Part 34 (1/2)
”I never noticed how much you look like her. Now that you're older, I guess it shows.”
”I hope I haven't interrupted.”
”No. I mean Mom's going to watch the kids while Mark and I-What am I saying? I can't believe you're here.”
”I'm here.”
”You've changed.”
”I was eighteen when you left.” In spite of her efforts, her voice cracked.
”Yeah,” Reba said faintly.
”But you. No one would know you've had three kids.”
Reba flushed. ”Four actually. Robbie was born three months ago.”
Stunned, Tia masked the pain of not being informed. ”You've lost the weight.”
”Running after the others. I meant to send an announcement. Actually, Mom did them for me since my hands were full.”
Tears stung the backs of her eyes. ”It's all right.”
”I'm ... I'm glad to see you.”
”Maybe.” Tia's smile twisted. ”Maybe not so much.”
”No, really. Sit down.”
”I know you're busy.”
”Always. You know how it is, running here and there and someone needing something every minute.” Tia smiled as though she knew.
”But what are you doing here?” Reba slid the hair behind her ear, a simple yet elegant gesture.
And now it came to it. ”I wanted to ask your forgiveness.”
Reba searched her face, then looked down at her hands. ”That was a long time ago.”
”I apologized then and understood why you couldn't accept it. If anything, I understand more now. But ...”
Reba looked down. ”I don't want to dredge it up.”
”Of course. I'm sorry.” Tia pushed up from the couch. ”Then I'll go. I need to tell Mom-”
”How is Jonah?”
Tia swallowed. ”I don't know.”
”You're not together anymore?”
”We've never been.”
Reba shot her a disbelieving look.
Tia tipped her head. ”Did you think we were?”
Reba's eyes widened. ”Why would I think anything else?”
Tia's breath made a slow escape. ”Mom thinks so too?”
”We don't talk about you.”
She was truly dead to them.
”So all this time ...” Jonah had been right. They neither knew nor cared what she'd sacrificed.
Reba's voice softened. ”I'm sorry, Tia.”
”You have nothing to be sorry for.”
Reba stood up. ”I suggested Mom ask you to watch the store.”
Tia stared. She'd been certain it was her mother's ultimate punishment. But Reba knew how she'd wanted to break free. As much as she couldn't bear to leave Redford now, she'd yearned for a fresh start back then, a place where she'd stand or fall on her own merit. To be loved and accepted as she was.
Reba spread her hands. ”I thought-”
Footsteps approached, and Mark, lean and blond, appeared with a fussy baby sucking his fist. Mark smiled at her without recognition. ”Sorry to interrupt, but he's ready to eat.”
Reba turned. ”You remember Tia, Mark?”
A jolt of recognition. ”Oh. Wow. Yeah, of course.”
”I'll let you go.” Tia turned for the door. ”Mom lives three blocks away?”
”Yes, but-” Robbie's fussing intensified, and Reba took him from her husband. ”She'll be here any-”
The door opened, and Tia faced her mother.
”Good Lord.” Stella actually pressed her hand to her breast.
For a horrible moment, Tia almost laughed. She could hardly have been more poorly received by them all if she'd arrived on cloven hooves.
”What on earth are you doing here?”
”Don't worry, I'm not staying. I wanted to say you'll need to find someone else to run the store. I'm not a shop girl anymore.”