Chapter 31
Wednesday morning, I walked into the office with a newfound sense of peace, feeling like a different person.
The fiasco of the house, the repairs, the APS drama—it was all behind me.
My coworkers must have noticed the change, because more than one of them commented on my smile, asking what had me so happy.
“Just life,” I responded, and I meant it.
The week flew by in a blur of good news and smiles that I couldn’t seem to wipe off my face. Anya’s inspection had gone better than I could have hoped for, and it felt like crossing the finish line after a long race.
Richard and I had been texting back and forth all week, making plans for a Friday-night date. It felt strange but exciting to be planning a date again after all these years.
Gabriella was equally thrilled—she was preparing to head out to Houston for her meeting with the chef she’d met after winning the contest.
Friday came faster than expected. I dropped Gabriella off at the airport early that morning. When we finally pulled up to the Departures curb, Gabriella hopped out and yanked her suitcase from the back seat. She was so full of nerves!
I parked and put on my emergency lights to give her a hug that would hopefully calm her down.
“This is it, huh?” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I still can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You’re more than ready,” I said, standing back to look her square in the eye.
“You’ve earned this, Gabriella. And when you come back, you’ll be better than ever.
They’re lucky to have you this week in Houston, and that little bed-and-breakfast downtown is lucky to have you as head chef when you return.
Not sure how long you’ll be there, though, at the rate you’re learning. ”
She gave me a wide smile. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. You’ve been…everything. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already have,” I said. “You’ve been such a light in the house, Gabriella. You’re going to do great things, and I’m so proud of you.”
We hugged tightly, and for a moment, neither of us moved. When we finally let go, Gabriella wiped her eyes and gave me one last, determined nod.
“When I get back, we’re going to celebrate,” she said, grinning through the tears.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said, feeling the pride thrum through my heart. Gabriella’s success might mean I’d need to work full-time for the next two years, of course. But I’d always been a hard worker; what else was new?
She grabbed the handle of her bag and headed inside the airport, glancing back one more time to wave. And just like that, she was off. The next chapter of her life had officially begun, and I knew that whatever happened, Gabriella’s future was bright. I was glad to bask in the light with her.
I headed off to work. By the time I got home from working a full shift that day—I was granted some extra hours on our busy Fridays—I was ready to settle into the evening and get ready for my date with Richard.
I opened the door to my house, already thinking about what I’d wear and whether I should text him to confirm the time.
But before I could even set down my things good, the doorbell rang.
I frowned, glancing at the clock. Richard couldn’t be here this early—he had said he’d pick me up at six, an hour from now. I opened the door, expecting maybe a neighbor or someone selling something. But instead, there they were—Terri and Elijah, standing on my doorstep like a blast from the past.
“Grandma!” Elijah shouted, running straight into my arms, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. The warmth of his little body against mine made my heart burst with joy, and for a moment, I didn’t care about the surprise visit.
“Hey, EJ!” I said, bending down to hug him back. “What are you doing here?”
Elijah pulled away just enough to look up at me with his wide, innocent eyes. “Momma said we could come surprise you. Is that okay?”
I smiled, running a hand over his hair. “Of course it’s okay. I’m always happy to see you.”
Terri stood behind him, looking both exasperated and unsure.
She wore her locs pulled up in a ponytail, her khaki jumpsuit had an uncharacteristic dirty spot on it, and the dark circles under her eyes said she was here on her last bit of energy.
“Hey, Momma,” she said, stepping forward to give me a short hug.
“Terri. Good to see you as well,” I said sincerely, concerned for my daughter. The stitch of strife dissolved away. Terri was a workhorse; it takes one to know one. “What brings y’all all the way to Robin Creek?” I stepped aside and opened the door wider, welcoming them inside.
I wasn’t sure how I expected her to answer my question.
Surely she wouldn’t lie and say she was checking on me.
Even as I stood there watching my daughter collapse onto the couch, I made up a story in my mind.
EJ and Eric had a falling-out. Terri left her training to get back home and resolve things, standing in the gap between her husband, her child, and her father.
God knows I know that role.
Terri sighed. “The APS lady reached out to let me know everything was all right with the house.”
I blinked, caught off guard. Anya? I hadn’t expected her to follow up with Terri about the inspection, but maybe it was her way of showing Terri that I had things under control.
“Well, yeah. Everything’s fine,” I said, trying to process the situation.
I sat next to her, but immediately another knock came at the door.
I hoisted myself up to answer it for a second time.
When I opened it, there stood one of Elijah’s little neighborhood friends, holding his bike with one hand and looking hopeful. “Can Elijah come out and play?”
I glanced at Terri, who gave me a slight nod, and then back at Elijah. “Sure, but stay close to the house, okay?”
“Okay!” Elijah bolted out the door, the boy following close behind.
With Elijah safely outside, I turned to Terri and motioned for her to follow me to the kitchen. “Come on, let’s sit for a minute. I’ve got some of Gabriella’s food left over. You’re going to love it.”
The kitchen was filled with the lingering aromas of the Blaxican fusion Gabriella had made before heading to Lubbock.
It was like the smells had soaked into the walls, making the whole house feel warm and inviting.
I pulled out a couple of plates and started warming up the leftovers, aware of Terri’s eyes on me the entire time.
“So,” she began, leaning against the counter, “you’re really okay, huh?”
I glanced at her, trying to read the tone behind her question. Was she worried? Skeptical? “I am,” I replied simply, setting the plates down on the counter. “Better than I’ve been in a long time, actually.”
Terri’s brows furrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s just… I guess I’ve always thought of you as…well, you know…reliable. Predictable. You were always the one who kept everything together no matter what.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath before I answered. “I know. I still am reliable. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a life of my own. I love you and Elijah, but I’m more than just someone you can call to handle things at the drop of a hat.”
Terri blinked, her expression softening. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… You’ve always been the one who sacrificed for everyone. I guess I never thought about you having your own life outside of Daddy and me and Eric Jr.”
I smiled, feeling a strange mix of pride and sadness. “That’s the thing, Terri. I still love you, but I also deserve to live my life the way I want. I’ve spent so many years taking care of everyone else, and now I’m finally taking care of myself.”
Terri’s eyes widened slightly as she processed my words, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of understanding cross her face.
I cut to the truth. “So, what happened with your father and Elijah?”
Her shoulders fell. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Then she covered her eyes with one hand. “Sheeesh. I mean, Elijah is kind and smart, and he’s also a child who speaks his mind.”
“And?”
“And Dad classifies a child telling you they’d rather take a shower than a bath as talking back.
They clashed. Dad tried to spank him. Elijah ran next door to the Woodsons’ house.
Thank God they called me instead the police, or there’d be another investigation in the family. With one phone call, you know.”
“Yes, I absolutely do know,” I emphatically agreed. I went so far as to raise my hand like I was about to testify on a witness stand. “One phone call, one person’s interpretation of events, and—poof—you’re on the wrong side an inquiry. Suspect number one.”
Her head lolled up and down. “I know, I know.”
“No, you don’t know,” I continued, not coming from a place of anger, but a place of hurt.
It was time to speak my truth to her, to name my feelings so we could deal with them together.
“You didn’t call me when you got faulty information from APS.
Instead, you called your father. Sent him here to get Elijah without so much as an opportunity for me to let you know what was really happening.
That hurt, Terri,” I said, not even trying to keep my voice steady.
She stared down at her lap. “I’m sorry. I just… I’m so angry about you and Dad breaking up,” she gushed, and tears sprang from her eyes. “My parents… You two are my rock. Together. It feels like my whole foundation has crumbled way because you decided Daddy wasn’t good enough for you anymore.”
It bit my lip to keep from defending myself. I was past that now.