The Link

Chapter 30 - Sam

Sometimes you can take humor too far. In our case, we used it to pick our new home. Natalie had said that any old town would do as long as we were together. So I hit the internet and found Old Town, Maine. It was far from anyone who would know us and was surrounded by all the nature we could ever want. Our time in the cabin had given us an appreciation of the woods and the changing seasons, something we wanted continue to surround ourselves with. The fact that the University of Maine was only a short drive away sealed the deal. Getting a degree was still on my agenda.

We had acquired a decent sized house that backed up to the woods. Though the house needed work, Natalie and I instantly thought of it as home. Teegan thought it was an excellent place to explore. The first thing I did was put a latch on the basement door so she wouldn't explore her way down the wooden steps.

The government was more than willing to help settle us. It gave them comfort to know where we were. We took comfort in knowing that they would keep their distance if we cooperated. A legal job miraculously became available in a small firm 20 minutes away in Bangor. They had a sudden influx of government work and needed another associate. It didn't pay as much as Natalie was used too, but the hours were good, and they were instrumental in getting her licensed in the state. We weren't sure how much Lawford, Hickens, and Chapman knew. I suspected their curiosity was held in check by the new dollar signs. It was real work, so Natalie was happy. She enjoyed conversing with other lawyers and fighting the good fight.

We were busy cleaning up the house, checking off tasks on a list prepared by Natalie. Teegan was helping by following us around and making things twice as difficult.

My mother was coming, and Natalie was nervous. Throughout all the changes, the two hadn't met. She got it in her head that she might not measure up. I couldn't convince her that my mother's approval wasn't necessary. Telling her she was already beyond any expectations my mother had for my future was useless. Cleaning seemed the only thing that calmed her nerves.

Our new identities as a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, also afforded us secure transfer of my mother. Giving up her trailer in New Mexico was not a hard sell. The snow in Maine almost dissuaded her, but Natalie's pregnancy sealed the deal. Like us, she had to cut all ties. It wasn't difficult since all her old friends were drunks and she was now sober. She couldn't see them anyway.

I found my mom a small apartment half a mile from our house. I was thinking of having her move in with us, but I didn't want to put that much pressure on Natalie right away. If they hit it off, I would broach the subject. If not, half a mile was close enough.

"I think that's the doorbell," I said with a sigh.

"She's early," Natalie panicked, "I haven't had a chance to shower and there's still dishes in the sink."

"It will be okay," I said. I cradled Natalie's lovely face and kissed her lips softly. I cheated and sent a burst of love through Teegan. I was getting so good at it I didn't have to think about it.

"I should, at least, be clean when I first meet her," Natalie commented.

"She's family," I said, "we'll all see each other at our worst, and, right now, you're as beautiful as ever."

"Liar," Natalie said, moving in front of a mirror. The doorbell rang again. "Oh, don't make her wait," she added, pushing my off so she could primp a few more seconds. I picked up Teegan and headed toward the door.

My mother was in worse shape than Natalie. I could see the fear in her eyes though her smile was real enough when I opened the door.

"Sam!" mom said as I opened the door fully. She had done something different with her hair. It was shorter than when I last saw her and a bit fuller. It looked less haphazard.

"Come in, Mom," I said, "this is Teegan." I bounced Teegan on my arm as if it would help identify who I was talking about. As always, Teegan gave a big smile.

"Oh, she's lovely," mom said in a grandmotherly tone I didn't know she had. She looked around quickly and asked nervously, "where is Natalie?"

"She'll be down in a minute," I said, "she's looking forward to meeting you." I wondered why we never told the truth in these matters. We throw around white lies thinking everyone would be better off not knowing how nervous everyone is.

"I was thinking," mom whispered as she leaned close to me, "maybe Natalie doesn't want me intruding. Maybe my coming here isn't a good idea." I was shaking my head, trying to make it look like it was a silly idea with my smile, "she may not want a woman like me near her children. I wasn't exactly a good mother."

"Nonsense," I said.

"I wouldn't blame her," my mom continued, "she's educated and probably thinks I'll be a bad influence. I don't want to ruin things for you."

"Natalie doesn't..." I started to say.

"She's a lawyer," my mother rambled on, "I dropped out of high school." She put a lot of thought into her argument. "Maybe if I just visit once in awhile and keep my distance." I could see water forming in her eyes. I wanted her to stop. "No one wants an old drunk around their family."

"Mom that's silly..." I started to argue, but my eyes caught Natalie off to the side. Her hand was covering her mouth, and there were tears in her eyes. She must have heard most of it. My mother turned to Natalie, and they both started crying. I had no idea what to do.

The two women faced each other for a moment, then collapsed into each other's arms crying.

"Children need their grandmothers," Natalie sobbed.

"You're so pretty," my mom cried.

"What just happened?" I whispered to Teegan. My two favorite woman were hugging and crying as if I wasn't in the room. I could have sworn they were afraid of each other just a moment earlier. In unison, they opened their arms and beckoned me to join the hug. To be honest, I was hesitant to join. Their faces were still distorted with the crying, and I think they expected me to cry also. I was confused, not tearful. It wasn't as if they gave me a choice, so Teegan and I squeezed in.

Their tears had made me forget about Teegan's new past time. She had gotten into the habit of kissing cheeks, mostly because the affection would make us smile. I didn't have time to warn my mother when Teegan pressed her lips to mom's cheek. Mom's expression changed and her teary eyes widened as the link flowed into her.

"Oh my," Mom said as her smile appeared. She took a step back, separating from us. "The way you described it, I thought it would be more subtle," she said to me, "she really is your daughter."

"She does love him so," Natalie said, wiping her tears and adding a smile.

"How does she do that?" Mom asked, "for a moment, I could see everything so clearly. The love you two share, the problems I thought I had aren't problems at all."

"We don't know," I replied, "we just accept it."

"How come I'm not bleeding like you were?" my mom asked, wiping her nose to make sure.

"Feelings are free," Natalie said almost laughing.

"It's anger and forcing the link that takes a toll," I clarified, "there's no cost in just loving her."

"She must be an angel," Mom said with a big smile. Teegan laughed and reached out for her. Mom took her in her arms without hesitation. Now my eyes teared. Memories from deep in the recesses of my mind awoke. The early years with my mom, before the drinking, when happiness was the order of the day. I saw it on her face again as she held Teegan. Natalie moved next to me and circled her arm around my waist. She sensed my need for closeness, even without Teegan spelling it out. I pulled her close as I enjoyed the mother I remembered.

At that moment, life was perfect.