Queen Bee (Lowcountry Tales #12)(35)

“Well, young boys are eating machines,” I said. “And these two need some serious TLC this afternoon.”

“He told them?” she said.

“Yes,” I said. “They’re not happy at all.”

“How could they be?”

Momma gave me one of her signature harrumphs. We were still incredulous over Archie’s judgment. It was still less than a year since Carin died. Nothing, not one thing, about this upcoming marriage felt right.

The boys came in with long faces and slumped into their chairs at the table.

“Hey, Miss Katherine,” Tyler said. “How’re you?”

“Yeah, hi, Miss Katherine,” Hunter said.

They felt hopeless.

“White milk or chocolate milk?” my mother said.

She was going all out.

“Chocolate,” they said and then added, “Thanks.”

The sighing coming from Tyler and Hunter was profound. They perked up a little when the glasses of chocolate milk were delivered with the warm cookies. They smelled so good, I reached for one. Momma swatted the back of my hand.

“Those are not for you, Holly. If you want cookies, I imagine you know how to bake them?”

I cut her some side eye and she gave it right back to me. Tyler and Hunter giggled and it lightened the mood a little bit.

“She’s a mean old thing,” I said to them.

“Watch your mouth,” Momma said and winked at the boys.

“Okay, let’s hear the story,” I said.

“My life just blew up,” Tyler said.

“Yeah,” Hunter said. “Mine, too.”

“Oh, come on now,” I said. “Look, maybe it won’t be a bad thing. Maybe she’ll turn out to be a lot of fun. And the next thing you know, you’ll both be going to college and then out into the world to do great things!”

“For once, I agree with my daughter,” Momma said. “And you know what? Sharon might be really nervous about getting married and suddenly, boom! She’s a stepmom, too! It’s a lot for her to take on. Think about it.”

“That’s right,” I said. “If you two wanted to make your daddy happy, and I know you do, you’ll be happy for him.”

“Yeah, we know all that, right?” Tyler looked at Hunter who was nodding in agreement. “But here’s the thing. We don’t need another mother. We’re fine just like we are.”

“I understand, and I see why life’s working for you,” I said. “But grown-ups are different. Well, not every single one, but most adults like to have a partner. It’s normal to want to have someone who likes what you like and wants to do the things you like to do. You know what I’m talking about?”

“And I wouldn’t be surprised,” Momma said, “if she’s more of a partner to your dad than a stepmom to y’all. I mean, I think she’s pretty busy and I’d be surprised if she interfered with things as long as they’re going along smoothly.”

“We’ll see about that,” Tyler said.

“I don’t know,” Hunter said.

“Listen, here’s my free advice,” I said. “Just take things one day at a time. And trust your dad. You know he wants only the best for both of you.”

“I know,” Tyler said.

“Your dad is super smart, Tyler. I’ve never seen him do anything crazy,” I said. I picked up their glasses and rinsed them in the sink.

“Until now,” Hunter said.

“Now, now,” Momma said.

In the distance, we heard Archie’s car door slam.

“Dad’s home,” Tyler said.

“Party’s over,” Hunter said.

They gathered up their things, started to leave, and then turned back to face us. I could see that Tyler’s eyes were moist.

“Mith Holly? If things get really terrible, can we come live with you?”

“Oh, Tyler,” I said.

“This is still my house,” Momma said. “But the door is always open for you both.”

Then, to my further surprise, Tyler and Hunter rushed to my mother and threw their arms around her. She was breathless from the impact and surprise of it. Before either one of us could think of what to say, they turned and ran out of the house, slamming the screen door.

Momma and I looked at each other.

“What do you think is going to happen?” she said.

“I think that Archie will be happy for a while, but I don’t think he could have chosen a worse stepmother for those boys if he’d picked up a stranger off the street. That’s what I think.”

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” she said.

“You were really sweet to them,” I said.

“Well, those poor little guys have been through enough. I just feel for them, that’s all. I mean, come on! They’ve grown up right under my nose. They’re just defenseless little boys with no say in the matter. I know that’s how these things go, but somehow it doesn’t seem fair that they don’t even get a vote.”

It wasn’t like her to be so sympathetic, but there she was, sympathy itself.

“No, it doesn’t seem fair at all. You’d think he’d sit them down and talk about it at length. Not just announce it, like here’s your new future.”