The Dream Is Not Over

Liv & Riv

River arrives some time in the afternoon and Lindsey is out. He left right after breakfast and I haven't seen him since. I take a breath before opening the door, not wanting to worry my perceptive son.

"Hey, Mom!" River says, hugging me.

"And who is this?" I ask, looking at the young woman clinging to his hand.

"This is Olivia."

"Please, call me Liv!" She launches herself at me, hugging me tightly. She smells like summer, a bright citrus infusion of blood orange, sparkling grapefruit and uplifting lemon. She pulls back, absolutely beaming. "I've heard so much about you. I mean, obviously, you're Stevie Nicks!" She giggles. "But River has gone on and on about his totally awesome mom."

"Oh, well, I hope it's all good things."

"Of course." River says.

"Well, come inside. Make yourself at home." I close the door behind the couple, taking in every detail I can about the girl who will be replacing me in my baby boy's life. She's wearing high waisted bellbottom jeans with the seams creating a large star over her behind, a cropped white, long sleeved peasant blouse with flowery embroidery around the neck and high platform shoes. Her long suede bag sits low on her body, beaded fringe hanging off it. There's something so familiar about the long haired blonde but I can't put my finger on it. She sits down on the couch, cuddling into River. Her large brown eyes fix on me and she smiles.

"Wow, you have a beautiful home!"

"Thank you. Would you like tea, coffee or water?"

"Just water for me, but Liv would probably like some of your herbal tea you always make."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" She kisses his cheek and his eyes light up. I can tell he loves her. "May I help?"

She's polite and I like that. "Sure, come this way." She gets up, leaving her bag on the couch with River and follows after me to the kitchen. I grab a tall glass and two tea cups from the cupboard and I turn to see Olivia filling the kettle at the sink. She places it on the burner and turns the heat up. "Tell me a little about yourself."

"I'm really not very interesting."

"Oh, sure you are. Go ahead."

"Okay. Well, I was born here in California. I was raised on a commune and spent my entire childhood learning how to do macrame, beading and making natural soaps, oils and lotions."

"That's so fascinating!"

"Thank you. My mom and dad met at a free speech rally at Berkeley their first year there and they just clicked. They both dropped out and moved to the commune I mentioned before. They never married, something about not being pressured to conform to societal rules, but they're common law. I'm their only child."

"Incredible! River is our only child as well."

"I know! And I think that's what bonded us, besides the fact that he said you and his father are free spirited people too, real hippies just like my folks. He showed me a few pictures from when you two were young and wow, you are just like Riv and I now." The kettle sings and she pours the water into our teacups. I fill two steepers with my favorite loose tea and place them in our cups as well. She fills River's glass and carries her cup as well as his into the living room. "There you go, honey"

"Thank you, angel." She smiles and sits down with him again. I sit in the chair opposite the couch and put my tea down. "Where's dad?"

"I don't know, dear, but he will be back for dinner I'm sure."