CHAPTER SEVEN #2
Ada looks over at me and smiles again. “We’ve got some time before dinner.
I can’t do coffee all day like I used to, but would you join me for a cup of tea?
It’s herbal, but I find the mint flavor surprisingly nice.
” I am glad she didn’t offer me something I can’t have right now.
“Tea sounds good to me. Is there anything I can do to help with dinner?”
Ada puts the kettle on and brings over a bag and a bowl.
“If you want to get these green beans ready, I’ll get our tea ready.
” I nod. I may not be the greatest cook, but I’ve done this job many times over the years for Ma, Anna, or Romona.
I sit down at the kitchen table and open the large bag of green beans.
I start stringing and snapping the beans.
I notice for the first time that there is music playing in the background.
I love that. My dad almost always has music playing, and it’s become a comfort of mine.
A couple of minutes later, I look up as Ada sets a cup down in front of me and sits down across from me at the table.
She looks like she’s studying me. “How do you know the song that’s playing?
” Oh. “Um, I didn’t even realize I was singing along with it.
” I listen and smile. “My dad plays music almost all the time at home, so growing up, I listened to all sorts. He loves older country, rock, and pop, all mixed in with newer stuff. I’ve always been partial to newer rock and pop, but when it comes to country, I like some of the earliest artists.
This song has everything rolled into one.
It’s got sadness about the death of a mother, but it’s also got hope that heaven holds a better place for all of us.
Plus, this is the original Carter family version, and the combination of their voices makes you think that they’ve felt every word they’re singing. ”
Ada smiles at me and leans over and pats my hand. “You’ll more than do, child. You just might be it.” I don’t dare ask her what it might be, but I think I just got her seal of approval, and I feel like things are going to be okay.
Emmett
I swear I could leave and no one would even notice. From the moment we walked into the house, Kinsley’s had everyone’s attention. Cash already met her and was quick to joke around with her. Waylon is his usual quiet self, but he did give her a smile which is rare.
I was honestly a little worried about Mom because she can be a little intimidating, but I should have known Kinsley would win her over like she’s done everyone else she’s met. Hell, Dad is deep in conversation with her about fishing spots that she’s had the best luck at.
Mom made a delicious dinner of pork loin, potatoes, green beans, salad, and rolls.
I bet she made something equally tasty for dessert.
You don’t think she raised four boys into men all over six feet tall if she couldn’t cook?
Hell, between Dad being six-five and Way being nearly six-eight, they would have bankrupted the family if we’d gotten takeout every night, especially when we were teenagers.
Booker is telling Cash and Way a story about the most recent dinosaur he’s been reading about.
I look over and find Mom watching me. She smiles and stands up.
“Boys, help clear the table so I can bring dessert out.” Everyone but Dad and Kinsley stands up and starts to clear the dishes.
Kinsley starts to move when Dad reaches out and pats her hand.
“Let them get it. I saw you helping my Ada with dinner. We have a rule in this house. If you help make the meal, you don’t have to clean up.
I’m pretty sure my Ada hasn’t washed a dinner dish in over thirty years.
She only got up to bring the dessert to the table. ”
I leave Kinsley at the table and head to the kitchen with my hands full of plates.
Mama is busy sending everyone back out with stuff for dessert, leaving just the two of us in the kitchen.
She’s pouring the hot water into the teapot to let the tea steep.
“I made mint tea. Kinsley seemed to enjoy that earlier. I also have coffee going. Think she would want that instead?” I shake my head.
“No, she’s been drinking tea lately.” Mom stops what she’s doing and turns and looks at me.
“You told your dad and me that you’ve been seeing her for several months, correct?
” I nod, not sure where she’s going with this.
“She’s pregnant, isn’t she?” Deer in the headlights, that’s what I am at the moment.
I always said she would’ve been a great detective.
“Yes, ma’am.” She picks up the teapot and places it on the tray with the cups, cream, sugar, and coffee pot.
“I’m only going to ask you one more question right now.
Are you with her only because she’s pregnant?
” I answer without thinking. “Absolutely not. We’d be here for dinner even if she wasn’t.
She’s mine. I understand what Dad means when he talks about the day he met you.
” Mom nods, grabs the cake she made, and heads back into the dining room.
I grab the tray and head out, not sure what’s going to happen over dessert.
Dessert is uneventful as we all enjoy the chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting that Mom made.
She doesn’t always make desserts, but when she does, they are always delicious.
As soon as everyone is done, Mom speaks up.
“Way and Cash, why don’t you take Booker and Murph out back and start a fire.
We’ll be out shortly.” Cash and Way’s eyebrows go sky high.
It’s probably been since we were in high school that Mom gave us the same direction.
Cash, ever the thirteen-year-old, can't help but speak up as he leaves the room.
“Someone is in ttrroouubbllee.” Mom swings at him with her cloth napkin as he runs away chuckling.
I can tell Kinsley is nervous. She’s shifting around in her seat. I reach over and take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. I look over at Dad, and he is looking at Mom, waiting for her to speak. Luckily, she doesn’t make us wait any longer.
Mom looks at Dad as she speaks. “I just confirmed this with our son before dessert, but it would seem that this lovely young lady is pregnant with our second grandchild.” Dad’s eyes go big, and then he gets a big smile on his face.
“Is that right?” I look at both of my parents and speak up.
“That’s right. Kinsley is pregnant. In fact, she’s about fifteen weeks along.
Was this planned? No. Are we both happy?
Absolutely. I am completely in love with her, and she is with me.
This baby is the product of that love, and we are going to embrace it and welcome it. We would love to have your support.”
Dad, the man who’s most often a man of few words, rubs his strawberry-blond beard and surprises me by speaking first. “Son, from what you’ve told me, this perfectly kind young lady here is your end game.
That you got that feeling from the day you met her.
How can I argue with that since I knew my Ada was going to be my forever from the first time I saw her? ”
Mom makes a noise, gets up, walks around the table, and pushes between Kinsley and me.
“I think everything is going to work out just right, and you’re giving me another grandbaby.
I couldn’t be happier!” She gives Kinsley a big hug.
I don’t think either of us realized just how much my woman needed that hug.
She instantly starts crying, and Mom just holds her in her arms and lets her cry.
Dad looks slightly worried. He looks over to me.
“Are these tears of relief or something more?” Kinsley speaks up, still in Mom’s arms. “It’s everything!
It’s pregnancy, it’s you guys being instantly supportive, it’s my mom, and it’s my dad. It’s…it’s just everything!”
Mom pipes up. “Of course, we’re going to be supportive.
We love Emmett and know we raised him right.
He wouldn’t pick someone we don’t care for to spend his life with.
We also know he wouldn’t pick someone as a mother to his child who didn’t have a good head on their shoulders.
Heck, we still get along with Meg even though things didn’t work out between them.
That’s how adults are supposed to do things. Now what’s going on with your parents?”
Kinsley lets go of Mom and wipes her tears away.
“My dad didn’t react well. He still sometimes forgets I’m not a little girl anymore.
He’s coming around and wants to talk, so I know he’s gonna eventually accept everything, but he definitely was taken by surprise.
To be fair, Emmett is the first guy I’ve ever introduced to him, and the first time he ever heard of me having a boyfriend.
My mom…” Kinsley looks over at me. I know she’s tried to act like she doesn’t care about what her mom said to her, but I know she’s broken-hearted.
Fresh tears fall, and she takes out her phone and hands it to me.
I take it, find the messages, and pass the phone to Mom.
I pull the chair Kinsley is in closer to me so I can put my arms around her and hold her.
Within a couple of minutes, Mom starts swearing.
She takes the phone over to Dad so he can read, and then starts pacing.
She’s not speaking loud enough to really be heard, but I can see by her expression that she’s not just upset, she’s angry.
Mom doesn’t go loud and all-uber-protective mama bear very often.
With us boys, she hasn’t had to in years, but I think that dry spell is over.
Mom continues pacing, and on one of her passes, I catch what she’s mumbling.
“If that woman thinks she can upset my girl and my grandbaby’s mama, she’s got another thing coming.
She’s lucky she’s on the other side of the fucking planet.
” I haven’t heard her talking like that since there was a teacher years ago who was seemingly targeting her anger and other issues at Way when he was in elementary school.
A noise at the other end of the table has me looking away from Mom. I’m surprised to see such an intense look on Dad’s face as he stands up. Dad’s always been the quiet giant, his size usually speaking for him.
His face seems a cross between anger and determination.
He moves around the table and kneels down in front of Kinsley.
She turns out of my arms and wipes her eyes as she looks at Dad.
He sets his hand on top of hers gently and gives it a slight squeeze.
“Ada and I were blessed with four sons. We prayed that the Lord would bless us with one more child and for that one to be a girl. We weren’t able to make that happen, but I’m one to think that the Lord works in mysterious ways.
I know that if my boy here feels for you even half of what I feel for my Ada, then you’re going to be part of our lives from here on out.
We’re connected by that life you have growing inside of you.
” Mom has moved and is standing next to Dad with her hand on his shoulder as he kneels.
Dad continues, “I think we were just impatient and that the Lord did bless us with a daughter. We just had to wait for you to come into our lives.”
Mom finds her voice. “That woman who gave birth to you might not want to be a mother anymore, which I can’t fathom at all, but know you’ve got me.
You’ve got this family supporting you. You might not realize it, but you’re stuck with us now.
” Kinsley nods and smiles through her tears.
Sometimes words in response to something like that can go unsaid but be completely understood.