by Tara Brown
I shake my head. “No. I’m Natalie. It’s lovely to meet you.” I offer a hand.
He cringes when he glances at Sami, swallowing the lump in his throat and offering her a hand and a weird smile. “Hi. I’m Matty’s grandpa, Marv.”
She takes his hand, not even glancing down at the dirty callused mitt she’s holding. I know that was hard for her.
“You two sure are pretty.” He shakes his head. “Like being near them girls on the magazines.” He grins at Bev. “Maybe they could show you a thing or two about some makeup, get you a feller.”
Oh God.
Bev scoffs. “Like I want some guy bringing me nothing but trouble.” She shakes her head and saunters off, abandoning us.
Another old man offers his hand, taking his hat off. “Nice to meet y’all. I’m Uncle Sonny. Matty’s dad was my brother.” He points at a brunette. “That pretty girl there, is my Harriette. She’s Matty’s first cousin. Next to her is Erwin, Matty’s other first cousin. His mom’s Aunty Amanda-May, she’s not here right now. She’s my sister.”
Sami looks like she might panic any second but Matt slides into the conversation, slipping an arm around her stiff waist. “This is Sami Ford, Gramps.” He smiles wide.
Brady comes and bear hugs the older man.
This is the most intense thing I’ve ever seen.
They’re so happy and normal and weirdly not like Matt. But since we landed, Matt’s not like Matt. He’s smiling wide and joyful.
An older lady comes to the porch door. She glares at Matt. Everyone becomes silent, like she’s the tyrant Bev described.
“Beverly, now you bring those young ladies up in here for some sweet tea.” She points at Matt. “You don't dare darken my door, young man. I got nothing to say to you.” Her stare is fierce. She’s absolutely the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. “And don't you dare let them cameramen come in my house with that camera rolling. I’ll snap it off on someone’s face.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Matt nods, giving his gramps a nudge. “You need some help in the barn, since I can’t go inside?”
“We got plenty of work and beer.” Gramps wraps an arm around his shoulders.
Fearsome. It’s the word rolling around in my mind when Bev drags us into the house.
I glance back at Brady but he just smirks and winks. Matt glances back at us. His eyes are doing that thing again where they betray the emotions he’s attempting to hide.
I actually feel a bit bad for him, even if he is a dick.
When we get inside, the old lady’s already in the kitchen. She shouts, “Come on inside.”
Bev grins at us and heads in.
Sami grabs my hand, gripping tight for a moment. We don't speak, our eyes have a conversation. I try to tell her it’s going to be okay while she panics but I’m panicking too.
The house is country rustic, everything Sami hates in a place. But here it’s cute, like it suits the views from the huge windows.
The kitchen’s white and crisp and full. There’s appliances and tins and bowls and fruit and baking and tea and everything everywhere. It looks just like an old kitchen should.
She pours us some glasses of tea and stares us down.
My hands shake when I take mine and when I try to take a drink my throat closes, certain there’s poison or something.
Sami doesn't appear to be faring any better.
“So you are the almighty Miss Sami Ford?” She eyes us up like a hawk would a mouse.
“I am.” Sami sounds strong.
“And what do your folks think of him knocking you up and not marrying you?” She tilts her head.
“My father’s angry and my mother believes we will be married soon enough.” Sami doesn't cop attitude. I almost want to get her a trophy for this moment. She’s a superstar.
“And how far along is this baby?”
“Just about five months.”
“You look some skinny for five months.”
“I was skinny to start.” Her voice wavers; I mean, she’s only human so of course it does.
“Are you one of those vegetarians?”
“No.”
“Well, that's good.” She gives Sami that one. Her eyes dart to Beverly. “Why did you bring him here? I don't wanna see him.”
“She wanted to meet you.” Bev sells Sami down the river.
“Lord love a duck, child. Why on earth do you want to meet some old woman?”
“You’re everything to him.” Sami says the most profound thing I think she’s ever said.
The old woman’s eyes well. She clears her throat and pours herself another glass of sweet tea.
Bev nods as if that one was a win.
“Do you want to see?” Sami asks softly. “The baby?”
“Well shoot, of course I do.” The old lady wipes her eyes and hurries over as Sami opens her purse and pulls out a small picture of Eli. “We’re going to name him Elijah Anthony Johnson Ford Brimley.”
“That's a lot names for one little boy.” Gran tries to sound hard but the huge grin on her face and tears in her eyes kill the venom.
I almost pee myself twice but we survive the first meeting.
Chapter 32
A do over for everyone
July 6, 2016
Sami
When I wake up, I shiver, realizing I’m sideways on the bed and the covers are on the floor. My left leg is off the other side. I’m so used to his foot being there that I must have spent the entire night searching for him.
The old mattress and me groan as I get up. It’s given me a crook in my back.
A knock at the door interrupts my silent agony.
“Come in.” I’m prepared for Nadia to come in with vitamins and water and lectures about eating early enough.
But it’s Matt’s scary-ass grandma. She smiles, or at least attempts it. “I didn't want to wake you, but I thought I heard some movement so I took a chance.”
“I was awake.”
“Good.” She paces in front of the window as she opens the curtains for me, sending dust into the morning light. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Thank you.” It’s a harmless lie, the kind Nat always tells. I can’t even move one of my shoulders at this point.
“Do you love him?” She scowls. The question makes me uncomfortable, but she’s like a mom to him.
“I do.”
“Not the way your kind of people love, but—”
“No.” I shake my head. “My parents don't like him anymore than his parents liked me.” I take a breath and struggle through the rest of the sentence. “It’s been an uphill battle for us both. There’s no benefit marrying him. He’s a disappointment to people like me.”
“What about to you?”
“He’s been a disappointment to me.” Tears threaten with a lump in my throat. “When he tried to become someone he wasn't.”
Tears floor her eyes and wrinkled face. “I’ve never spent a single day ashamed of Matty. But the minute his awful father left him with that horrible will, I couldn't believe he would take it, that deal.”
My fingers ache from how hard I’m clinging to the bed.
“I don't blame you if you don't want to be with him. I don't blame you at all. You’re a strong young woman—you came here. That tells me you’re not as awful as everyone says you are. You can raise this baby without him.”
“I know.” I nod, trying not to be offended by the awful part of the story. “I intended to.” The tears work their way up, making it hard to breathe. “But I love him.”
“Can you forgive him?”
“Can you?” I ask back.
“If you do, then I will. But you must really forgive him. You have to assure me this baby won’t be some burden to a horrible relationship, not like Matty and Tony were to their parents.”
“He won’t.” This conversation might kill me but I know I’ll forgive Matt.
“I believe you.” She wipes her face again with her shaky hand. “Thank you.” She
turns and leaves the room as abruptly as she came into it.
Her footsteps on the stairs are as noisy as is the back door when she slams it. I jump up and hurry to my window to catch a glimpse of her walking to the barn. Matt’s already up, sitting on a bench with Lori and his grandpa.
His face pales as his grandma approaches. Lori and Gramps get up, fleeing for the safety of the barn, as Matt stands up. His grandma puts her hands on her hips, shaking her head. He nods. I can almost hear the “yes, ma’am” coming out of him.
His eyes are low as she berates him, giving it to him.
I crack the window quietly, just catching the end of her speech. “Now I didn't spend the last quarter century raising you like a proper gentleman to have you go back up North to start acting like some entitled little shit.”
“No, ma’am.”
“Give Grannie a hug and tell me what your plans are for that girl!” she snaps.
He raises his head, smiling at her. He wraps his arms around her, hugging tight. I can almost see him as a little boy, doing the same thing.
I press my lips together, happy to see him earning her back. My door opens just as the tears start to form in my eyes.
“Sami?” Carson comes in, looking tired and dressed down for him.
“Hey.”
“Can we start over?”
“What?” I’m lost.
“Just play along. Tell me about the baby again.”
“I can’t,” I groan. “Carson, I’m not playing. Matt’s grandma is hugging him and forgiving him, and she and I just talked and I feel light-headed.”
“Oh my God, Sami.” His eyes widen, filled with emotions. “You’re pregnant?” He sounds shocked and disregards what I just said. “That's crazy.” He walks closer. “I hope you know that I’m here for you, whatever you decide. Because you’re my best friend.”
I cry.
I can’t help it. It isn’t all him, some of it is.
“I’m a dick.” He doesn't cry but the pain in his eyes is evident. “But I love you. And I want you to be happy. And if Brimstone makes you happy, even if I don't think he does, then I’m happy for you.”
“Why does everyone think he doesn't make me happy?” I wipe my eyes and let Carson hug me.
“Because you always look so sad and you never seem in love. Relaxed and in love.”
“I don't know how to be that.” I pull back, giving him a scowl. “Do you? You don't look so in love. You look the same, not like Nat and Brady or Liz and Mike. You look like normal, just sort of frozen.”
“That's how I feel. Frozen.” A smile creeps across his lips. “Rich doesn't. He’s like one of them.” He points out the window. “He’s such a rebel that he’s real. He honestly doesn't give half a shit about the rest of the world or their opinions. Last week he told his mom she needed to get laid. I laughed, out loud, right in front of her.” He laughs now. As he speaks of Rich I see it, the love in him. It’s a twinkle in his eyes, and not the normal shitty one. It’s something else. “One thing I don't feel frozen about though, is this: I shouldn't have said what I did. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry.”
“It’s creepy seeing you this serious. Can we not do this anymore?” I grin.
“Yes, please. Let’s never get too serious again.”
I hug him again.
“If you and Matt ever decide you need a threesome to spice things up, can I just put my name in there now?” he mutters and something clicks inside me.
It wasn't ever me.
“Yeah,” I lie.
Carson wasn't in love with me. Or sad because I got a boyfriend. He was hung up on Matt.
“Okay, good talk.” He pats me on the back and leaves. “Don't dress too nicely. I don't want to get robbed when we go line dancing at that barn party.”
“What?”
He glances back in the doorway, flashing that shitty twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, they never told you?” He laughs. “Classic.”
“What do you mean?” I hurry forward, although he’s already running down the stairs.
“Carson!” I shout but he just cackles like an evil gay witch. “Asshole.”
Natalie opens her bedroom door, rubbing her eyes. “What’s up?”
“We’re going to a barn party?”
“It’s something they do down here. They get drunk in barns. It sounds like fun.” She nods. “Go back to bed,” she whispers like we’re sneaking.
“It’s time to get up. The rest of the farm is,” I snap and go back into my room to get some proper clothes on.
A knock on the door interrupts me as I’m just putting on my shirt. “Just a second.”
The door opens, making me part my lips to shout, assuming it’s Carson again. But Matt slips in and closes the door. He lifts a finger to his lips. “She doesn’t let unmarried people sleep together.”
“Brady and Nat are sleeping in the other room.”
“What?” He spins, glaring. “Horseshit! She always says no. Friggin’ Brady.”
“I saw you guys make up, you and your grandma.”
He spins back, losing his spicy expression. “That's why I’m here. I wanted to say thanks. You did something. I know it. She likes you.”
“She’s scary.” I nod. “That's a scary woman. I feel like you didn't prepare me emotionally for this, at all.”
“How do I prepare you? You met her. She’s a tyrant.” He strolls over, sweeping me into his arms and kissing me with fervor and emotion. “Marry me,” he mutters into our lips.
“No.” I grin back.
“Seriously, marry me.” He pulls back, hope filling his face as I stay silent for a moment.
“Beast, you took me to the most magical place in the entire world to ask me to date you. You think just because I’m already knocked up I’m going to settle for less than that when it comes to marriage?”
“Oh.” He loses all his hope. “I never thought of it like that. I assumed we were passed all that cheesy love story stuff.” His eyes lower to my belly. “I mean, you’re—”
“No.” I push him away and fold my arms over my massive chest. “Not a chance. In fact, I’d say you have set the bar quite high. So the second act, the real proposal, needs to be fairly spectacular.”
“Shit.” He bites his lip and breathes out the side of his mouth. “I sort of blew my load on the first one. I mean, that was it.” He steps back, holding his arms out like I should take in all the glory that he is. “Can’t you just take me as I am?”
“No.” I sneer and grab my purse and cell phone. “Not a chance.” I slide past him, leaving him in the room on his own.
Breakfast in the South is my new favorite thing, ever. His grandma makes pancakes, waffles, fresh apple butter, eggs, sausages, bacon, and hash browns. Everything has a million calories and a ton of fat and I don't care. It’s a vacation from my real life.
“I think I need to massage my arteries to stop myself from stroking,” Nat mutters, undoing her shorts.
Brady pulls on his shorts and shows us his stretchy waistband. “The only way, down here.”
Lori grins wide and pulls his pants out too, showing us his are part spandex.
Carson cringes. “They’re dressed like they might go jogging and you’re undoing your pants? Wow. Too bad the cameras aren’t allowed in the house.”
The camera guy undoes his pants. “No one wants to see this.”
I wipe some sweat off my brow as I finish the last bite.
“I’ve never seen you eat that much.” Matt cocks an eyebrow.
“Maybe I was hungrier because no one was trying to force feed me.”
Everyone else sits frozen but Matt laughs bitterly. “Oh, princess, you need force feeding. Our kid would have come out looking like a tortilla chip if we just left you to your own devices. Pasta, chips, nachos, pizza, and martinis aren’t good for you.”
“Whatever. I never drink and I always eat fruit and veg.”
His gran gives me a stern look from over her glasses. “You don't le
t him tell you what to eat.”
“She doesn't.” He sits back, sighing. “She doesn't listen to anything anyone says.”
“Lies. I eat all that kale and those gross omega eggs. I eat all the stuff he makes me.”
He purses his lips. “What were you eating last week when I came out of the building?”
“What?” I play dumb. I didn't know he’d seen me.
“What was it?”
“Hot dog with sauerkraut and sautéed onions.” I say it defiantly.
“And then what happened?” He’s smug. So smug.
“That wasn't from that.”
He turns to his gran and nods. “She threw up everywhere and then got heartburn for hours. She slept upright.”
“Just means the baby has hair, not that hot dogs are bad.” His gran says it matter-of-factly.
“See!” I point. “I told you that's what it means.”
Matt laughs, tilting his head back. “God, help me.”
“Don't bother asking him for help. You didn't ask his permission before you went and did things no unmarried man has the right to do.” His gran laughs at him.
Bev comes strolling in at that exact moment. “Why does Matty look like he might have a carrot in his ass?”
“Don't say ‘ass,’” Gran scolds. “Because he does.”
Matt glances at Lori, Carson, and Brady. “No help?”
“I don't side against Gran.” Brady holds his hands up.
“Me either,” Lori says over a huge bite of sausage.
Carson looks at me. “I don’t side against Sami.”
“Okay, well I’m gonna go help Gramps. He at least pretends to agree with me.” Matt gets up, chuckling bitterly.
“Take your plate!” Gran shouts, making us all laugh harder.
The whole day is spent busting Matt’s ass over every tiny detail. Later, when I’m exhausted and walking up the stairs for a nap, he catches my hand. “Want me to come tuck you in?”
“Yeah.” I sneak up the stairs quietly. It isn’t that I think we’re fooling his gran, but I don't want to be outright disrespectful.
In the room, he closes the door and leans against it. “I love you.”
“I know.” I scowl. “You okay?”
“Yeah. This whole visit was a good idea, and I wanted to tell you that you were right to come here.”