Chapter 42 #2
“No, you don’t need that anymore. I don’t want you to be quiet. How about we have a different signal? To assure you, not change you. One that says that everything’s okay?”
Her nerves vanish behind a gentle smile. “I’d like that.”
I take her hand, place it on my heart, and hold it there. “This time, whenever you see me touch my chest over Frank the Frog, you’ll know everything is okay… and that Frank and I love you and think you’re perfect.”
She snort-laughs. “I don’t know if Frank would concur, but yes, I like that. Thank you.”
“If it helps, she’s probably more nervous than you are.”
“I don’t wish her anxiety, but, yes, that helps.” She smooths out her t-shirt and jeans, fiddles with her braid, and takes another deep breath. I hold out my hand, and she takes it.
Around the corner, we step through the gate and into the backyard. Fred mans a smoking grill filled with burgers and hot dogs. Olly guzzles lemonade while Buster yaps at his feet. Mom steps out from the sliding glass door with a stack of plates and a small bowl on top.
“Olly, Buster’s thirsty, too. How about pouring him some water in this?” she says, handing him the bowl.
The gate door shuts behind us, catching everyone’s attention, except for Olly’s. He snatches the bowl and races to the outdoor sink.
Mom’s brown eyes run over us, hesitating at our locked hands. I narrow my eyes at her, and she smiles lightly. Fred makes it to us first, tongs in hand.
“Venus, our brilliant world traveler, is back from saving the world! Great to see you,” he says with his usual top-notch enthusiasm. “Love the ink, honey. Absolutely gorgeous.”
“I have fifteen tattoos,” she reports awkwardly, “all my designs. And, yes, it’s lovely to see you, too, Fred.”
Mom moseys over slowly, tucking her hands behind her back like she doesn’t know what to do with them. “It’s been a long time,” she says, barely making eye contact.
I reach for my inhaler and take a quick puff. “Mom—”
“Maggie.” In a surprise move, Venus steps forward and forces an embrace that lingers until Mom gives in. “I-I’m happy to see you. Thanks for having me over.”
“You, too,” Mom says, glaring at me over Venus’s shoulder.
I give her my sternest look. Be nice, I mouth.
Convincing Mom to host tonight wasn’t difficult—not with Fred’s help.
But over coffee the other afternoon, she explained, “The last time I saw her, it was over a hospital bed with you in it, Henry. Then, she left, and you fell apart. I nearly lost you twice. You want a second chance with her, and I get it—you two have always had a sweet, if not challenging, connection. So, I’ll host the dinner, put on a smile, and make potato salad.
But I know her. You know her. Chances are, she’ll leave you behind and destruction in her wake.
She makes me anxious for you and for Olly. ”
I argued, of course. I explained why Venus left in the first place and fought for Mom to let go of the past and be pro-Venus for my sake and Olly’s.
Now, spotting Mom’s pinched brow and pursed lips as Venus embraces her, I wonder if anything I said mattered.
It sweeps me back to high school, and the stories Venus has slowly shared with me—the mistreatment she endured, more than I knew—and anger charges through me as I lump my own mother into that category.
Venus releases her from the awkward hug, but pulling away, Mom’s eyes finally reach Venus’s face. A real smile emerges from behind the forced one as she takes her in, and relief softens my anger.
“That’s my mother’s scarf,” she says, surprised, running her fingers along Venus’s loose braid. “She wore that to our wedding with her sage suit. Remember Fred?”
Fred nods. “Oh, yes. She looked pretty in it.”
“I can’t believe you still have it.” Mom traces the top, where Venus has it tied as a headband.
“I have most of them. I wear them every day.” Venus smiles weakly, looking unsure. “I, um, lost the pink plaid one in Borneo, though. I used the teal polka-dotted one to tie off a gaping arm wound I received in a beech forest in the Carpathian Mountains. The blood stains rendered it unsalvageable.”
Venus’s expression contorts in apology.
Mom gapes into a breathy laugh. “Oh, Venus. That’s okay. It’s nice that you could use them, even for wound care.”
Venus lifts her shirt sleeve and twists her tattooed arm to show Mom the raised scar. “Ten stitches.”
“Adventure comes with risks,” Mom sighs, her brow pinching again.
“Damn, Carpathian Mountains? Borneo?” Fred shakes his head. “Isn’t that something?”
“I go where the plants are,” Venus says with a light shrug and a smirk. “Everywhere.”
Mom takes her hand, ogling her rings. “Mom’s mood ring, too?”
“I believe it’s onyx. It’s never changed color, but I love it.”
“I can’t believe you still have it,” Mom says.
“I’ve learned to take home with me… The scarves, the ring, my notes to Henry in my field journal—they’re home to me,” Venus explains, and I think my heart might burst over her sweetness and honesty.
“Well, that’s very nice,” Mom says, appearing moved despite herself.
Venus takes the basket from my hand and offers it to Mom. “Are roses still your favorite? I brought the best ones.”
“They’re… yes, my favorite,” Mom says.
“And wine,” Venus adds.
“Good thinking,” Fred chuckles when Mom says nothing. “I’ll get this baby open. Come, sit down, and tell us about your adventures.”
When Venus glances over her shoulder at me, I put my hand fully over my heart.
The evening passes with good food and light conversation, fluctuating between the grand opening of the museum next weekend and Venus’s travels. As dinner winds down, darkness takes over, and Olly asks to return to camp. I tell him to go inside for the bathroom and to clean up.
“Well, it’s been a great evening,” Fred says. “I’m proud of you two for mending your fences and reconnecting after all this time. It’s a joy to see you together again.”
“It’s only temporary. Henry says you’re moving to New Zealand?” Mom says.
“Mom, I said she had an offer in New Zealand. She hasn’t decided yet. So relax.”
“I’m relaxed, Henry,” she says, her high-pitched voice refuting her claim.
“Venus…” Fred sits up in his seat, breaking the glare between Mom and me, and clears his throat. “New Zealand sounds exciting.”
Venus twists her napkin under the table. I reach over, resting my hand over hers. “Staying is also an appealing option. I haven’t made a final decision yet. New Zealand is a great opportunity, but in light of the new offer, I don’t—”
“What new offer?” I cut in.
“UNCW offered me a permanent teaching position,” she says. “They want me to teach more special topics classes across two disciplines—environmental sciences and art.”
“Art, too? That’s incredible.”
She shrugs. “I have advanced degrees in both concentrations. I’d have an office next to Dad’s and all the art supplies I could ever want. That’s what they said, anyway. It’s a lofty promise, though.”
“Wow, congratulations,” I gush, incredibly proud of her.
“Yeah, congrats, honey,” Fred says. “Henry showed us your teaching videos. I’m not surprised they’re trying to win your heart with art supplies.”
“It’s a great reason to stay,” Mom says weakly.
“Henry and Olly are the best reasons to stay, and reason enough, truly,” she says dryly, and I squeeze her hands tighter. “But a career that matches my qualifications and experience is important to me, and those are scarce around here. I-I don’t know if I want to be a teacher.”
When silence takes over, she glances in my direction, a worried crease between her brow. My hand falls on my heart again, and her smile returns with my secret assurance.