“No. She’s nothing like you. She’s actually very nice.”
Sherry simply nodded at the less than subtle jab.
Lynn asked, “You didn’t think there was a chance between the two of you, did you?”
“No dear, I didn’t and I can honestly say I’m happy for him and wish him the best. I knew he would meet someone eventually.”
She just sniffled and Lynn could see that hearing her father met someone took a lot out of her mother. She wasn’t sure why since she had him all to herself not so long ago and threw him away.
Eventually Sherry said, “Look Lynn, I know I’ll never get your father back, but I need to feel some love from part of my family. I crave it”
Lynn could see her mother’s fragile body vibrating as she tried to stave off tears.
“I know I don’t deserve to be loved and God knows I don’t have the right to ask for it, but I need it just the same. I don’t expect to be forgiven. That train left the station a long time ago. As for everything being forgotten…not gonna happen, I know that. But I need to feel love. Just a little love.”
Sherry paused and looked down to her lap while her daughter just looked at the woman she used to love so much as she bared her soul.
“I’m not evil, I know it seems like I am and if that’s what you and your father think, you both have every right in the world to do so. I was stupid. I was arrogant, self-centered and selfish on a level that is totally unforgivable, but I still need a part of my family with me.”
Sherry paused for a moment before continuing, “Grandma and Grandpa have been there to help with the baby, but they and your aunt have pretty much kept their distance with me. Six years and things are as strained between us as ever.”
“As for everyone else…it’s been beyond difficult. I know I brought this on myself, I truly do, but it’s difficult to walk into a restaurant or the mall and have people recognize you and point and stare or worse yet, direct a vulgar insult my way and get up and leave. I won’t even begin to tell you how many death threats I’ve had.”
Lynn watched her mother’s face contort with many different emotions at once, but grief and fear seemed to be leading the way. Grief over losing her daughter once and fear that she would turn her back on her completely.
“I know you’re going to want your father around for holidays and such. I completely understood when you invited him to you graduation and wedding and not me. But please Lynn, can you find it in your heart to have some kind of a relationship with me? I need you!”
Despite all that happened, Lynn was taking pity on her mother, but she wasn’t about to kiss and make up anytime soon. Her pain ran too deep.
Lynn then relented, “We could give it a try, but we’ll have to take it slow. Truth is I’m still pissed off. Not as much as dad of course, but pissed off just the same.”
Sherry just nodded. Lynn could see the fear in her mother’s eyes that she might be totally rejected. At that moment she feared for her mother’s well being.
Lynn looked at her watch and then back to her mother and sighed, “I have to feed Stevie. Would you like to stick around and meet him?”