“Sure, sweetheart. What is it?” Salima had a serious look on her face, as though she were about to ask an important question, and Blaise had no idea what was on her mind.
“It was nice of Simon to come to the hospital with you,” she said quietly. “I like him a lot, Mom. When you guys left, the nurse thought you were my parents. I thought it was funny at first, and then I wondered about something. Maybe you two looked like my parents, or acted like it in some way for them to think that. Mom, are you dating Simon? I mean … you know … I know you guys don’t go anywhere together … I mean … like … are you in love with him, Mom? Are you a couple?” It was a big question, and she could see that Salima wanted an answer. They had been careful not to let Salima know about their relationship. Blaise still wanted time for them to get used to it before they told her. But they had just run out of time.
“Kind of,” Blaise said honestly. “It’s very new. It just happened, since Thanksgiving. It’s only been a few weeks.”
“Is it serious?”
“I don’t know yet. We’re trying to figure it out. I like him a lot.” And then she decided to be more honest with her than she’d just been. “I love him, I just don’t know if it’s the right thing for both of us. Simon should be with someone closer to your age than mine. I don’t want to deprive him of that and everything that goes with it.”
“You mean like babies?”
“Yes, among other things. He’s fifteen years younger than I am. That’s a lot.” She was looking intently at her daughter. Salima didn’t seem upset, she looked puzzled.
“I kind of suspected something was happening.”
“How?” How could a nonsighted person be aware of the subtleties of a budding relationship that had only just happened? Salima always amazed her.
“There are a lot more silences than there used to be. You must be looking at each other, or holding hands, kissing, or something.” She smiled at her mother.
Blaise smiled back at her, and then her face grew serious again. “How do you feel about it?” Salima was silent for a long time and looked like she was thinking.
“I’m not sure. I really like him. I’m not used to sharing you with anyone, and that might be weird. Or it could be nice too, when you’re busy. He’s good company and he’s smart.” Blaise couldn’t help smiling again.
“That’s how I feel about him too.”
“Is he cute?” Salima grinned at her.
“Very. Are you shocked? About us, I mean?”
“A little. But I guess you have a right to someone in your life. And I think I kind of like it that he’s younger. It’s more fun for me.” That was one aspect Blaise hadn’t thought of.
“Well, we’ll see what happens. We might get tired of each other by the time you go back to school,” she said lightly. She wasn’t going to tell her any more. That was more information than she needed. She knew enough now, and Blaise was relieved that she had no serious objections. And she felt better being honest with her. She thought Simon would prefer it too. In the end, it was a blessing. Her pump failing had been terrifying, but they had come through the crisis together, and now Salima knew that her mother was in love with Simon. A lot had happened in twenty-four hours. But Salima was looking troubled again. She had something to tell her mother, and she’d been waiting for the right time. She hoped this was it.
“I don’t want to go back to school,” she said softly. “I want to stay here and take lessons with Lucianna. She helped me apply to Juilliard for September,” she confessed. “She’s going to write me a recommendation, and she could help me get ready for my audition.” She couldn’t see her mother’s face but she was praying that she’d agree. She had outgrown living at Caldwell, and they both knew it.
“We’d have to figure out who would take care of you, when Simon goes back.”
“Can’t he stay?” Salima sounded worried. She was used to him now, and he was great with her. She still missed Abby, but she did a lot more with Simon, and she had grown up immeasurably in the past two months, and could do more for herself than she ever had before. And she liked it.
“I don’t know,” Blaise answered honestly. “I think he has to finish out his contract. At least till the end of the school year. They might let him quit, but he’ll have to want that too. Let’s not worry about it now. We haven’t even heard from school about when they’re going to reopen. What about your college classes? Don’t you want to finish that?” Salima shook her head. She was sure.
“I want to study music.” And Blaise knew she had never been happier than since she’d started studying singing with Lucianna.
“Well, we have a lot to think about, don’t we?” Blaise said, and reached out to pat Salima’s hand.
“Is that a yes?” Salima pressed her, and Blaise laughed.
“It’s a strong maybe,” she said honestly. But Salima could hear that her mother wasn’t against it.