Page 116 of Everyday is Like Sunday
I’d apparently missed the initialget-acquaintedmeeting. “Him much later than I did of course. You know, vet school and all.”
“I understand,” she said, staring at my necklace. “May I?” she asked.
“Sure,” I replied, letting her hold the ring attached.
“Birthstones?”
Her eyes were disarming. “Yes. Mine, Cooper’s, and my folks’,” I answered. “I like to keep them close,” I added, not in the least bit uncomfortable that she remained so close to me examining the ring.
“How long since they passed?”
“How’d you know they passed?” I asked.
“A mother knows these things, son.”
“So you have children?” I asked.
“Nope. Never had the privilege.”
Her response caught me off guard. She wasn’t a mother but inferred that she was. And I’d only known one other mature adult that used the wordnope. My mother. The same green-eyed person who I missed terribly.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.
“That’s quite alright, son,” she said. “I’ve managed to make friends. Some young like you and Cooper even.”
Katie let go of the necklace and took a step back. “Three of you are Cancers I see. Who was Aries?”
“My mother, Cooper, and I are Cancers. Dad was an Aries but he didn’tbelieve in all that sorta stuff,” I admitted. “Mom sure did though,” I added, laughing at the memory.
“Sounds like a wise woman, your mother.”
“Today is all of our birthdays,” I said. “Well, Coop and I, that is. And this probably sounds impossible, but our twin godsons also share our birthday. They’re coming over later actually.”
Katie grinned and nodded like she had a secret. “Want to hear something that you might think is even more impossible?” she asked.
“Go ahead,” I encouraged. “I learned to believe in the impossible because of my mother.”
“Today is also my birthday.”
We stood in silence while I processed her words. I was speechless and wondered if Coop had discovered all the fascinating similarities we had with our new neighbor.
“No way.”
“Way,” she joked.
“Well then, Katie. Happy birthday to you. Maybe you’d like to join us later? Meet the whole gang?”
“I’ve met Cooper’s parents already. I feel like I’ve known them for years. They’re quite proud of you two boys,” she said.
“Look at me,” I said. “I guess I was late to the meet and greet.”
“It seems I’ve saved the best for last, Michael,” she said, giggling a girly laugh and filling my heart with a beautiful memory. “May I call you Michael?”
“I think I’d like that.”
The two of us stood staring at one another. There was something there but I couldn’t quite put a finger on what that something was.
“I feel like I know you, Michael.”
“You read my mind,” I stated.
“Well okay then,” she said.
I wondered if we were done talking. I didn’t want to be done just yet. I reached for her hand. “Lemme show you my marigolds in the backyard. You’re going to love them.”
THE END
