9. Heath
I knew Mom was up to something when she suggested she drive. She never wants to drive. When we pulled into the church parking lot, she claimed she just needed to pick up some yarn that had been donated for her hats. I offered to wait in the car to call her bluff, but she insisted I come in and help carry the box.
“Okay, but after this, you’re letting me treat you to dinner, right?” I ask.
“Sure, of course,” she says nervously. “Do you mind getting the door? It’s a bit sticky.”
I reach out and pull the door open a bit too hard. It definitely wasn’t sticky. I laugh when I glance inside and everyone yells “Surprise.” Zade is in the front row and launches himself at me like a flying squirrel. I catch him and swing him around before putting him down and leaning in to give Olivia a hug. “You didn’t have to come all the way to Piney Brook,” I tell her.
Dominic shakes my hand. “Of course we did, you’re family.”
I don’t know why his words choke me up, but they do. I look around and spot Hudson in the corner talking to Anne. Of course, he’s already chatting up the single ladies. Or at least, I think she’s single.
I make my way around the room, mingling with all the people who took the time out of their day to come to a party for me. I’m a little disappointed that I don’t see Gabby. Maybe she’s working. Finally, I make my way to Evan.
“Happy birthday, Heath,” he says. “Looks like Rosie’s still got the party planning touch, huh?”
I laugh. When we were kids, Mom went out of her way to make sure I had the best birthday parties. Everyone in my class got invited, and we’d spend hours playing Nerf guns, or building Legos. One time, she rented a big bounce house. That was endless hours of fun. “I guess so.”
“Are you coming to Reese and Daniel’s later?” Karlee asks.
“Yeah, I thought I’d stop by.” Since I’ve been home, and spending more time with Evan and Karlee, Brant, and Daniel, and their girls, Morgan and Reese have become part of my circle, too.
“Great!” Karlee says brightly. “I invited Gabby, too.” She looks around the room and frowns. “Though I don’t see her now. Maybe she stepped into the bathroom.”
I look around again.
She came?
How did I miss her?
My heart pounds in my chest. She came.
“I’m sure she’ll turn up,” I say casually. Hoping not to seem too eager to see her.
“I’m sure,” Evan says, giving me a knowing look.
“Uncle Heath,” Zade calls. “Is it time for cake?” I laugh. Oh, to be a kid again. The cake was always the highlight of a birthday party.
“You bet!” I say, making my way to the cake table. “Help me blow out the candles?”
Zade grins. “I bet you’re gonna need lotsa help. Twenty-five candles is so many!”
I laugh and ruffle his hair before picking him up and holding him on my hip while Mom lights the candles.
“On the count of three,” she says as she lights the last one. “One, two, three . . .”
A chorus of the “Happy Birthday” song rings out, and Zade grabs my face and plants a kiss right on my cheek. I hug him tight. “Ready?” I whisper when everyone’s done singing.
“Did you make a wish?” Mom asks.
I pause. “I’m too old for that, Ma.”
She shakes her head and puts her hands on her hips. “Absolutely not. It’s tradition.”
“Okay,” I say, closing my eyes. I wish Gabby would give me a second chance. “Done,” I say out loud. “Now, help me blow out these candles and get my wish,” I say to Zade, leaning us both down toward the flames, careful to keep him from getting burned.
We blow the candles out in one swoop, and Mom steps in to start cutting the cake.
“What did you wish for, Uncle Heath?” Zade asks.
“He can’t tell you that,” Olivia says, taking him from my arms. “Then the wish won’t come true.”
Zade nods sagely. “Yeah, I wished for my diabetes to be better, but I told. That must be why I’m still sick.”
My eyes flick to Olivia’s. She smiles and kisses his cheek. “The doctor says you’re doing great with your insulin pump.”
He nods. “Yeah, but I still can’t have treats all the time.”
Dominic pats his back. “Lots of people have diabetes, Zade. It doesn’t stop them from doing amazing things.”
I make a mental note to check in with them about Zade’s health more often. Since I’ve been home, it’s been easy to take his health for granted. I remember when he was first diagnosed. Scared Olivia and me to death. Finally got Dominic to step in and embrace his role. Thank goodness. I’m not sure what I would have done if Olivia didn’t have him. It would have made coming home so much harder.
After finishing the cake, people start to say their goodbyes and leave. Zade rubs his eyes, and his dad scoops him up. “It’s about time we got going,” he says. “We’re going to try to drive back while he sleeps.”
I nod. “I appreciate you coming all this way for a few hours.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Olivia says, giving me a hug. “Are you and Momma A coming out for Thanksgiving?”
I nod. “I think so. I have to clear it with work and her doctor, but that’s the plan for now.”
“Just let us know,” Dominic says. “You’re always welcome.”
After walking them to their car and saying goodbye, I step back inside and find my mom. “Thank you for all of this,” I say.
“My pleasure.” She smiles and pats my hand. “I hoped Gabby would come. She said she would.”
“Evan and Karlee said they saw her,” I say, frowning. “I never did, though.”
“Well, let’s get cleaned up so you can go hang out with your friends later.”
Karlee did say she’d invited Gabby to the bonfire. Maybe I’ll get to see her tonight after all.
I help Mom load the presents into the car, vowing to open them tomorrow when I have more time. I still can’t believe anyone got me anything. It’s a little weird, if I’m being honest. In the Army, my birthday was just another day. The guys and I maybe went out and grabbed a burger, but we didn’t make it a big deal. I’m out of practice with these things.
Turns out, Gabby skipped the bonfire last night. I don’t know why I thought she might be there. I stayed out later than I had planned in case she decided to stop by after all. I want to ask her why she left the party before I was able to see her. Friends can ask that, right?
I should have asked her if she’ll answer my calls or texts now that we are friends.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, I head down the hall and into the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. I’ve just plated my eggs when mom comes in. “Can I make you some?” I ask.
“No, thanks. I already had my avocado toast.” She sits at the table and watches as I put butter and jam on mine. “How was last night?”
“It was good. It was nice hanging out with everyone. Even though being the only single one feels weird sometimes.” I take my plate and join her at the table.
“After breakfast, do you want to open your presents?”
I finish chewing my eggs before answering. “Yeah, I told Zade I’d open his first and video call so he can watch.”
Mom smiles. “He’s such a good kid. I see Dominic and Olivia are getting along well. I’m so happy for them.”
“Me too,” I say, pushing my plate away. “They deserve a happy family.”
Mom’s grin falters.
“Not that you didn’t deserve that, too,” I say.
“No, I know,” she says, reaching over to pat my hand. “Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we hope.”
“Did you ever think of moving on?” I ask. Mom never dated after Dad left. She used to say she had me and that was enough. As a little kid, that felt like a good answer. Now, I’m not so sure.
“I’m happy with how things are,” she says, looking away. “When your father left, I was so broken. I didn’t think my heart would ever heal. I poured myself into work, and raising you the best way I knew how.”
I stand and hug her tight. “You did a great job, Ma. If you want to find love again, I’d support that.”
She shakes her head. “I’m in my fifties now, Heath. My time has passed. I look forward to the day you start your own family.”
Now it’s my turn to look away. How can I start a family of my own when the only woman I could see as my wife just wants to be friends? “Let’s go open some presents.”
Mom follows me into the living room and slides into her rocking chair, flipping the lever to lift her feet. “I’ll hold the phone,” she says when I dial Olivia’s number.
“Hello?” Olivia answers.
“You look tired,” I say. She’s got bags under her eyes and looks like she didn’t sleep a wink all night.
“It’s not easy to sleep in a car, and I’ve stayed up so that Zade didn’t miss your call this morning.”
“Well, I’ll make this quick so you can go rest. Can I see my best buddy?”
Olivia hands the phone to Zade. “Hey, dude,” I say when his big grin is on the screen. “Pull the phone back a bit, remember?”
Zade laughs. “Oh, yeah. Are you opening my present now?”
I hold it up so he can see. “I’m giving the phone to Grandma Rosie so she can hold it while I unwrap, okay?”
He nods and squirms in his seat. “Hurry up!”
Laughing, I hand the phone to Mom and wait for her to nod. “Here we go,” I say, dramatically tearing the paper off the package. I open the box and pull out the shirt inside. It’s got a picture of Zade and me from the zoo and says “Best Uncle Ever.” “Wow, Zade!” I choke back tears. “It’s perfect!”
“Are you going to wear it today?” he asks excitedly.
“Of course,” I say, taking my t-shirt off and replacing it with his gift.
He grins and pulls his blanket off showing me his matching shirt. Except his says “Best Nephew Ever.” “Now we match!”
I grin. “That’s perfect,” I say. “Next time we go to the zoo, we’ll have to wear these shirts so everyone knows how awesome we are. What do you say?”
“Yeah!” He looks to his right where I’m sure Olivia is beside him on the couch. “Mommy said it’s time to go so she can take a nap.”
I nod my head. “Sounds good to me. Be good so your mom and dad can sleep some today, okay?”
“I will. Bye, Uncle Heath.”
“Bye, little man.”
He hits the end button, and the call cuts off.
“That was so sweet,” Mom says, wiping at her eyes with the corner of her shirt.
“It was.” I reach for another present. A gift bag this time. “I wonder who this one’s from. I don’t see a tag.” I reach inside the bag and pull out a book. A thriller, just like I used to read. Next, I pull out a bottle of aftershave, my favorite kind. I reach into the bag again and swirl my hand around, looking for a card. Feeling something, I grab it and pull it out. A gift card to the Coffee Loft.
“No card?” Mom asks.
“No,” I say, looking at the items again. “But I have a good idea who it’s from. Do you mind if we open the rest later? I have an errand to run.”