Lethe Vita

Chapter 36

She had accurately anticipated parenting would be difficult.

What she hadn't anticipated was that it would be less difficult than she had expected.

Were her screams to return, they would not have drowned out her daughter's cries, for Aria's every cry served as a needle thrust into Brenda's soul.

When Brenda cried, Aria cried, and when Aria cried, Brenda cried.

Dylan and Brandon had experienced a hell of a time trying to bring a smile to Brenda's face, and in turn Aria's, when Valerie left Finland with David and Clare followed suit with Steve shortly after.

Clare's was to be a short visit, they reminded Brenda.

And she could still speak to Valerie by phone, Kelly had thrown in.

"I don't know what's come over me," Brenda had said as she had taken comfort in Dylan. "I really thought I was ready for her to leave."

"You got used to having her around," said Dylan, "and the last time she wasn't, you understandably worried over her a lot. It's probably still too fresh."

"It is, but I shouldn't break down over it," said Brenda. "Aria doesn't like it when I cry."

"Aria takes after her Daddy that way," said Dylan.

"Valerie. David. Steve. Clare. Donna. They're all gone," said Brenda as she had lightly wiped Aria's nose. "All of them."

"I'm here," said Dylan.

"So am I," said Brandon.

"And me," said Kelly. "You know what Clare said. She'll be back soon enough."

"You all said Val would be back soon enough, and she almost missed Aria's birth," Brenda had pointed out.

"Pretty sure Clare isn't gonna get thrown in jail," said Brandon. "Silver said they'd call us as soon as they land."

"Clare told us that, too," said Kelly.

"Aria misses them already," said Brenda.

"Aria, or her mommy?" Dylan had asked.

"Both," Brenda had said.

"Maybe Kel and I should postpone our trip," said Brandon.

Brenda had negated the suggestion.

"It's a lot of change for you all at once, us all being gone," said Brandon.

"Yeah, Bren, your brother and I have plenty of time to travel," said Kelly. "If you need us to be here, then we'll postpone."

"Brandon's done plenty for me," said Brenda. "He deserves some time away and Kel, you've been looking forward to your trip."

"I've been looking forward to finding out where Brandon has in mind for it, since he refuses to tell me," said Kelly.

"Oh, does he now?" Brenda had glanced pointedly at her husband.

"I don't know what you mean," Dylan had said with an unconvincing whistle.

"No wonder you're best friends," Brenda had said to both men.

"We're not," said Brandon.

Dylan had attempted, and failed, to conceal his bewilderment.

"We're brothers," said Brandon. "Last I checked, that far surpasses best friend."

"Then Dylan can be my best friend," said Brenda.

"That's good, 'cause I kinda sorta thought I already was." Dylan had nuzzled Brenda's face, as Aria had chosen to press her head against Dylan's hand.