Yes Please || c.g. {complete}

Mama Drama

73

.Layla.

Toward the end of February, Debbie and Stella were texting me nonstop about the baby shower they were throwing me. Baby blue or turquoise, cake or cupcakes, one or two games?

I laughed to myself as I set my phone down. It was a Saturday morning, and I was attempting to read a few chapters on environmental science. The shower was still a month out; they had plenty of time to figure out all the little details.

They'd already sent invitations, and they were adorable: a little elephant giving itself a shower with its trunk and an announcement about "Little Gallagher." I glanced over at the one they'd given me, hanging on the fridge. I frowned when I realized there wouldn't be one of these on my mom's fridge. Even if they'd sent her one, she likely wouldn't want to be reminded of her pregnant daughter. The shower planning made me long for my mom; this was an occasion a mother and daughter should experience together.

I sighed and shook my head. I am not doing this to myself right now. I pushed my mother from my thoughts and went back to the dry reading on chlorofluorocarbons.

.....

.Carl.

I tapped my foot nervously as I waited at the restaurant for her. I was on my lunch break and still in my uniform; the waitress was being extra nice and flirty. I once thought the cornrows were a turn on for girls; this uniform was like catnip.

I smiled at her as she brought me a refill of my coke. "Thanks."

"Of course," she beamed. "Are you still waiting on your date?"

I shook my head. "Oh, she's not my date, but yes."

The girl got a hopeful look in her eyes and smiled bigger before walking back to the register.

I laughed and shook my head, almost forgetting about the nerve wracking situation looming ahead.

"Carl?" came her voice.

I turned and stood. "Hi, Mrs. Bond."

Layla's mom smiled and hugged me. I was taken aback, and I was glad she couldn't see the look on my face. I slowly wrapped my arms around her to reciprocate.

"You look so handsome in your uniform. It must mean you've finished the academy. Congratulations," she smiled. Layla looked so much like her. The resemblance made me keep my cool when I wanted to tell her off.

"Thanks," I replied stoically.

"Carl, I am so glad you called," she sighed as we both sat down. "Our last encounter was regrettable."

I nodded. "I did it for Layla."

She looked sad. "I've wanted to reach out to her, Carl, I have."

"Why haven't you?" I asked, sipping my coke.

"I haven't known how," she admitted, looking down.

"She's 26 weeks pregnant," I said dryly. "My sister and Stella are planning her baby shower."

Her mom looked up at me and I saw tears forming.

I took a deep breath. "I'm here because I'm asking you to come to it."

She wiped a tear and shook her head. "Carl, honey, she doesn't want me there. Not after how I've acted."

"Yes, she does," I argued. "You are her mother. I may not forgive you for how you've abandoned her, but she loves you. She needs you right now."

Her mom sniffed, wiping her eyes with her napkin.

I saw the waitress eyeing our table, looking like she was waiting to come back over.