Discomfort (Part 2)

*ERIC*

Two cars.

Three people carrying the same destination.

Three completely different silences.

As I pulled onto the road toward my parents’ house, I couldn’t shake the feeling that dinner wasn’t going to end the way any of us hoped.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew what I didn’t want.

The tension was so thick it felt wrong walking inside someone else’s home like that.

I slowly pulled into the driveway, stretching every agonizing minute. Jamira placed her hand on top of mine.

I let out a deep breath that I’d been holding the entire ride over. I stopped the car and got out. As I walked over to the passenger side to let Jamira out, my heart started beating fast as my anticipation grew.

I forced a smile on my face as I grabbed her hand and led her to the door.

This time, we showed ourselves inside. My dad was on the couch watching football while yelling out to my mom, who was in the kitchen finishing up dinner and preparing dessert.

“Kitty, your kids are here!”

I reached around and hugged his neck from behind.

We then went to the kitchen to talk to my mom.

She greeted us with a hug that felt like it was from the sun itself. She looked down as she hugged Jamira.

“Oh my! When did this happen?”

Shit! I haven’t gotten around to getting over here sooner to tell her.

“About six months ago.”

“Six months?! Eric, when were you going to tell me?” She said as she swatted at me with her dishcloth.

“I wanted both of us to be able to tell you.”

“A phone call is enough too, Eric, sheesh.”

“Can we help you with anything?”

“She can have a seat. You can go set the table.”

I nodded as she continued with finishing up.

I could hear her and Jamira chatter just within earshot. I smiled at her, asking about motherhood and her intentions for me. I couldn’t fully make out what Jamira said, but I glanced up a few times to see my mom smiling and nodding. That was enough to let me know she approved.

Before I could fully sit with the feeling of ease, I could hear my dad yelling again.

“Kitty! The girl’s here!”

My body tensed. My eyes stayed focused on setting the table. I could feel irritation creeping up and settling in.

It didn’t take long for my mom to pop out with the dishes of food in her hands.

“Kacie…you came.” She said, smiling.

“Yeah.”

She said it so flat that we all kind of looked at her.

“Kacie, could you go and get the rest of the food and help me set it out?”

Kacie dragged herself into the kitchen. Her attitude was evident, but neither of us wanted to speak about it at the time.

I went and grabbed Jamira from the kitchen and sat her in a chair beside mine. She reached under the table and held my hand.

When everyone was seated and we were all about to bow our heads, there was a loud bang from the living room followed by that hearty laugh we’d all come to love.

“Well, what do we have here? Another Wilkes family dinner without an invite for me.”

“That’s because you always show up. Do your parents ever cook?” asked my dad bluntly.

“I grew up with their food; it’s a bit lackluster now. Besides, don’t you guys just love when I’m here?”

My mom just nodded and motioned for him to take a seat at the table. He sat next to Kacie on the opposite side of Jamira and me.

At first, dinner was silent outside of our usual shuffling and occasional sips. Then my dad, being my dad, broke the silence.

“So, Kacie, where’s the kid?”

“Kayla?”

“Yeah, her.”

“She’s with her dad and his mom for the weekend.”

“We haven’t seen her in a month of Sundays, and I was starting to think you didn’t have her anymore.”

She rolled her eyes at him.

“You could always get her if you want.”

“I didn’t say all that. I was just curious.”

We all let out a dry laugh.

When dinner was over my mom went and got dessert.

It was her famous cherry pie bars with vanilla ice cream. We all stuffed our faces with the delicious treat.

After everyone was done eating my parents cleaned up as Jamira and Walt sat in the living room talking about lord knows what and I went out back with Kacie.

I swallowed hard before I approached her. I’d rehearsed the words in my mind a million times and when I got to her every single word disappeared into the ethers.

“Kace… I need to—“

She turned around with tears in her eyes and cut me off.

“We need to talk.”

I nodded while looking directly at her.

“I didn’t know how to tell you this… but I’ve been looking for my own place.

My stomach sank and my heartbeat blared through my ears.

“Kace…”

She wiped her eyes as she continued.

“I knew this day would come… just not so soon.”

“I feel…”

“Let me finish. I want you to be happy and although I’ve struggled with my decision… I think it’s time to be on my own and be a better mom to Kayla.”

“Kacie, I wasn’t trying to put you out.”

“I know.”

“Are you sure? Have you found somewhere to go? You can stay in the condo… I could move.”

“Eric you’re overthinking again. I found an apartment not too far from where you are now so if you want to see Kayla you can.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I saw the boxes and I thought I—“

She stopped me again.

“Eric. Breathe. It’s a new start for us and you deserve to be happy dummy.”

She tried to smile through the tears and more streamed as she tried to wipe them away.

She reached out and softly grabbed my arm while looking me in the eye.

“You be good to her. She’s a good one. And when she has that baby you call me. Right away.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I just need your support and maybe your truck.”

We both awkwardly chuckled and hugged.

“Deal.”

We went back inside to join Walt and Jamira on the couch.

“You got a feisty one here.” Walt said while pointing at Jamira.

“Trust me, I know.” I laughed.

For the first time in a long time everything felt right and calm like pieces were falling into place.