Maybe she thought our relationship will never mend.
“You have nothing to apologize to me for, Kirk. I have made enough mistakes in my lifetime to not deserve an apology from my son. I am just glad I’m still a part of your life.”
I shake my head. “We can talk at length about all your mistakes, Mom, but that is not what this conversation is about. I think there’s a part of me that understands you better now. You tried to do the best you could. For Reed and me.”
“I didn’t do the best…” she begins to say, but I interrupt her.
“I’m going to be a father.”
She clamps her mouth shut, and I see the tears filling her eyes now.
“Oh, Kirk!” she comes towards me, and I stand up so we can hug.
“I am so happy to hear it. When? Who with? When is the baby coming?” She wipes her tears with the backs of her hands. She’s smiling now, and so am I.
“It’s still early days. We have a long time to go and enough time for you to get to know Kim. She’s my girlfriend. I’m in love with her.”
Mom hugs me tighter, swaying me gently in her arms as I laugh.
“You have no idea how happy this makes me, honey. Your father would have been so happy too. Two Silvers babies. I will have two grandchildren. My heart is going to explode!”
She releases me, and her cheeks are still damp. My heart is close to exploding too. This is the first time in a long time that I have been able to move past all the complications of my family and just appreciate what I have.
And this has all been possible because of Kim. She has given me a new lease on life. A new reason to live and celebrate life. She has helped me see the value of what I already have. I don’t have to go out looking for adventure anymore.
“I can’t wait to meet this special woman who has brought my Kirk to his knees!” Mom exclaims.
27
Kim
Kirk has asked for second helpings, and that’s the biggest compliment my mom can receive. She’s so happy and fussy around him, offering him thirds and a big serving of dessert. Daddy is very curious about his work, and they talk business for a while. It’s strange for me to see Kirk in my childhood home. He looms so big and tall here; his presence is powerful.
He’s sitting beside me at the dinner table, and every so often, he reaches for my knee under the table to give it a squeeze. My parents are happy to meet him, they’re even happier that I’m not going to go through motherhood alone. I wasn’t sure if they’d wholly approve of him, given our age difference and the fact that he used to be my boss. However, Kirk has been nothing but charming and polite. My parents can see the love and mutual respect that exists between us, and I know they’re delighted we’ve been able to move past our hurdles.
After dinner, while Daddy loads the dishwasher, Kirk offers to help him as Mom and I take our teas to the living room.
“He’s so nice, honey. He’s more than nice; he’s perfect!” she says when we settle on the couch.
“He is, isn’t he? I’m very happy, Mom.”
She pulls me in to kiss my forehead.
“And I can already see he’s going to be an amazing father to this baby,” she adds, and I blush.
This is all I wanted to hear.
I clear my throat and she looks up at me.
“Mom, I’m very sorry if I’ve disappointed you and Daddy,” I begin. This conversation has been a long time coming. Every time I’ve tried to say the words, I haven’t had the courage, but tonight I do because Kirk is here. He gives me the strength I need.
“You haven’t disappointed us, my love. You’ve just taken a different path from the one we planned for you.”
“I know how hard you and Daddy tried to train me to have a good prosperous career. You wanted that life for me.”
“And you can still have that if you want…and if you don’t, that’s okay too,” she says with a smile.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and I feel like I have this chance of making a family. That’s the life I’ve always wanted for myself.”
Mom nods. She holds my hand. “And that is exactly what we want for you too!”
Daddy and Kirk come in at that time.