Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Aubrey,” Jack says in a dismissive sort of way, as his eyes sweep the room filled with friends and family.
“Where’s Lyra?” Pauline asks, looking around as well.
“My sister took her up to her room to help change into the birthday dress Joe brought. She should be back down in just a couple of minutes,” I reply, then add, “There’s lots off food. Please make yourselves at home.”
They don’t respond to my statement. They also don’t grab plates for food. Instead, they walk to one of the empty corners in the room away from everyone else and lean against the wall.
I know I won’t be able to do anything to make them feel welcome, so I leave them and everyone else in the dining room and head to the kitchen. Once I’m done placing the candles in the top of the cake, I pick it up and grab a book of matches, along with Ly’s birthday gifts from me.
Before I make it to the kitchen doorway, Denver comes into view and I instantly go on alert. “Let me help with that.” He takes the cake from me, and without another word, he walks toward the dining room. I light the candles when I hear Pen shout out that she and Ly are coming down, and Shel turns out the lights. As soon as Ly arrives in the doorway, wearing a pink T-shirt with her name in glittery writing and a poufy skirt, we all sing “Happy Birthday” to her, which makes her face light up with glee. Tears start to burn the back of my throat, and I fight to keep them at bay. It’s times like these I miss Gabe the most. Holidays have become easier over the years, but it’s hard to think about what Ly is missing out on with her dad not being here to celebrate with us. When the song comes to an end, Ly blows out the candles then sticks her fingers in the cake, taking a swipe of icing and making us all laugh when she shoves her fingers in her mouth. She smiles from ear to ear.
“Can I open my gifts now?” Ly asks, bouncing on her toes while eyeing the stack of presents against the wall.
“Sure, honey.” I kiss the side of her head before she gets down to open her gifts then take my camera from Shel so I can get some pictures of her. When she’s done opening presents and thanking everyone, people start to take off and I begin to clean up. As I’m gathering up empty plates and cups, Pauline comes into the dining room and starts to help—something that shocks me. Then she opens her mouth, and I know she’s trying to be helpful to soften me up.
“We’d really like to take Lyra to Nevada for a couple weeks this summer,” she says, and my lungs start to feel funny. “My mother is ill and I’m afraid that if she doesn’t meet her great-grandma now, then she never will.”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. I don’t like the idea of being away from my baby for a night, much less a week. Since she was born, she’s rarely been gone overnight, and even then, she is just right next door at my parents’ place.
“She should get to know her dad’s family. Gabe would have wanted her to spend time with his grandparents, would have wanted her to meet his family.”
As guilt starts to settle in the pit of my stomach, I wonder if he would have wanted that. He never really spoke about his family outside of his parents, and I wouldn’t even say he and his parents were close. They had a strange relationship, one I never really understood.
“I need to think about it.” I don’t really need to think about it, but I don’t want to have this conversation right now, not with people around, and not when I feel put on the spot.
“We are her family too, Aubrey. Even with Gabe gone, we are still her family.” Her words make my stomach hurt.
“I know, Pauline, and like I said, I’ll think about it. I just don’t know. She’s still young, and we have never been apart for more than a night over the last four years,” I say quietly.
“Did you ask her?” Jack questions, coming into the dining room right then, and I look at him.
“I did. She’s going to think about it.”
“Good.” He gives me a nod of approval. “Let’s tell Lyra bye and head out.”
“Sure.” She hands me the stack of paper cups she’s picked up. “Let me know what you decide. I plan on booking our tickets in the next few weeks, so if you could let us know sooner than later, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll let you know,” I agree, and she nods then leaves with her husband. I move to the hall and watch them say goodbye to Ly, feeling my stomach twist when she holds herself back from hugging them like she did everyone one else who came to celebrate her birthday.