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“Mom, why do you have Mariah and Tessa’s child with you?”
Phyllis just barely resisted rolling her eyes, “I wouldn’t steal a child Daniel.” Her son gave his mother a look, “I’m changed, I’m changing Daniel. Mariah and Tessa are at home, their home, alive, although, they’re probably unconscious, asleep. This one--” Phyllis smiled down at Aria who smiled back, “Is having trouble sleeping through the night at the moment.”
Aria pulled at Phyllis’ sleeve and signed that she didn’t want to wear her hearing aids. Phyllis nodded, then held her fingers up, very very close together. Aria shook her head and held her hands as far apart as she could. Phyllis chuckled and gently moved them closer until they were farther apart than her fingers had been, but way closer than Aria’s arms had originally been.
After a moment Aria nodded. Aria carefully took out her hearing aids and put them in the case that Phyllis held out. Then she signed asking if she could play with Dominic on the playground. Phyllis said yes in speech and sign and Aria was off like a rocket, pulling Dominic along with her towards the humongous slide.
“I thought that Aria could only hear with the hearing aids?”
Phyllis looked down at the case in her hands, “I think that it’s more complicated than that. Well, for you or me it’s not. Yes, the hearing aids seem to be very good at letting her hear us. But, it turns out that sometimes they get to be too much. The sounds get to be too much. Turns out, I’m sort of her-- quiet place-- she’s also been helping me learn ASL too,” Phyllis smiled, “she has more patience than any other child I’ve ever met. But, yes, she can hear and speak and also sign.”
Phyllis put the case away, “Mariah and Tessa haven’t… learned as much…” Daniel started to speak, but, Phyllis didn’t let him, putting a hand up, “I’m not judging them. You know this, we parents want the easiest path for our children. Even when we know that our child will have to go through many hard things in their life.”
Phyllis could practically feel Daniels’ look boring into her, “I have no expectations for Aria. Having no expectations being put on you can be very freeing.”
“Mom.”
Phyllis shook her head, “You aren’t required to believe me Daniel.”
Daniel stood as Heather and Lucy approached, “I’m not sure I do.”
Phyllis smiled, making Daniel frown, “That’s okay.”
Daniel met Heather and Lucy with a shake of his head, “My mother is up to something.”
They watched as Aria ran over, took Phyllis’ hand and pulled her up and towards Dominic and the playground. “Are you sure she’s not just being… a grandmom? She doesn’t get to see Harrison much, and we took this one away and now she’s a teen.”
Lucy finished Heather’s thought, “...and so she has a lot of extra maternal energy.”
Heather nodded, “Not how I would have put it, but, yes. Just, leave her be Daniel. Today we focus on our daughter.”
Lucy sighed, “Mom….”
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“I return my charge entirely… tuckered out.” Mariah took Aria from Phyllis’ arms and up the stairs. After a few minutes she came back down and Phyllis asked, “No Tessa tonight?”
“Society. I wish…” Mariah shook her head, “Thank you for having fun with her. She said that you let her take out her hearing aids.”
“I did. Yes.” Phyllis waited, wondering what Mariah’s response to that would be.
“Good. We… we don’t…” Mariah shook her head, “Doesn’t matter. I know they sometimes aggravate her. Oh, I got a visit from Daniel this afternoon.”
Phyllis groaned, “Of course you did.”
Mariah sank into the couch and pointed at the easy chair. Phyllis sat with more grace. “He thinks that he’s helping you.”
“I let them think I was dead. That’s not something anyone gets over. ever. Not all the love in the world can do that--” Phyllis paused, “You okay Mariah?”
“Peachy-- Sorry. Remember our deal. No work, no outside lives, just Aria and Hallmark.”
“Well, Aria is cute and as smart as a whip, and, Hallmark seems to be in a bit of a empty stretch for actually new movies at the moment.” Phyllis paused, “You need to learn ASL, both of you.”
Mariah shot Phyllis a look, then sighed, “I know-- we know we’re hurting Aria. She needs both English and ASL. She wants to learn both, she has learned both, and, doesn’t quite understand why the two people in this world who love her the most, haven’t…”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I’ve screwed mine up how many times now, and they still talk to me… mostly.” Phyllis looked in her purse for a moment and took out a card, holding it out towards Mariah, “I’m going to a tutor for help -- with ASL-- virtually.” Mariah stared at Phyllis for so long that she took back the card. “Just--”
“No-- yes-- I mean--” Mariah reached over and took the card, “Thank you.” She looked down at the card and chuckled, “Her name is Dani huh?”
“Hardy har har, yes, I know, the irony since I just went through all that with Danny. She’s a… CODA I think is the term. Child of Deaf Adults. Her parents and one of her two siblings.”
Mariah picked up her phone and scanned the QR code on the card, bringing up her professional website, “Oh, and she’s hot.” Phyllis said nothing in response.
Tessa came into the living room and gave Mariah a kiss, “Playing matchmaker? That never works.”
“Worked for us, Kyle…”
A sound came from somewhere in the back of Phyllis’ throat and both women looked over, “Don’t say his name.”
Mariah sighed, “What the hell did he do now?”
Phyllis shook her head and stood, “I’m-- trying to remember to stay out of it. It’s very hard. So far so good, but… and he’s your friend and we’re breaking our deal, again, so, I’m going to go.”
And Phyllis was gone.
“Deal?” Tessa sat down next to Mariah and gave her a kiss. “We’re not friends, and we only talk about Aria and Hallmark movies. We’re doing a very bad job at it actually.”
Tessa was silent for a moment, “I may-- I may know why Kyle’s name set her off. It’s about custody. Summer getting more custody of Harrison, Kyle therefore having less. Kyle is taking Summer’s ask very aggressively.” Tessa closed her eyes, “I told Daniel to stay out of it, you should too.”
Mariah lay her head against Tessa’s chest, “I don’t even get to tell him he’s being an ass-- again--?”
“You probably shouldn’t. I’ll always be grateful to him for giving us a push, but, he sounded unhinged at Society. Summer isn’t my favorite person, but, she loves that kid more than life itself.”
“Thank you.”
Tessa smirked, “For not liking Summer, not a problem.”
Mariah laughed, “For so many things, but, mostly for being you-- with a big heart and a forgiving disposition.”
“And hot, you forgot hot. Hotter than Dani the ASL tutor right?” Tessa turned and captured a smiling Mariah’s lips,
Mariah stood and pulled Tessa up with her, “Yes, oh yes…”
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“Hey Mom.”
Phyllis smiled and turned, “Hey supergirl.” Phyllis gave Summer a hug and sat back down, “Join me?”
Summer glanced at what was in front of Phyllis, “Wine and fries?”
“Perfect combination. You okay?”
“No-- not really.”
“Do you want me to do something about it?”
Summer sighed, “No, please don’t Mom.”
Phyllis pushed the fries towards Summer, “You’re a good mother. Don’t listen to me or your Dad or anyone for what you need to do. You know what’s best for that precious kid.” Phyllis paused, “Just make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons.”
“Mom.”
Phyllis took a fry, “Remember who you’re talking to my darling daughter. I’m not saying don’t fight for your son. But, I have done many, many good things for the wrong wrong wrong reasons and that always leads to bad things.”
Mother and daughter ate fries in silence for a moment, “Daniel said that he saw you with Aria at the park?”
Phyllis shook her head, “Yes-- yes-- we even had fun. Her two mothers are exhausted and I know that you and your brother can’t understand this anymore. I don’t blame you. But, Mariah and Tessa, or Mariah at least, trusted me with her.” Phyllis paused, “Aria’s a force of nature, quite like you were at her age.”
Summer was silent for a minute, “I’m sorry-- I just went with what Daniel assumed, and that’s not fair.”
“I’m not good with changing, or introspection, but, I’m trying.”
Summer pushed the fries towards Phyllis, “Last one?”
“All yours.”
They both stood and after a beat Summer hugged her Mom and stepped back, “Ah-- sleep well.”
Phyllis smiled, “You too.” She glanced over as someone sighed and took out his phone. He brought up an app and spoke French into it. Then showed the phone to the barman. The bartender gave a thumbs up and Phyllis winced. But, it did give her an idea.”