The Friends We Keep

“Yes. She’s fifteen. She’s their sister. She needs to be a part of the family. She needs to be helping out. Things are better. I’m not complaining. I’m simply pointing out that she could do more.”


Gabby set down the cat and faced him. “Andrew, I’m not doing well. Between the twins and the baby and my work and your travel, I’m being pulled in forty-seven directions at once. I need a break. I need help. I can’t do it all.”

“So I should cancel Cecelia.”

Gabby started to say yes, then shook her head. “No. Keep her. Order in a pizza for everyone.”

“I don’t understand. Are we going out?”

“No. I’m going to bed. I’m going to sleep. You and Cecelia can keep the twins busy. I’ll deal with all this in the morning.” She started to leave, then turned back. “Do you know how to feed the pets?”

“Um...”

It wasn’t his fault, she told herself. It was hers. For not asking for more. For not making him take responsibility. Just like the situation with Makayla. She’d been so careful to let Andrew take the lead. After all, the teen was his daughter.

But not only his, she thought. Not anymore. Things had changed and they were going to change more. There was a lot to consider, but again, all that could wait until morning.

“Makayla knows. Ask her.”

“Gabby, are you okay?”

“I will be. Just let me have tonight,” she told him. “Please. In twelve hours, I’ll be healed.”

She left before he could say anything else. After putting on her pajamas, she closed the shades in the bedroom, turned on the overhead fan and climbed into bed. In the distance she heard conversation. She thought Kennedy was asking why Mommy couldn’t be with them. The need to sleep battled with comforting her daughter. She would get up and talk to her. In a second.

When Gabby next opened her eyes, it was two in the morning and she desperately had to pee. She returned to the bed and settled back down. What seemed like seconds later, it was seven-thirty and light peeked from behind the shades.

She rolled onto her back and stretched. She felt better, she admitted. Not healed, but definitely on the way to recovery. Things didn’t hurt so much. Her head was more clear.

Andrew’s side of the bed was empty. Jasmine lay curled up on his pillow. Gabby knew he’d joined her in the night, so she wasn’t worried he’d slept on the sofa. Still, it was unusual for him to be up first.

She collected her robe, brushed her teeth, then made her way downstairs. She heard the twins laughing at something and the low hum of the television. She walked into the kitchen and saw that the girls were already up and dressed. Andrew was as well, although he hadn’t showered. There was an open box of doughnuts on the table, along with several to-go containers of coffee and hot chocolate.

“Good morning,” he said when he saw her. “How do you feel?”

“Mommy!”

The twins ran over and wrapped their arms around her. She hugged them back, savoring the feel of their little bodies so close to hers. Her babies, she thought happily. They were what mattered. Her children and her husband.

She walked over to Andrew and kissed him on the mouth. “Much better. Thank you for letting me sleep. I needed it.”

“I could tell. You barely stirred the whole night. I kept checking to make sure you were breathing.”

“Afraid you’d be left alone with all this?” she asked, her voice teasing.

Andrew didn’t return her smile. “No. I was worried about you. I love you.”

The intense statement surprised her. She shifted so she could free an arm and held it open to him. Andrew joined the group hug.

After breakfast Andrew showered, then took the twins to the park. Makayla made her way downstairs about nine. Gabby was sitting at the kitchen table, planning menus for the week. She looked up when the teen walked in.

“Hey,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

Makayla crossed to her and sat down next to her.

“I’m sorry,” the girl said. “About not helping more. Dad talked to me last night.” She looked away, then back. “I didn’t mean not to help. I love Kenzie and Kennedy, you know. They’re sweet and fun. But even if they weren’t, I want to help.” Her chin raised. “I’m part of this family, too.”

A thousand thoughts descended. Gabby realized that there was a part of Makayla that wasn’t sure where she belonged. The rejection of her mother had been devastating and with the baby and no friends and no Boyd, she was truly alone.

Gabby took her hands in her own and squeezed her fingers. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I love you. I hope you know that and I’m sorry I haven’t said it enough.” Or at all, Gabby thought, suddenly feeling awful. “Makayla, you and I have been through a lot together. I learned how to be a mom with you. I know I made a lot of mistakes.” She smiled. “You’re right. We’re a family and sometimes that’s messy and sometimes it’s annoying but it’s forever. Your dad and I will always be here for you.”