“So, your parents want to come here?” Her voice squeaks out on the phone the following Wednesday evening when I call her.
“Just my parents, yes. That’s what I said.”
My mom called me again last night and insisted that they’d drive to Kelsey’s place if she was ok with them visiting. I’d nearly forgot that we’d even discussed it with everything happening with Reid.
“I can just come there, it’s really no big deal. I can leave Friday after Reid wakes up, I’ll have to stop off halfway and feed him, let him out of the car seat for a little bit…”
“Kelsey.”
“Huh.”
“Breathe. Honestly, why don’t you let us come there? That way, you’re not driving all that way with Reid, by yourself. It would make me feel better. If you still want to come here, then let me come get you both.”
“Do you know how stupid that sounds? That’s eight hours in the car for you. Insane, Rhys.”
“You’re over thinking it. I gotta go get ready for work tonight. Call me tomorrow morning and let me know what you want to do. But, please, let us come to you, or something,” I lay it on thick, knowing there is a good chance I’ll get my way.
She huffs, “Okay, fine. You’re a pain in my ass. They can come here. I’ll make the place presentable and everything.”
“Kels, your house is fine as is. No need to go all out, they’ll only have eyes for Reid. I promise.”
“Should I make dinner? I should make dinner. Do your parents have any allergies? Favorite dishes? I’m sure I can whip something up.”
“Kelsey!” I say, sterner now. “While your rambling is, endearing, I do have to get to work. And you do not have to cook. We’ll go out or something. Don’t sweat about this, please.”
“Right. Okay, sorry. Yeah. Uh, have a good night at work. We’ll see you this weekend.”
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for doing this, for me,” I tell her genuinely.
“It’s the least I can do,” she says before the call ends.
For the first time, in a while, I feel lighter. And hopeful.
I’m excited to have my parents meet the boy who has stolen my heart too.
* * *
I’m a little later than usual, pulling up to KJ’s house Friday but I’ve got my parents in tow. They’ve been talking excitedly about Reid ever since we got in the car.
As I turn into her driveway, I spot KJ sitting on the porch with Reid in her lap, Lucy at her feet. The look on her face is one that immediately has me concerned. I notice an odd smell as soon as I get out of the car, one that grows the closer to the house we get. KJ locks eyes with me, and I see it. She's about to cry. And I'm pretty sure the awful burning smell is coming from the house.
“Everything okay?” I ask nervously as I reach out for my boy.
“Just fine,” she squeaks out. “But we should probably sit outside for, oh, I don't know, a day or two.”
I give her a hard look. “What did you do?”
“After living on my own for nearly ten years, and cooking my own food for just as long, I managed to burn a turkey. Remember the scene from The Santa Clause where Tim Allen nearly lights the oven on fire,” she hiccups, tears now rolling down her face, “that happened.”
“No,” I gasp, trying really hard not to laugh at the visual.
“Yep,” she pops the ‘p’ before standing and looking over my shoulder to my parents who are standing behind me, waiting. “Excuse me for just a second,” her voice cracks and she darts inside the house, Lucy obediently following her master, no doubt, ensuring she’s all right.
“Well, that was an interesting greeting,” my dad speaks as I turn around with Reid in my arms.
My mom elbows him before quickly making her way to me, looking at my boy with stars in her eyes.
“She’ll be right back. In the meantime, this is Reid.” Pride swells in my chest as I present him to my parents.
“Christ, Son, I think he looks even more like you in person,” my dad’s gruff voice is filled with emotion as Reid wiggles in my arms.
“No denying he’s mine, that’s for sure,” I smile. “Here Mom, grab a seat there, you hold him for one minute and let me go check on his momma.” I kiss Reid’s forehead before handing him off to my mom and stepping inside the house.
Oh yeah, she wasn’t kidding about burning the turkey. The smell is even worse inside the house. Even with the windows open and the fans on in every room, it’s still overwhelming.
I’m not the least bit surprised when she’s nowhere to be found, and her bedroom door is closed. I give it a knock and turn the knob without waiting for an answer. Overstepping a little, I’m sure, but I don’t like seeing her barely holding herself together. I knew she was nervous about my parents coming, to begin with, I don’t want her to feel any worse.
From the doorway, I see her standing at the sink in the master bathroom, splashing water on her face. Her eyes are red and puffy when she turns toward me.
“I’m sorry. One hell of a first impression I’m sure. I didn’t want to make an even bigger fool of myself by completely breaking down out there.”
I move in her direction and take her by the hands pulling her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her. “It’s no big deal. I told you not to go all out for us anyway. Don’t worry about it.”
She buries her face in my chest, and I can barely hear her muffled words. “Yeah, sure. I’m sure they love me. First, I kept your son from you, then I can’t even cook a decent meal, AND I stormed off like a lunatic the moment they got here. No big deal.”
“Hey,” I tilt her head up. “It really is ok. Reid has them captivated. Nothing else matters.”
“If you say so,” more tears roll down her face. “This whole thing is fucked up.”
I can’t help myself, I wipe away her tears with my thumbs then lean in and press a gentle kiss on her lips. “We’ll figure it out.”
She pulls back, and her lips tip upward. I take the opportunity to move past her and further into the bathroom where I reach for a clean washcloth off the shelf and run it under the cold water, before offering it to her. “Take a deep breath, then let’s go back out there so I can introduce you properly.”
KJ snorts but takes the rag and holds it over her face for a few seconds. Eventually, she drops the rag and sighs, pulling her hair down and running her fingers through it before turning back to me. “Let’s do this.”
I smile and take her hand, trying not to drag her to the door.
The sight of my parents, sitting on the front porch rockers, with my son in their arms, stuns me for a moment when we step back outside.
My mom’s grin takes up her whole face as she laughs and coos at Reid. My dad is leaned in, watching them both intently. I can see the love pouring from his eyes. The love for his wife in her role as a grandmother and the love for his grandson who has captivated his audience.
The door shutting behind us interrupts the moment and has everyone looking up at us.
“Mom, Dad – this is Kelsey. Kelsey, Mom, and Dad or Jim and Donna.”
“Hi,” Kelsey gives my parents a shy wave.
I’m not sure what sort of welcome I expected from my parents, but my mom doesn’t disappoint. She’s on her feet and wrapping Kelsey in a one-armed hug while holding tight to Reid. “Oh sweetheart, it is so great to finally meet you! I cannot get over how adorable this little guy is.”
Kelsey looks at me, wide-eyed and nervous. I do my best to comfort her with a smile when my mom finally lets her go.
“Th-thanks. It’s nice to meet you both too. We, uhm, could go inside if you’d like. I have to apologize though. There was a tiny mishap with dinner and well, the house smells as if I tried to burn it down,” she laughs nervously.