Page 56 of Honey Bun
Arman
Maddie in my kitchen, cooking, was almost like a dream come true. She’d been sweet to cook for me.
She was in the bathroom when the bell rang, so I headed to the door to let her daughter in. Aurora had a kind nature that showed in her bright smile. She reminded me of what Maddie had looked like as a teenager.
I closed the door. “So, how was the play?”
She dropped her backpack at the door and walked in with me as the water from her mother’s shower cut off. “The actress playing Antonia had to drop out, as her parents are moving her to Paris for the semester.”
Don Quixote’s niece who’s trying to tell him he’s normal and not chasing windmills.I shrugged. “At least she’s not sick.”
Aurora sucked in her breath. “True, and the director asked me to take the part, which means I’m now speaking a little.”
My eyes widened. Aurora was smart, and she’d never once struck me as shy. With me, she’d always been confident, and from all accounts, her schooling was going well. “That’s great.”
The bedroom door opened. Maddie rushed toward us, and we headed into the sitting area. Aurora lowered her head. “I’m terrified to fail.”
I patted her shoulder. “You won’t. You’re as strong as your mom.”
Maddie called out behind us, “I’m not strong.”
And that wasn’t something I could fix. How she saw herself mattered. I rubbed my head. I couldn’t imagine not believing in myself.
Aurora smirked. “So what was wrong with our shower downstairs, Mom?”
Maddie turned and rushed into the kitchen. “Nothing. We were working, and I was cooking, so I hopped into Arman’s shower.”
Aurora and I followed her. She said to Maddie, “Because you’re—”
“Working together,” I answered from behind. Maddie was red-faced. I needed to back off, and so did her daughter. “Don’t push your mom.”
Aurora rocked on her feet. “Maybe she needs to see that her life is great here with you.”
I’d been pushy, and if she had this at home with Aurora, too, Maddie might never find peace.
Maddie crossed her arms. “Aurora!”
I grabbed the extra plate for the table. The silence between the two of them spoke volumes. As I left the kitchen, Aurora said, “Fine. Let’s just eat. Grandma Roxanne’s promised to run lines with me tomorrow if that’s okay, so I’ll be home late.”
Their voices grew stronger, and I knew they were coming to join me. I wished I could back off with Maddie to give her time to sort out her feelings. Pushing made me weak, though I loved her and hoped she loved me too.
Maddie took her seat beside me as she said to her daughter, “That sounds nice. If you ever need my help…”
I put food on their plates. “Or mine.”
“Thank you,” Aurora said as I finished making her plate, and Maddie smiled at me. “I need to be happy and do this play without you hovering, Mom.” Maddie flinched, but Aurora continued. “I love you, but we spent a lot of time not letting anyone in, and I’m hoping that starts to change for both of us.”
I thought of these two as my family. Hoping to break the tension, I said, “I have leftover cake in the refrigerator for when we finish this meal.”
Waiting was impossible for me. I wished every day of my life I could wake up beside Maddie and help guide Aurora, but the love in my heart wasn’t enough. I had to figure out what I needed to do next fast.
Chapter Seventeen
Arman
Maddie texted that she’d have to leave work, as Aurora had left her lunch at home. She wanted to run home and then deliver it. I texted her not to stress and said I would take care of it. Then I ordered food on my phone that was ready in half an hour. I sent her the picture, and her thumbs-up made me smile in the middle of my business meeting.
After my call, I left work and walked the lunch to Aurora’s school as Maddie worked on Kendal and Joel’s wedding celebration. When I walked back in, I nodded to let her know I’d taken care of it.