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Blah, blah, blah.
That was all I heard when Taylor opened her mouth. I'm sure she was talking about something important, but my mind was occupied by something else.
Thaïs was making dinner tonight, which was crazy because usually, I cooked for us. She claimed she wanted to try out a new recipe. I was worrying and lowkey praying that she wouldn't burn down my kitchen, but that wasn't the reason I couldn't stay focused.
When we were in New York, Lita had given Thaïs a recipe book. She said that she had it made just for Thaïs so that she would be able to make family recipes and pass them down to her children. When Lita said that, Thaïs just smiled and thanked her, not even an argument that she didn't want kids.
I thought it was because she didn't want to argue with her grandmother. After all, Lita was very feisty. But then I remembered that the day before, when I mentioned that we were going to start a family, she didn't say anything at all.
I tried to think nothing of it. Thaïs had a knack for smiling and agreeing with everything someone said just to avoid an argument. It kind of annoyed me how nonconfrontational she was. But still, deep down in my heart, I knew Thaïs was coming around to the thought of having kids.
Before Lita had given Thaïs the book, she pulled me aside and told me to be patient with her. That she saw the way Thaïs so gently handled one of her infant cousins and didn't want to give her back to her mother when it was time to go.
That memory made my heart ache in the best way. Thaïs could be stubborn, but I knew her better than anyone—better than she wanted to admit sometimes. She was coming around, even if she wasn't ready to say it out loud yet.
I glanced at my phone again, checking the time. Taylor was still talking, but her words barely registered. My mind was stuck in that moment, picturing Thaïs cradling that baby, the soft look in her eyes, the way she held on just a little longer than necessary.
Maybe she didn't realize it yet, but I did.
She was going to be a mother one day. And when she was ready to say it, I'd be right there, waiting.
"Mariah! Are you listening?"
The sound of Taylor's palms slamming against the table pulled me from my thoughts. I sat up straight in my chair, clearing my throat like a student who had gotten called to the principal's office.
"Say it again," I urged, not wanting to admit that I had zoned out at least five minutes ago.
Taylor let out a deep sigh, squeezing her eyes shut. "Did you hear anything I just said?" she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose like she was seconds away from losing her patience. "Because it was a mouthful."
I went to shake my head no, but before I could even move, Taylor was already speaking again. "I was saying I got you booked for three festivals this summer. And in even better news: you'll be headlining at the festival you wanted in June."
