Mother Gets a Lift (4 page)

“Meantime you can meet your new grandchild. Stella. She looks just like you. I think.”

“I’m not crazy about babies, you know that.”

*

The two of them stared at each other for almost a full minute. Stella squeezed her eyes shut and let out a wail. Mom squeezed hers closed too and handed the bawling bundle back to me.

“This baby is going to cost you when she hits her adolescence.” Mom looked into the hall mirror and fluffed her hair.

“How so?”

“Look at that overbite. And her ears stick out. You could try plastering them back with scotch tape. I did that to you.” She gave me a look. “It didn’t help much.

“Better watch the calories. She’s gonna be a little piglet.”

“Mom, she’s less than a week old. Babies change a lot.”

A horn honked outside the front door.

Mom grabbed her sweater and roll-on bag. “That’s my taxi. Well, I’m off to the spa in Scottsdale.”

I knew what she meant by “spa” was a center for plastic surgery. She was hell bent on that facelift.

By now Stella had calmed down. Fred and the boys gave Mom goodbye kisses. The dog hid under the couch. I gave Mom a quick hug, and, Stella in my arms, I walked with her out to the car. Another vehicle pulled up behind her cab. It was Clay. She opened the cab’s door and threw herself into the back seat.

“I have nothing to say to you,” she yelled at Clay.

“I give up. I’ll pay for your surgery. Anything. Just don’t leave me.”

There was a pause as Mom thought it over. The door of the cab opened and Clay got in. I watched them drive off together. I guess love is better the second or sixth or so time around, especially if it’s with someone you barely recognize, and you’re smart enough to give the gift that you need to keep on giving—surgery.