Page 93 of The Originals
Michael chuckled. “Baby is not much of a baby anymore. Turns two next month.”
“I know,” she whispered.
Colleen had only been able to visit three times in the last two years since her nephew, Brian, had been born. Bus tickets were the cheapest form of transportation but still expensive. At least for her.
“He’s got Beth running around.” Michael snickered. “There’s a reason why they call it the terrible twos.”
Colleen smiled. “Does this mean I won’t be an aunt again anytime soon?”
The line was silent, but she heard muttering in the background. She pressed the phone to her ear but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Michael?”
“Yeah, hang on,” he said, and seconds later she heard her sister-in-law’s voice. “Hi Coll, how are you?”
Her smile brightened. Colleen had heard horror stories about in-laws, but none rang true with her own experience. Beth, her brother’s wife, was the kindest, most loving, and welcoming woman Colleen knew.
“I’m good. How are you?”
“Fantastic. I didn’t mean to interrupt the conversation, but Michael promised me I could tell you since he told you last time.”
She knitted her brows. “Told me what?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Colleen straightened, gasped, and covered her mouth.
“It’s still early, and we’re not telling anyone.”
But you’re telling me.Her eyes welled.
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you two. And Brian. He’s gonna be a great big brother, just like Michael is.”
“Yeah,” Beth whispered. “Still, two kids is a lot of work, and with Michael working such crazy hours, I could really use some help.”
“Beth.” The stern warning was her brother in the background.
Colleen smirked, knowing what was coming next.
“What, Michael? I’m just saying that it would be helpful to have someone else in the house with me. I wasn’t suggesting she drop her life in Ghosttown.” Beth paused. “Unless you want to. Because you know we have the back room. It’s only a three-season porch now, but we can get a real good heater for the winter. And maybe next year we can enclose the whole room. And I was just talking to a friend, and she said her store is looking for cashiers. Or you can always bartend here too. Got lots of bars.” Beth took a breath but didn’t slow down. “Oh, and our church is partnering up with the local high school, and they’re doing a GED program. The fee is small. And we can spot you the money. Don’t worry about that, and…”
“Give me the phone,” Michael said, and she heard the humor in his tone. “Sorry, Coll. She promised she wouldn’t guilt you into to moving here. Again.”
Colleen was used to it. Every time she spoke to her brother and Beth, one of them mentioned her coming to stay with them.Beth was a little more aggressive, always highlighting things she thought Colleen would be interested in. She had no doubt once her nephew started making coherent sentences, Beth would recruit him for the guilt trip tour.
“I don’t mind. It’s nice to be wanted.”
“You are wanted,” Michael blurted. “We’d love for you to come stay with us. For as long as you need.”
Her brother had always been there for her, serving as a surrogate parent when her own weren’t up to the task. He took on more responsibility than he should’ve while taking care of himself.And me.
Colleen shook her head, lowering her voice. “You’ve already taken care of me long enough. You practically raised me.”
“We took care of each other, Coll.”
Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she drew in a breath, desperate for a change in conversation.
“My life is in Ghosttown.”