Becca by Jennie Taylor Page A

through, if this is because all the available guys are dead, it’s all worth it. Okay, that’s not true. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find one bright light in all this dreariness.  
     
    “What would our kid be like?” she asked.
    “Huh? I don’t know.”
    “We’d have to teach her all the girly stuff. It’s not like she’ll be able to read magazines or watch television to see any of that.”
    “We could still get magazines.”
    “But she’d have to learn how to be tough and take charge, like you.”
    “And how to comfort others like you do.”
    “You’re Mom is a really good cook, so maybe she’d teach her granddaughter some of that?”
    “I think she’d freak out if she had a granddaughter at this point.”
    “What if we had a boy? We both suck at sports.”
    “Dad could help there, maybe.” If he isn’t too angry about having a grandson from his lesbian daughter’s girlfriend.
     
     
    Tuesday, May 10 th  
     
I stayed up all night. I wanted to make sure Bridget was asleep before I snuck down here.
    Today is her fourteenth birthday. A special day for her. I’m not letting this messed up situation ruin it for her.
     
    It was still dark outside when I finished frosting the cake. Tasha was with me by then. She had slept a few hours, but then come down looking for me about four A.M.
     
    “I like the decorations.” she said.
    “Oh, thanks.” I hung little streamers around the room.
    “You’re working so hard for this.” She said. She came over and leaned her chin on my shoulder from behind. “This is really sweet.”
    “I just want Bridget to have a good birthday.”
    “What did you get her?” she asked. She nodded at the pile of presents on the table.
    “I got her this really cute dress, and a gold necklace and earring set.”
    “You’ve put so much thought into this. I hope your mom is up to coming out for it.”
    “Me too.”
     
    Mom is still sick. She’s gotten just a little better. Not a lot. I’m so worried about her, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ve gotten books and tried to find information, but her symptoms point toward pneumonia. We’ve done everything we can for that. There are things she needs done that we can’t really do, but we even brought an oxygen mask and tanks for her. Maybe she just needs more time.  
     
    “This is it.” Tasha said to me. She kissed my cheek.
    “Careful, I don’t want to mess up her name.”
    “Sorry.”
    “This is what?”
    “This is when I knew for sure.”  
    “What are you talking about?”
    “That I’m completely in love with you, Rebecca Lang. No doubts now.”
     
    I stopped and turned toward her. She’s got tears in her eyes. I started crying. I’ve wanted this so badly. And now she’s saying it. She’s sure now. No going back. No worries that she’ll change her mind. One thing she promised me weeks ago is that she wouldn’t ever tell me she was sure until she absolutely was.
     
    “I love you so much, Tasha.”
    “I love you too, angel.” She hugged me and kissed me. “But you better finish your cake. And try not to get tears on it.”
     
    When everyone was awake we hurried Bridget in and sang happy birthday. She cried. It was so cool that it meant that much to her. We even got Mom out to eat some cake. And Bridget loved all her gifts. It was great.
     
    In the afternoon Dad took Bridget out and showed her how to drive. She’s too young, really, but I doubt she’s going to get pulled over and asked for her license. Besides, she was really enjoying it. It was something she always wanted, and he wanted her to be happy on her birthday. We couldn’t take her to Disney World, we couldn’t go to the mall, so he did this for her.
     
    “I know Mom would have wanted to spend some time with you today, make it special.” I told Bridget. I actually went into her room and tucked her in. “She’s going to get better soon, Bridget.”
    “I don’t know if she is. Do you really think so,