CH 38 - #generations
Riley
I WAS AT my duplex, eating a late supper of tomato soup and a grilled cheese, when I received a text message from my sister.
Rachel:Guess what?
Me:???
There was a lull. Then, a picture of a positive pregnancy test came through.
Me:I’m calling you now!
“Sisterrrr!” I said when she answered.
“Can you believe it happened this quickly?”
“No. But isn’t it wonderful?”
“So very wonderful.”
“Did you just now find out?”
“Yes. Jackson and I both did. He’s right here with me.”
“And I’ll bet he can’t stop smiling.”
Rachel chuckled. “He can’t.”
“Besides you, Jackson, and me, who knows you’re pregnant?”
“Rhys. Jackson just texted him the picture and is about to send it to Janice and Rob.”
“So, Momma and Daddy don’t know yet?”
“They will as soon as you and I hang up.”
“Do you want me to tell Macie the good news?”
“No, I want to.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go send your texts.”
“I love you. You’re going to be the best aunt ever!”
After my sister and I hung up, I called Rhys.
“Aunt Riley!” he said, answering his phone.
“Uncle Rhys!”
“Isn’t this the coolest thing?”
“Yes! I’m so happy for Rachel and Jackson.”
“Me too.”
“Do you have a feeling, one way or another, about them having a boy or a girl?”
“I think they’re going to have a boy.”
“So do I. Who do you think he’ll look like?”
“Probably Rachel, since dark features are usually dominant.”
“I sure would like to see another blond-haired, blue-eyed Silverman boy running around.”
“Maybe you and I will have him.”
I placed my hand over my heart, so moved by Rhys’s words. “I hope we do.”
“Tell me how your day was.”
“It was good.”
“Did you give Dr. Robinson your notice?”
“Not yet. Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not. But what’s your hesitance?”
“He’s just been so great to me, and I feel like I’ll be leaving him hanging after I give my notice. I wish I could find someone to replace me.”
“You might find someone, but they won’t be you. I can guarantee that.”
“Well, thank you.”
Rhys sighed. “I miss you. My bed misses you.”
“I miss both of you.”
“You need to get your little ass back to Cypress Hills. Permanently.”
“I know. Once I do, what will we do with two ghosts in your house?”
“ Our house, mia bella. And I don’t know what we’ll do with having Joseph and Rosalie hanging out with us. No doubt, it’s going to be entertaining.”
“Has Rosalie done anything else since tipping over the glass of orange juice that you left on the kitchen counter because you had to hurry to go take care of that busted water heater at the B&B?”
“Nope. That’s it, thank goodness. Talk about a sticky mess to clean up.”
“The next time I’m there, I’ll ask Rosalie to cut you some slack.”
Rhys laughed. “Good luck!”
“Do you still not want us to tell anyone that we figured out she and Joseph are with us?”
“I still don’t. Folks aren’t likely to believe it anyway, and I don’t want to listen to their doubt or ridicule.”
“Okay. We’ll keep keeping it between us then.”
“I really do think it’s best.”
“I wish Rosalie or Joseph had a way to tell us why they chose to grab onto us like this.”
“I’ve thought about that quite a bit, and if I had to guess, they see themselves in you and me and enjoy seeing it. Their union was cut short in the physical world, so…”
“I think you might be onto something there.”
“Hey, my mom is calling me.”
“Okay, call me back.”
“I love you, Riley Dawn. Come home to me, let me marry you, and let’s make a baby.”