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“This Friday?”
“Yeah.”
That was the day after tomorrow.
“They don’t want to do it on a weekend or plan anything big because of all the press that Billy’s wedding got. So, they decided to do it on Friday evening at sunset. I have to get a flight.”
She started to stand up, but I stopped her. “I’ll take you back.”
“No. It’s your mom’s birthday tomorrow.”
“She’ll understand. I can’t miss Jimmy’s wedding.” Jimmy and I might not have been as close as Billy and me, but I’d known the kid since he was born. I’d actually been at the hospital when he made his debut.
Her forehead wrinkled. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. We can leave first thing tomorrow.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. “I feel bad.”
“Don’t. My mom’s not going to care.”
“What is it I’m not going to care about?” I heard my mom’s voice as she came down the stairs.
Cheyenne cringed.
“Jimmy just called. He’s getting married Friday.”
She stopped at the bottom of the steps and I noticed she was holding a gift bag, but not one from the party tonight. This one looked like it was a little bit worse for wear. “This Friday?”
“Yep, so we’re going to have to take off first thing tomorrow.”
“Oh, how exciting!” She clapped her hands together. “Another wedding! To be honest, Cheyenne, I wasn’t sure any of your brothers would ever get married and now that’s two down one to go.”
“I think Hank would have already married Skylar if it was up to him.” Cheyenne smiled, and I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I detected a little sadness in her eyes.
I wondered what it was about. I knew that she loved Skylar.
“Well, I’m sad your trip got cut short but I’m glad I found this when I did then.” She reached in the bag and pulled out my old teddy bear. He was a little tattered but not too worse for the wear.
Cheyenne gasped as her hands flew to cover her mouth. “Fozzie!”
“Cash mentioned that you had a soft spot for this guy.” My mom handed the bear to Cheyenne who took it with the care you would treat a newborn baby. “I thought you might want him.”
“No!” Cheyenne protested looking up at me as she held the bear in her arms, earnest sincerity beaming from her watery eyes. “This is your teddy bear. I can’t take it.”
“If my son still needs a teddy bear, I think there might be a problem.”
Cheyenne chuckled as she shook her head. “I mean don’t you want to give it to your son or daughter?” She looked up at my mom. “Your grandchild.”
My mom and I looked at each other and an understanding passed between us and a knowing grin tugged at her lips. We both knew if I was going to have kids, it would be with the woman that was holding Fozzie.
“Fozzie belongs with you,” she told her.
“He does.” I co-signed.
Cheyenne looked like she was at a loss for words, but thankfully that had never been a problem for my mom.
“Well, now if you two are getting on the road bright and early then us girls better head up so you can get some sleep.”
As I watched the two women that I loved more than anything else in this world walk up the stairs hand in hand, for the first time in a long time I had hope. Hope for a future I’d never actually allowed myself to believe could be a reality.
