Page 82 of Do It Yourself
“Fucking finally!” Elle, along with the rest of the Farm, had one too many poor interactions with that guy. Ali gives me a quick shoulder squeeze before she turns her back to return to work. We’d been making sure our stock was all counted and ready for this weekend’s market.
It’d be Ali’s first market by herself and even though she denied it, I knew she was nervous. We’d already double checked the stock but with nothing else we really needed to do, I let her get her do whatever she needed to get her nerves to settle.
Elle came to stand next to me, raising her brows in question. My sister was obsessed with touching my belly since it had popped, but she always asked permission before touching me. I smiled and gave her a nod, she wasted no time rubbing my rounded stomach and bending over slightly.
She was also obsessed with talking to my Little Stinger.
“Hey little guy. It’s your favorite aunt. Be nice to your mommy, okay? I’ll make sure to sneak you ice cream as soon as it’s age appropriate.” Elle returned to an upright position but kept her hand on my stomach.
She was determined to feel a kick before anyone else.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her my little guy was most active at night and had been kicking the crap out of Jude’s hands for the last week .
We chat for a little while longer before Elle sighs in defeat. “I should head back to my office. I have a few more things I need to get done today. You keep those kicks between you and yourmommy until I’m around again.” We said our goodbyes and I returned my attention to helping Ali count stock.
“I’m not saying Paul’s the dumbest person in the world but if I were him, I’d be worried if the dumbest person died suddenly.”
“Elle Warren!”
“It’s Elle Hunt now, thank you very much.”
Mama rolls her eyes at Elle’s response. “Well, Mrs. Hunt, instead of commenting on how dumb you think your brother is, again, would you help me plate up some of these desserts?”
Elle groans as she stands, following Mama into the kitchen.
“I don’t know, I thought that was a pretty good burn.” My heart stops as Paul walks into the living room. The situation is so similar to months ago, Paul sneaking up on all of us together.
“Hey Mabel. Can we talk?” Paul looks nervous, his cheeks red, and he won’t look at me. Lola jumps up from her seat next to me. “I’ll let you have the room.” She’s gone before either of us can say anything. I hear whispers and a not so whispered, “oh hell no!” from Elle before the house falls silent.
“We can go outside if you don’t want an audience?” I start to push myself off the couch but it’s slow going since my center of gravity has blown up like a balloon. I let out a small groan with the effort, that noise seems to snap Paul back to the present.
My little brother rushes over to me, bracing my arm to make getting up slightly easier but once I’m upright he steps back with eyes focused back on the ground.
We walk single file out to the front porch.
This is awkward as hell but I have no idea what to say to attempt to break the silence.
“You were right.”
My jaw hits the floor. Of all the ways this conversation was going to go, it definitely wasn’t with Paul sayingthat.
“I’m sorry. You were right, it was irresponsible for me to put all my anger with mine and Anika’s situation on Jude. Anika and I…we’ve talked…anyway. You were right and I’m sorry I’ve been such a shitty brother.” He’s gripping the back of his neck and still not looking at me.
“Paul.”
“No, I need to get this out. I never should have gone radio silent for so long after everything that went down at Mama’s house. Before that, I really was busy with work, though I know that doesn’t really matter now… I know Elle wants to kill me. Mama and Lola haven’t been super subtle about their disappointment either. I deserve it and more.”
“Paul.”
“Patrick, the poor guy, well, he helped Jude meet with me and that guy tore me a new asshole. He really loves you, you kn?—”
“Paul! Shut up for a second.” I grab my brother’s hand and bring it to my stomach. Little Stinger’s doing the can-can in my stomach. Elle’s definitely going to hear about this and she’s going to be so mad. “He must like the sound of your voice.” Paul’s eyes jumps to my watery gaze. “It’s okay. You’re here now and it’s all going to be okay.” I whisper and press his hand slightly harder against my stomach.
Was I forgiving him too easily?
Probably.
But I was going to have a baby, I was in love, and I missed my little brother.
