I hopped in my car and drove to my parents’ house after shooting Mom a text to get Tiff ready. I wanted to start our weekend with a day at the park, then maybe we’d drive to the city tomorrow to their indoor pool. The season was definitely warming up, but not enough for outdoor swimming.
My parents’ house was not the normal breath of fresh air. Mom had been on my case so much about dating and stuff that I dreaded what she might have to say when I went in.
“Hey, pumpkin.” She was at the stove, stirring something for lunch. “Hungry? Tiffany is cleaning up an art project with Papaw.”
“Sure, thanks.” She dished out a bowl of her family-famous taco soup. “Oh, man. This smells amazing.” I breathed it in and relaxed a little. She hadn’t started about dating, so that was a good sign.
I relaxed too soon. The moment I had a bite in my mouth, she started in. “So, you’re here early. Are you sure you don’t want to leave Tiff? Maybe make a night of it?”
And here it came. “Mom, please,” I mumbled. “Don’t start.” I swallowed my bite and glared at my mother.
“Well, do you have any dates lined up anytime soon?” She raised her eyebrows and plopped the spoon down on the stove. She was aggravated with me.
But damn it, I was aggravated with her. “Mom! Stop it. If I decide to date, you’ll be the first to know. For now, I’m happy just as I am.”
“Don’t you want to find love? You’re not getting younger, Bethany.” She started with her mom voice. “Tiffany would benefit from a strong father figure, and you’d benefit from having someone to love and cherish you.”
“I don’t need a man!”
“Of course you don’t need a man, darling. But trust me when I say it’s much preferable to have a companion.”
She sighed and put her hands on the island across from me. “Is it girls? Do you prefer women? Because that’s fine, honey, I don’t mind.”
I glared at her.
“Really, if you’re gay, just let me know. Your father and I discussed it and we’re happy if you’re happy.” She looked so earnest and concerned that my irritation evaporated.
I burst out laughing. She was the biggest busybody, but I knew she only did it because she loved me. “Mom, I love you. It’s not girls. I’m not gay. I’m content being alone for now.”
Her face didn’t reflect my humor. “I want more grandchildren, Bethany, and you’re my only child. It’s all on you.”
I grimaced and finished my soup. She continued to rattle around the kitchen and go on about grandbabies and companionship. Ignoring her, I scrolled through one of my social media accounts.
“Are you listening to me?”
Mom’s voice sounded irritated again. I jerked my face out of my phone and stared at her guiltily. “Sure, yeah.”
“I said you’re going to end up a crazy old cat lady.”
Enough was enough. “Mother, if I decide to be a spinster, that is my problem. I know you are on my case out of a place of love, but enough is enough. It’s time to stop.”
She stared at me for a few seconds, but I didn’t back down.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll let it go.”
“Thank you.”
“For now.”
I sighed, but it was the best I was going to get from her. She spent the rest of my visit talking about work, Dad, and Tiffany. The reprieve made me relax again. By the time we left, I wasn’t irritated with her any longer and gave her a tight squeeze. “See you Monday.”
She kissed my cheek. “Love you,” she whispered.
After losing Kyle, I was so appreciative to still have both my parents in my life. Things could’ve been a lot worse.
I talked to Tiffany all the way to the park, then had to just about tie her down to get sunscreen on her before letting her go wild. She was only three but loved the slide. Since she navigated it well, I let her play here at this park that seemed more frequented by older children. Most looked eight or so.
We’d been there nearly an hour when a scream jerked my attention away from Tiffany. A little boy had fallen off the swing set. I jumped up, prepared to go help his mom if he was seriously hurt.
When he stood and walked away from the swings hand in hand with his mother, I relaxed and sat back down. Tiffany’s shrill voice sent my heart into a stronger panic. “Mommy, help!”
I ran toward the jungle gym. “Where are you?” I called.
“The monkey bars. Help!”
How had she gotten all the way around there and on the monkey bars in the few seconds I was looking at the swings? I rounded the jungle gym to find her hanging off of one of the first bars. “How did you get up there?”
“I’m slipping!”
I darted forward, running as fast as I could over the sandy bottom of the play area. Like I had tunnel vision, I saw her hands slipping off the bars, one finger at a time. I wouldn’t get to her in time. There shouldn’t have been any possible way she could’ve gotten over here this fast.
Like a ghost appearing out of nowhere, Maddox darted under Tiffany and caught her just as she let go. He whirled her around, settling her into my arms as I ran up. I sat her on the ground and looked her over, but she was no worse for the wear, except for being scared. As soon as I was sure she was fine, I pulled her close and stood with her arms wrapped around my neck and her little sniffles in my ear.
“Thank you,” I said in amazement. “Where did you come from?”
He pointed toward the trail. “I was running.”
Belatedly, I realized he was covered in sweat. His moisture-wicking shirt was drenched, and he had beads of sweat all over his face. “How far did
