“Momma!”
“Hey, baby girl!” I have to brace my legs so she doesn’t tackle both of us down to the ground. Instead, I pick her up in my arms, and she wraps her legs around my waist as I soak in the smell that is Claira. It’s the combined scent of our laundry detergent, the shampoo in her hair, and the underlying hint of sunshine on her skin. She must have been outside with my mom working in the garden.
Clairabella is the spitting image of me, from her red hair to her deep grey eyes, pouty lips, and even her sassy attitude. God, am I thankful for that every day. I could never imagine not seeing her smiling face or hearing her giggle like crazy when I sing our special good morning song, yet that’s what Claira’s dad gave away when he willingly signed over his rights the day she was born. That’s okay, though. I have enough love to give her, and our family makes sure she never misses out.
“Did you have a good day with Gran and Pop?”
“Only the best, well, besides school, of course. I even got to ride with Auntie Pres since Uncle Linc had the boys.” Her pin-straight hair swooshes as she talks to me.
“That is awesome. I have some great news to tell you, but first, I need to talk to Gran and Pop. Plus, I have your favorite for dinner in the car.”
Her arms go up, and she wiggles down until she does her happy dance. “Thanks, Momma. You’re the best.”
“Sure, you just want your dinner, huh?” I tickle her side as I chase her up the driveway and toward the house.
“Gran, Pop! Mom is here.” We walk down the hallway that leads to the back patio where my dad is reading the newspaper, and my mom is working on the flower bed outside of the screened-in porch.
“Hey, snookums.” I go toward him, giving him a hug.
“Hey, Pops. Hey, mom,” I respond. She takes her gloves off before coming inside the patio to get a hug as well.
“Hey, you’re here earlier than normal.” Mom kisses my cheek, and I return the gesture.
“About that… Hey, Claira, can you go make sure your bag is ready, then play on your iPad for a few minutes? I need to talk to Gran and Pops, and then we’ll head home.” I give her a wink, and her grin widens.
“Oh shit, what happened now?” Dad grunts.
“You might be disappointed in me, but I turned in my resignation letter, and today was my last day. I have enough in my savings to last until I find another job, but after that jerkwad tried to tell me I couldn’t have the afternoon off for Claira’s recital, I was done. It was the final straw.” I blow out the rest of the air I have saved up out. It’s something I’ve done for as long as I can remember; it used to drive my mother batty until my father told her it’s the exact same thing she does when she gets worked up.
“Well, we support you no matter what. I can’t say that I blame you. The past two years haven’t been fair to you or Clairabella,” my mom says. Okay, this is not going as I expected.
“He’s lucky I don’t go up to that fancy pansy office of his and shove my boot up his ass. I know you don’t want to hear it, you’re a lot like your mother and me, but our home is open if things get tight.” I go to say something, but he raises his hand, and I stop. “Or, you know, we can give you a loan. Not saying you’ll need it because we didn’t raise you not to stand on your own two feet, just know we love you and we’re here for you.” With that, he stands, walks over, and wraps his arms around me. As much as I don’t want to break down in front of my parents, it’s much-needed; while my dad holds me, I cry on his shoulder until I’m all cried out.
“I love you both so much. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help me out. I have money saved, I swear, but I want to spend more time with my daughter besides the weekends. I’m not saying this to take her away from you because she’d fight me on that alone, but I would love to be able to spend a couple of days and spoil the shit out of her. You know, like you guys do,” I say with a laugh.
“You rascal, we don’t spoil her with anything but love,” my mom says with her own chuckle, knowing she’s full of crap.
“We love you and that little girl. We’d do anything for you. Now, go on home. I’m going to take your momma out for dinner.” He winks, but I know it’s a bittersweet moment for them, too.