The Side Effects of Marriage

chapter 10

"Mrs. Song," Layla said, plopping her mug down on the coffee table with a plunk. She stood, walking toward the foyer where Hayden was conversing with his mother. "I didn't know you were planning on visiting!"

"Yes, Mom." Hayden narrowly evaded--though not by much--his mother's hug by pawning her off onto Layla. She glared at him over his mother's shoulder, which he promptly ignored, as Mrs. Loretta Song kissed her daughter-in-law's cheek, gripping her in a tight hug. Layla winced, buried in a cloud of white linen and Chanel perfume. "You could have called."

"Do I need to have an engraved invitation to visit my son?" Loretta Song said, releasing Layla much to her relief. "And my daughter-in-law?"

"No, of course not," Hayden said hastily. "You know you're always welcome. I just, um, wish you had told me so I could pick you up at the airport."

The older woman waved a dismissive hand. "No, no. I don't want to take you away from your work. I'm sure the two of you are very busy."

Her second sentence sounded like an accusation: very busy not giving me grandchildren. Layla planted her hands on her hips. If only you knew.

"Let me take your jacket, Mom," Hayden said, retrieving his mother's white blazer and going to hang it up. Of course, leaving Layla alone with her mother-in-law.

"So, Mrs. Song, how have you been?" Layla said brightly. The older woman had never invited her to call her Auntie Loretta, and Layla wasn't about to start.

"Good, good," said Mrs. Song as she fiddled with her Coach purse, the obnoxiously tacky logo gleaming against the grosgrain leather. "So, tell me, how have you been? You look a bit pale. Are you sick?"

"Just tired." She curled her toes against the hardwood floor, feeling cold. Layla realized she'd forgotten to put her slippers back on.

Loretta's eagle-eyed gaze followed the slightest whiff of motion, and she glanced down at Layla's feet. "Your feet are awfully swollen. You're pale. Tired. Have you had your period recently?"

None of your business.

"No..." She could not remember the last time that any older maternal figure had been so invasive in her questioning. Layla folded her arms over her chest just as Hayden came back into the foyer.

"What are the two of you talking about?" he asked, casting a glance between them.

"Girl stuff," Layla said.

Unfortunately, at the exact same time, Loretta said, "Your wife might be pregnant."

"I didn't want to tell anyone," she said quickly, refusing to look at Hayden. "I was worried..."

Loretta patted her on the shoulder, suddenly the very picture of maternal affection and motherly love. "Of course, I understand. You didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. But no worries! I've come at just the right time, it seems, because I can help take care of you."

Layla felt the blood drain from her face. Visions of Mrs. Loretta Song forcing her to stay propped up on pillows drinking ancient Korean herbal remedies swam before her eyes. "How long will you be staying?"

"As long as I'm needed," Loretta said, still smiling. "I'm sure neither of you would mind, right?"

"No, of course not," Hayden said. "I could probably take a few days off work... Show you the sights..."

"Nonsense, I've been to DC many times before," Loretta said dismissively as she began walking around like she owned the place, poking her head into the kitchen. "I'll just be here, helping out. I mean the state of your house, well, it's a bit dusty. And are you using paper towels instead of cloth napkins? You know I say, cloth napkins are more environmentally friendly than paper--"