“You’re right.” She places her hand against her chest. “I… I think maybe I’m just a little jealous.”
“You have nothing to be jealous of.”
“When I talked to the boys the other evening, Max told me she baked cookies with him. I didn’t even think Max would want to bake cookies. And Mitchell kept talking about how cool she is. And you. I haven’t even seen you this week, or even talked to you.”
“Mom.” I sigh.
“I feel like I’m being replaced,” she says with tears filling her eyes.
“You’re not being replaced.” I chuckle, closing my arms around her.
“Don’t laugh at me.”
“Mom, you’re being crazy. We love you. That is never going to change.”
“I know. I just…. I guess I liked the idea of you finding someone, but never really thought of where that would leave me.”
I shake my head and rub her back. “The boys won’t like seeing you upset like this.”
“I’m almost done.” She sniffles, and I smile. “I know I’m not acting like it, but I really am happy for you.”
I tip my head down to look at her then tell her honestly, “She’s making me happy. She’s just as cool as both my boys think she is, and she fits in like she’s always been here with us.”
“You’re falling in love with her.”
Without a doubt. “She’s special, and when you meet her, you’ll see what I mean.”
Her expression softens. “Can I meet her now?”
“Do you think I’m going to send you away?”
“I don’t know. I did just show up here without letting you know I was coming over.”
“You’re always welcome in my home. And I know you don’t know December yet, but she would probably be more upset than you if I sent you away without introducing you two.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I chuckle, and she laughs, wiping what was left of her tears from under her eyes. “Are you ready?”
She pulls in a big breath then lets it out. “I think so.” She tips her head back. “Is my makeup a mess?”
“Nope.”
“I know you’re probably lying, but I’m going to pretend like you aren’t,” she mumbles, and I toss my arm over her shoulders and lead her up the steps to the porch. When I open the door, December and Mitchell, who are in the kitchen, turn toward us.
“Hey, Grandma.” Mitchell waves.
“Child, you better get your not-too-old-for-a-whoopin’ butt over here and hug your grandmother,” Mom orders, and December giggles while Mitchell sighs, mumbling something I can’t make out as he comes out of the kitchen to give her a reluctant hug.
“You okay?” I ask, tangling my fingers with December’s when she’s close. She gives me a nod, but I still notice her hand shaking slightly when my mom turns to face us.
“You must be December. I’m Lidia,” Mom reaches out, taking her free hand, and then glances at me quickly. “I can see now why all my boys seem to be falling for you.”
“I….” December’s fingers convulse around mine. “It’s nice to meet you. The boys talk about you all the time.”
“They’re good boys.” Mom smiles.
“They really are,” December agrees, and Mom lets her hand go as Max joins us.
“So you guys are going to Adventure Park today?”
“That’s what I was told this morning.” December glares at Max and Mitchell when they start to laugh. “But I’ve told these guys that I will be sitting at the picnic tables reading while they test the strength of nylon and polyester.”
“My type of girl.”
“You have to at least try zip lining. Even Grandma did that one time,” Max says.
“That and the hanging log bridge,” Mitchell chimes in.
“It will be fun, babe.” I squeeze her hand.
“I’ll take pictures of you guys having fun, with both my feet planted firmly on the ground.”
“Chicken.” Max flaps his arms.
“Yep,” December confirms, looking amused.
“Stick to your guns, honey. I swear I don’t know how these three convinced me to climb up a tree then jump off a platform. I thought I was going to wet myself when I was flying through the air, I was so scared,” Mom says, and both boys start to laugh while December grins.
“You should come with us, Grandma,” Max invites.
Mom shakes her head. “No way. One time was plenty for me. You four go have fun, but if it’s okay with your dad, you and your brother could come stay the night with me. We can go see a movie tonight then get up early and go have breakfast at Pfunky Griddle in the morning,” Mom offers, knowing she’s going to get her way. To this day, I don’t know why that place is one of the boys’ favorite breakfast spots. It’s kind of like cooking at home. Each table is centered around a griddle, and you order what you want then the ingredients are brought out to you for you to make your own breakfast.