"Thank you, sweetheart," Mom says. "And, well, that was quite an unexpected birthday, wasn't it?”
My voice is tight, taught, as I try to find words. "It was a lot, Mom," I confess. "I met this guy at the lake, our new neighbor, Anchor, and I thought it was something real, something special, but…"
"Honey, what happened?” Mom asks.
I sit down on my bed, talking to her, brushing the tears from my eyes. "Mom, I gave him my heart."
"Oh baby," Mom says. "Where is he now?"
"He just left. He's had a really hard time with family stuff. His parents died when he was young, and he's been on his own ever since. I think meeting the family last night and everything going on with Grandma, I think it was just too much for him. He couldn't handle it. He doesn't think he can be the man I need."
"But you think he's the man for you?" Mom asks. "Oh, Lemon. Now I really wish I were there." I hear Fig in the background. "Your sister wants to say hello."
"Have I been on speakerphone this whole time?” I ask.
"Yes,” Mom says. "Sorry, Lemon. I didn't realize it was going to get so personal."
"Lem," Fig says.
"Hey," I say, "sorry your spring break trip to LA isn't going as planned."
"Don't think about me, Lemon. You always think about everybody else."
I swallow, knowing she is right.
"So right now, I need you to go see Grandma and give Mom and me an update. Let us know if we need to fly home right away or not. Okay?"
"I know. That's what Mom just asked me to do," I say.
"But, Lem, if this guy melted your heart, then you can't let him go. You know how Grandma Rosie would always tell us to go for a walk and clear our heads? Maybe walk to the hospital, clear your head.”
I start to cry. “I’m scared, Fig. Of losing him.”
“He might be scared of meeting Dad and all our brothers, but what guy wouldn't be? And if he doesn't understand what home means, what family means, well, Lem, maybeyou arethe perfect girl for him because you know what it means deep down in your bones. Maybe you're what this man's been missing his whole life."
Tears fall down my face, refusing to stop. "You got all that from what I just said, because I hardly told you anything about Anchor at all."
"His name's Anchor?" Fig asks.
"Yeah," I say.
"Ah," Fig sighs. "His name's Anchor but he doesn't know how to drop his own and stay put. Lemon, I think it's destiny. You can behisanchor."
"Since when are you talking about falling in love?" I say. "Miss I'm Never Going to Get Married."
"That's what I say about myself, but it's not what I say about you, Lem. You've wanted to be a mom and a wife since you were little. If this guy was special enough to have, well, whatever you guys had together, I'm just thinking he's probably one of a kind."
"Thanks," I say. "I love you both so much, and I miss you. I'm going to go to the hospital right now and I'll let you know what's going on."
"We’ll be here waiting," Mom says. "Truly, Lemon, you're going to give us the truth in ways none of your brothers or your father are capable of. Us Rough girls have to stick together."
I end the phone call, choosing to hold on to a little bit of hope. Maybe Anchor left this morning, but that doesn't necessarily mean he left for good. Maybe Fig's right. Maybe I need to fight for the happily ever after I've been thinking about my whole life. Maybe Anchor needs me to do that for him.
Shortly after, I leave my home and walk the few blocks to Home Sick Urgent Care. I wave to the nurses’ station as they lead me to the room where Grandma's been sleeping overnight.
Outside her door, Dad and Mac are talking to Grandpa.
"Hey," I say. "How is she?" I give Grandpa Woody a big hug, squeezing him tight.