Page 51 of Money Shot

“Enough to fill this house if I got my say in it,” I said.

She blinked her eyes, smiled, and quickly turned toward the sink.

“Grab the green beans, honey, I think I’ve got something in my eye,” she said as she turned away.

I carried the remainder of the food to the table as she walked to the bathroom and tried to get something out of her eye. As I gazed down at the table and wondered if she would be mad about my placement of the food, I heard her yell at Vince.

“Bradley, Stephen! Dinner’s ready, you two,” she shouted.

“It’s perfect,” she said as she walked into the dining room.

“I didn’t know where to put everything,” I said as I shrugged my shoulders. “It looks wonderful.”

“So, we’re ready?” Vince asked as he walked into the room.

His mother shifted her eyes toward me and grinned. “We sure are.”

“You been crying, Ma?” Vince asked as he walked into the room .

“No, I got something in my eye, didn’t I, Honey?” she responded as she shifted her eyes toward me.

I nodded my head.

“Yeah, and I wrecked my bike,” Vince said with a laugh.

“Just be quiet and sit down,” his mother snapped.

We all took a seat at the large table, Vince and I sitting on either side of his mother, and Bradley on the floor beside Vince.

“Who’s saying grace?” she asked as she alternated glances between Vince and me.

“Well, according to your rules, it’s Sienna’s turn,” Vince responded.

His mother tilted her head to the side and batted her eyelashes.

“I’ll say it,” I said with a nod.

I closed my eyes, bowed my head, and inhaled a shallow breath. As I began to pray, Anita rested her hand on my knee.

“Heavenly Father, we are gathered here today to give thanks. There are so many, Lord, who are less fortunate, and for them I ask you to give special consideration on this day, and throughout the holiday season. Bless them with understanding and a willingness to continue, for one day they, just as we have, will find their calling in life and see the world through clearer eyes, through your eyes, and through you they will pave the way to a brighter future. Today, Lord, I thank you for Anita, I thank you for Vince, and I thank you for Bradley, but most of all, I thank you for providing all of us with something as sacred as the ability to love. I give these thanks in your name, Lord, amen.”

I opened my eyes, lifted my head, and glanced around the table.

“Pass the potatoes, Ma,” Vince said.

His mother stood and patted me on the shoulder.

“Hand him the potatoes, Honey,” she said as she turned away. “I’ve got something in my eye again.”

I did wonder when she walked away the first time if she was crying or if she had something in her eye, and now the answer was pretty clear.

But I’d never tell.

Because that’s what mothers and daughters do, they keep secrets with each other.