”
“Okay, remember, say the word and we’re out.”
“Got it.”
She grabs her purse, handing me mine, and we leave.
When we walk into the coffee shop, my eyes scan the people seated at the tables. She said she would be wearing a green sweater. Not seeing anyone in the crowd, I glance over at the group of people waiting for their orders, and I see her.
She’s taller than I am, her hair is a little past her shoulders and a bright white. She’s thin, and she just looks old. I got a copy of my birth certificate when I was eighteen, so I know she’s sixty-one, but I didn’t imagine that sixty-one would look like this.
I tug on Audrey’s arm. “That’s her over there.”
Audrey acts like she’s looking at her phone, but her eyes move to my mother. “Wow, she’s really here.”
“I know. I feel like I can’t catch my breath.”
“Are you okay? Do we need to step outside?”
I shake my head. “No, but don’t let me order coffee. Just get me a hot chocolate with almond milk.”
“You got it.”
“I’m going to go over to her.”
“I’ll be right here.”
I nod and release her arm. I start walking toward my mother when she sees me. Tears come to her eyes, and she meets me halfway.
“Genevieve?”
“It’s Gigi now.”
“Hi, Gigi.”
“Hi.” I have no idea what to say to this woman standing in front of me.
“Should we get a table? I can come back up when they call my name.”
“Sure.”
We find a table and sit, and I point to where Audrey is standing in line. “My friend Audrey came with me. She’s just ordering our drinks.”
“That’s nice. Your hair is so red now. When you were little, it was a strawberry blonde.”
Audrey comes to the table, holding her hand out to my mom.
“Ms. Kelly, I’m Audrey, Gigi’s friend.”
“Hello, Audrey. I’m Sarah.”
Audrey sits, and we awkwardly talk about the weather, waiting for our orders. Once we’re all back to the table, I decide to break the ice.
“Why did you call me? Why did you want to see me after all this time?”
Her face softens. “I’m not getting any younger, Gigi. I know I made a huge mistake with the path I chose in life, in letting you go. I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
I nod my head. “How did you know where I work?”
“I looked you up online, saw your social media accounts. When I saw all your pictures, getting a glimpse at the person you’ve become, I was filled with so much regret.”
“Thirty years is a long time. You’re just now feeling regret?”
“It hasn’t been just now. I’ve felt like a piece of me was missing since the day they took you away.”
Audrey sits quietly, watching our interaction. I’m thankful she’s here; her presence is keeping me calm. “Why didn’t you and Dad ever try to get me back?”
“Your father and I weren’t healthy individuals. I tried to clean up for a while, but your father kept with our old ways, and it caused me to fail. I thought you would be better off in any household but ours.”
“I didn’t have a family. I bounced around for years.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize—”
“Because you didn’t care,” I interrupt her.
“I always cared. I just knew I couldn’t take care of you.”
I look down at my hot chocolate, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just don’t understand how drugs were more important than your own child.”
“Drugs are a horrible thing, Gigi. Now that I’ve been clean for a few years, I can see the disgusting void they left in my life. I’m so sorry I let them win.”
“So, what do you want to know?” I’m ready to get to the question-and-answer time.
“I saw you’re engaged. I’m happy for you.”
“I am. He’s a good man.”
“What does he do?”
“He works for his family company. He’ll be taking over the business soon.”
“I’m glad you found a provider.”
“I provide for myself.”
“Of course, I’m sorry. So, you work at a spa?”
“I own it.”
She reaches over, placing her hand on mine. I quickly retract my hand; her touch isn’t welcomed yet. “That’s amazing, Gigi.”
“Thanks.”
Audrey stands from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
“Your friend seems nice.”
“She’s amazing. We’ve known each other for close to ten years now.”
“Tell me more about your fiance.”
“He’s tall, dark, and handsome.” I grin at the thought of him. “He’s established, patient, and giving.”
“He sounds wonderful. And he owns a business, too?”
Audrey returns to the table. I direct my attention back to my mother. “Well, not yet. The business will be handed over to him once we’re married.”
“Have you set a date yet?”
“December ninth.”
I nod my head. There’s an uncomfortable pause in the conversation. If this is a conversation. Her aura is throwing me off. I don’t feel peaceful around her. I’m ready to go. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”
“I want to talk about everything, but I think we both know that won’t happen today.”
“Right.”
“Gigi, can we meet again like this?”
“Maybe. I can let you know. You can put your number in my phone.”
“Okay.” Her lips form a tight smile as she takes my phone. After she hands it back to me, Audrey and I stand from the table.
“Thank you for meeting with me today, Gigi. It’s been so good to see you’ve turned out okay. That you built a life and you’re happy. I hope to see you again.”
“Yeah, I hope you have a good rest of your day.” I give her a smile and walk to the door. I know she was probably expecting a hug or something, but I don’t have it in me.
Once we’re out on the sidewalk, Audrey loops her arm through mine. “You did really well in there, Gigi. I know that was hard.”
“I feel so numb. I wasn’t expecting to feel so much nothingness seeing her.”
“It’s okay to feel that way. You might share blood, but she’s a stranger.”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go back to my place. I still have ice cream.”