Ah, I knew it—missing Brooke. “I know she’ll be happy to see you.”
“Mom?”
“Hum?”
“When are you coming home?”
“I’m not sure,” Tess answered honestly. “Probably in a few days.” Although, I wish I’d left with Brooke.
Davey sat silently for a minute. He could hear stress in his mother’s voice, and he was sure that he heard sadness. Something had happened. Davey’s mind wandered back to the night he had heard his grandmother tell his grandfather that Brooke was sure to leave his mother. Davey had been devastated. He remembered Brooke coming into his room early the next morning, and he remembered the distress in his mother’s eyes that lingered even after they had boarded the plane to come home. He’d overheard his mother and his grandmother a few times, although he never shared that with anyone. Something had happened; Davey felt it in his bones.
“Davey?” Tess wondered if somehow, she had lost the connection.
“Hold on a sec, okay?” Davey said. He covered the phone with his hand and looked at Rebecca.
“What is it?” Rebecca asked.
“Can we go see Mom?”
Davey’s question shocked Rebecca. “Davey, I think Mom will be home in a few days.”
Davey shook his head with frustration. He lifted the phone again. “Mom?”
“I’m here. Are you okay?”
“Mom, can me and Gram come down there?”
Tess was speechless. Davey’s request was the last thing she expected. “Honey, you have a game on Monday.” It was all she could think to say.
“I can miss it.”
Tess was shell-shocked. What is this about? “Davey, Grandma is really okay; I promise. She’s feeling better already and the doctors feel good about everything.”
Davey wasn’t accepting any of his mother’s arguments. “I think me and Gram should come see you.”
Tess scratched her brow. “Honey, you will be bored here; I think.”
“It’s okay.”
Tess remained at a loss. “Is Gram there?”
“Yep.”
“Can I talk to her for a minute?”
Davey shrugged and made no reply to his mother. He held out the phone to Rebecca. “Mom wants to talk to you.”
Rebecca accepted it. “Why don’t you go see what Grandpa is doing?” she suggested.
Davey shrugged again and got out of his chair. “I think we should go see Mom,” he told her adamantly as he left the room.
“Tess?”
“What was that about?” Tess asked.
“He’s worried about you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” Rebecca couldn’t help but chuckle. Tess never put herself first. She wondered if Tess realized that everyone recognized that, even her children. Davey wanted to take care of his mom. It was that simple.
“I’m all right.”
“No offense, sweetie, but you don’t sound all right to me.”
Tess groaned. She was far from all right and she knew it. “I’m just tired.”
“How’s Mary?”
Tess’s caustic chuckle alerted Rebecca that whatever had Tess upset likely had little to do with Mary Sinclair’s illness.
“Did something happen?” Rebecca asked.
“Nothing out of the ordinary; which, I suppose, should be comforting.”
“Tess…”
“It’s not important.”
“I think it is important. Maybe Davey is on to something.”
“What do you mean?” Tess asked.
“Maybe he and I should come down for a couple of days. We could stay in a hotel.”
“No… Mom… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Really? Why not?”
“It’s just… You know how it can be.”
“That depends on whether you mean dealing with someone in recovery or whether you are talking about the differences you have with your mother.”
“Both. Maybe it’s me who should come home.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Rebecca asked.
“Yes,” Tess admitted. “But I feel like I need to stay a few more days. Maybe I could come home Tuesday night. I just want to give my dad a little break.”
“What about you?”
“I’m used to it.”
Rebecca’s heart sank. “Call me if you need to talk.”
“Thanks. Tell the kids I miss them.”
“They miss you.”
“I’m sure they are enjoying having time away from my poking and prodding,” Tess tried to joke.
Rebecca debated with herself for less than a second before responding. “I think they would welcome that right now.”
Tess closed her eyes as tears began to well in them again. “Well, tell them to enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Tess, I meant what I said. You call me whenever you need to. And, don’t be afraid to say that you need something. Brooke or I will come down there; all you have to do is ask.”
“I know,” Tess said. I do know. “Honestly, I will be okay. I’ll call the kids later tonight.”
“What do you want me to tell Davey?”
Tess sighed. “Tell him I’m excited about his game. I’m so sorry I’m going to miss it. It will give me something to look forward to—hearing all about it Monday night.”
“I’ll tell him. I’ll talk to you later. Call!”
“I promise,” Tess replied. She set the phone down and let her face fall into her hands. What am I going to do?
***
Brooke was surprised to see Davey standing with her father when she passed through the gate at the airport. Davey made a bee-line for her. “Hey, D.”
“Brooke?” Davey looked up at her.
Immediately, Brooke knew something was wrong. “D? What’s wrong?”
“I want to go see Mom.”
Brooke’s gaze narrowed in questioning. She glanced over Davey’s shoulder at her father who shrugged. Brooke and Davey had always shared a unique connection. While he often deliberately tested Tess, he almost always sought to impress Brooke. Brooke had spent long hours with both the twins, but Davey had been the one to confide the most in her. That closeness remained even if Davey had reached an age where he tried to be more reserved when expressing his emotions. Whatever had transpired in the few hours since Brooke had left Florida, it had served to rattle her son. That was not something Brooke intended to take lightly. She put her hand on Davey’s shoulder and squeezed lightly.
“Let’s get downstairs and get my bag,” she suggested. “Maybe we can convince Grandpa to take Ethan home and drop us off for some ice cream. You can fill me in on what’s been going on. What do you say?”
Davey nodded.
Brooke was almost positive that Davey was close to tears. Tears were not something he displayed in front of his parents any longer if he could help it. She felt her heart sway in her chest. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out,” she told Davey. “Okay? I promise.”
Davey nodded again.
What the hell could have happened in four hours?
***
Tess puttered around her mother’s kitchen intent on staying busy. She’d decided to make lasagna. Her reasoning had been that there would be plenty left over that she could freeze for her father. As she continued with her tasks, Tess kept thinking about her conversation with her mother. No matter what she did to distract herself, her thoughts remained preoccupied with her mother’s sentiments. It hurt—the notion that coming to see her parents always felt like a task rather than a comfort. This house felt empty to her. Then again, her parents’ house had felt empty for most of Tess’s life; at least, it had felt that way to Tess.
Two years after her brother’s death, her family had moved to a new house. On some level, Tess understood the decision had been made in the hope of relieving her mother’s grief. She’d heard her father tell her grandmother that there were too many reminders everyday of David. Too many reminders? Tess reveled in
the parts of David that lingered in their home. She liked to sit in his room. Somehow, it always felt to her as though he were standing there watching her. It gave her comfort. When they moved, the only reminder of David in the new house was a picture that sat beside hers on the mantle. That was it—one, single, solitary picture. Everything in their home had become hollow including Mary Sinclair.
Tess opened the refrigerator to put away a few things. Her eyes fell on a bottle of Chardonnay at the back. “You and me have a date,” Tess said as she retrieved the bottle. “You may be the only thing in this house able to keep me sane.”
***
Brooke watched Davey thoughtfully as he played with the ice cream in front of him without ever bringing any to his lips. She’d been trying to decide how to approach his request to travel to see Tess. The last thing she had expected when she arrived home was either of the twins to ask her to return to Florida so they could see Tess. Brooke felt as though she were standing on a high diving board and she wasn’t certain how deep the waters she was about to plunge into ran.
“So,” Brooke began cautiously. Davey’s eyes left the goopy mess in his bowl and met hers. “What’s this about wanting to go see Mom?”
“I don’t think she should be alone.”
“She’s not alone, D. Grandma and Grandpa are there.”
“Yeah, that’s what Gram said.”
Brooke’s forehead creased with concern. Davey’s frustration and misgivings were evident.
“D?”
“She’s upset,” Davey said confidently.
“Who’s upset?”
“Mom.”
“Mom was okay when I left this morning,” she tried to reassure him.
“She was crying.”
Brooke scratched her brow in thought. She’d tried to get Tess on the phone when her flight had landed. She’d been forced to leave a voicemail. In truth, Brooke hadn’t thought much of it. She had just assumed she would catch up with Tess once she got home. Davey’s concerns had sidetracked her from making it home. What am I missing here?
“Did Mom say something?”
Davey shrugged. “She said she was tired.” He saw Brooke nod and made a point to continue. “She was crying when I called. I know she was.”
Davey’s upset gave Brooke reason to be concerned, and not just for her son. She was sure that if anything medically had occurred with Mary, Tess would have called. In some ways, Tess’s lack of contact worried Brooke more than a call that Mary was having a setback would have. Medical setbacks Brooke could deal with. She suspected that if Tess had been crying, it likely was caused by a different kind of setback where Mary was concerned.
“D, I’m sure Mom is okay.”
Davey shook his head. “She’s not. Grandma upset her.”
“Did she say that?”
“No.”
Brooke chewed on her lip. “Why do you think…”
“She always cries when Grandma says something mean.”
Well, I wish I could argue with that. “You know, Mom is tired,” Brooke tried to allay Davey’s fears.
“She’s sad.” Davey looked Brooke straight in the eye. “I want to go see Mom.”
Brooke studied Davey as he held her gaze firmly. He was adamant. “You know, if I were to let Gram take you to see Mom, you would have to miss your game on Monday.”
“I know.”
Brooke was surprised by the steadiness in Davey’s voice. “You’ve been practicing like crazy for that game, D.”
“Mom would do it.”
“Mom would do what?”
“If I was sad, Mom wouldn’t let me be alone no matter what.”
Oh, boy. How do I argue with that? Brooke stroked her chin, bit her bottom lip and finally nodded. “Okay.”
Davey looked stunned.
“You look surprised. If you are willing to sacrifice that game to go see Mom, then I will ask Gram to take you. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Because, D, if I make those arrangements you can’t back out.”
Davey nodded. “You have to work,” he said. “Dani and Grandpa can help with Ethan. Mom needs somebody to help her with Grandma.”
Oh, boy. “Okay,” Brooke said. “But you know, Mom is going to say that she wants you to stay here and play your game. She was upset that she has to miss it.”
“It’s just a game.”
Brooke felt tears stinging her eyes. She loved Davey beyond words. She’d felt pride in his efforts many times. Today, Brooke saw the young man Davey was becoming clearly. She understood there would be many upheavals and challenges in the years to come. Davey sat before her now confident and compassionate beyond his years. He’d been preparing and talking about his first chance to start a game as the pitcher for two weeks. Brooke wouldn’t have thought he would want to give that up for anything. She felt sure as she looked at him that on some level, Davey realized how many times and how many things Tess had sacrificed to take care of their family—to take care of him. Davey didn’t feel obligated; he felt compelled to do the same for his mother.
“Then if you’re sure, I will talk to Gram when we get home.”
“I’m sure.”
Brooke nodded. “Now, eat that sundae before it becomes soup.”
Davey laughed. He moved to take a bite and stopped. “Thanks, Mom.”
Brooke’s tears threatened to spill over. “No, D; thank you.”
CHAPTER SIX
“What?” Tess snapped.
“Tess,” Brooke kept her voice even.
“No. Brooke—no. Davey does not need to come here.”
“Well, I’m afraid this time I have to disagree with you.”
Tess fell silent. Brooke rarely challenged her.
“He needs to come whether it’s what you want or not,” Brooke said. “You didn’t see him, Tess. You didn’t hear him. He needs to see that you’re all right.”
“Then I will book a flight home tomorrow.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Right; no,” Brooke said.
“Are we actually going to fight about this?”
“We don’t need to fight about anything.”
“Good. I will talk to Dad. He’ll understand.”
“I’m sure he will be thrilled to see D.”
“Brooke, I am not…”
“Tess, just stop,” Brooke said firmly. “D knows you. He knows you better than you think he does. Do you want to tell me what happened after I left?”
Tess collapsed back onto the bed. “Does it matter?”
“I think so. It upset you. It hurt you enough that Davey picked up on it.”
“It’s just more of the same,” Tess said.
The defeated tone in Tess’s voice tugged at Brooke’s heart. “Tess…”
“Brooke, I don’t know that it’s a good idea for anyone to be here right now. I don’t even know if it’s a good idea for me to be here right now.”
Brooke rubbed her eyes. “He needs to do this,” she said.
Tess sighed. “That game is important to him.”
“Not as important as you are.”
Tess was at a loss. Brooke’s position on this issue surprised her. Occasionally, Brooke’s feelings or opinions about something happening in one of the twins’ lives differed from Tess’s. Tess couldn’t recall a time when Brooke remained unwilling to compromise. “What did he say that makes you so determined to let Mom bring him down here?”
“It’s not so much what he said as it is the way he said it,” Brooke explained. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you. That’s not…”
“Then you need to trust me that this is something Davey needs to do. And, honestly, Tess? I think it is something you need too.”
Tess closed her eyes. “I think it might be best if I came home.”
“It might be easier. I don’t know that it would be best.” Brooke could feel Tess’s apprehension and distress a thousand miles away. Before Tess could mount another protest,
Brooke continued. “I don’t know what happened. I do know that coming home because of it is not the answer.”
“And subjecting our eleven-year-old son to it is?” Tess bit.
“Maybe.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m totally serious. Davey isn’t stupid, Tess, neither is Dani. They both know that your mother upsets you.”
“I don’t want my issues with my mother to change their feelings for her.”
“On some level, it already has,” Brooke replied. She heard Tess sigh again. “Please, trust me on this.”
“What about Dani?”
“I think Dani will be fine.”
“You know how competitive those two are.”
Brooke chuckled. “I heard Davey tell her that she would need to help me with Ethan so he could help you with Grandma.”
“Davey said that?”
“He did.”
“You really think this is a good idea?”
“I don’t know,” Brooke confessed. “If you mean am I sure that Davey won’t be upset by any of it—your mom’s condition, the tension there—I don’t know. I do know he is determined that he needs to be with you, and I think that you and I need to let him. He’s making a grown-up decision,” Brooke said proudly. “And, a selfless one. Denying him this would be like telling him that’s wrong. We need to let him do this. You need to let him do this.”
“I just don’t want to make anything worse than it already is.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Tess rubbed her temple, hoping to banish a headache that had gone from annoying to raging in the last ten minutes. “She wanted to know what our plans were should anything happen to one of us.”
“Come again?”
“What would happen to the kids if one of us died? That’s what she wanted to know.”
“Let me guess; she didn’t like the idea that the kids would be with me if something happened to you.”
“Actually, I’m not sure that’s what it is. She can’t seem to wrap her mind around the fact that our kids have two mothers and that there is no father to take over. And, Brooke? That isn’t just about that twins.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, I think she was almost speechless when I told her you and I are listed on Ethan’s birth certificate.”
Best Practice (Special Delivery Book 5) Page 8