Page 43 of The Merger

“That’s a great conversation to have with Bianca.”

Our phones buzz at the same time. We glance at each other curiously as we pull our devices from our pockets.

Mom: She’s here! Please meet your beautiful niece, Emery Jane Carmichael.

“Bianca had her baby,” Jason says as a picture loads in the group chat. “What a cutie.”

In the photograph, our sister beams while holding a baby wrapped in a light pink blanket. Emery has a head full of dark hair and a button nose like her mother. She’s also alert as if she’s afraid to miss a thing just like her father.

The picture pulls at a place in my heart that I try to keep unbothered.

Ripley: She’s so pretty.

Jason: Tell B we said congratulations and can’t wait to meet her.

Renn: Welcome to the family, Em!

Tate: Renn, does this mean we don’t have to go meet the rugby guys this weekend? We should really go to see our new niece instead.

Me: Tate, try not to make this about you.

Jason laughs next to me.

Mom: Bianca asks that we hold off on visiting for a couple of weeks. She and Foxx want some time with the baby by themselves.

Renn: Then where are you?

Mom: Oh, I’m not listening to that nonsense. She obviously doesn’t mean me.

Me: She might. With all your traveling, God knows what diseases you might’ve picked up.

Mom: Gannon Reid Brewer …

Tate:

Mom: Foxx’s mom and dad, Damaris and Kixx, and I have been approved to visit.

Jason: Have you ever met Foxx’s brother Banks? Have fun telling him no.

“What’s the story with him?” I ask.

Jason shrugs helplessly. “I don’t know where to start.”

Renn: We understand. Tell Bianca to let us know when we can visit.

Ripley: But we expect lots of pictures.

Mom: I’ll tell her. Love you boys.

Tate: Love you, Mommy.

Ripley: Love ya.

Jason: Love you.

Renn:

Me: Love you, Mother.