Local Lit

She had met Sean’s parents, and the parents of other significant others, but she couldn’t remember feeling this nervous before. She hadn’t seen Claudia since Audrey had arrived in Washington two long days ago. Her body ached from missing Claudia. She had spent the 48 hours of their separation willing the time to pass quicker so she could see her again.

Before she left she sat in front of her alter where she kept her God box, some candles, and statutes of the Virgin Mary and Buddha — and prayed that the meeting would go well. Then she wrote the word “Audrey” on a slip of paper and tucked it into her God box.

She felt excited like she had before junior high dances — the anticipation of hoping for some meeting that would transform her pedestrian life into something extraordinary.

The bubble burst when Claudia opened the door and gave her a quick kiss, more like the kind you’d give your friend than your lover. Not to be deterred, Rita Jane grabbed her and squeezed her. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered in Claudia’s ear. Claudia looked good. Her cheeks had some color and she looked less gaunt. Maybe a visit from her mother had been just what she needed.

Audrey got up from the couch and walked over to greet Rita Jane. Rita Jane stuck out her hand, but Audrey ignored it and wrapped her into a Texas-sized hug.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Connors,” Rita Jane said, after she pulled away from the embrace.

“My mother was Mrs. Connors. Please, call me Audrey.”

“Nice to meet you, Audrey,” Rita Jane repeated. “I brought some wine and juice,” she said to Claudia. “Shall I open them?”

“That would be lovely,” Audrey answered. Rita Jane looked at Claudia, who nodded.

Rita Jane went into the kitchen, searching for the corkscrew. Claudia followed behind her. “I’m so nervous,” Rita Jane said. “I can’t remember the last time I met someone’s parents. I want her to like me.”

“She’ll like you,” Claudia said brightly. “How can she help it?”

Claudia took three sea-green-colored Mexican glass goblets into the living room. Rita Jane followed behind with the two bottles.

Claudia sat next to her mother on the couch and Rita Jane sat in an adjoining seat. Did she imagine it, or was Claudia trying to put distance between them? She suspected she’d do the same thing if it were her parents.

Rita Jane poured the drinks and raised her glass. “A toast, to meeting the mother of the most amazing woman I have ever met.” Rita Jane noticed Audrey stiffen but she recovered quickly.

“What a charming thing to say,” Audrey said tersely, raising her glass.

Rita Jane didn’t know whether to believe her or not. She decided to steer the conversation to more neutral territory. “Are you having a nice visit?” she asked.

“Oh my yes, it’s been lovely. We saw the cherry blossoms. I’ve always wanted to see them and they were as spectacular as everyone says.”

“Mom was kind enough to drive to and from the Tidal Basin, which was more than my nerves could handle. I threw up on Route 66,” Claudia said.

“You poor thing,” Rita Jane said, sounding sympathetic, but thinking, as she had, many times before, that her body would have handled pregnancy much better than Claudia’s. She had broad hips and a more earthly shape than Claudia, who looked like a starving person whose belly was distended from hunger.

“Have you gotten to see any of the museums yet?” Rita Jane asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, we went to the Asian art museum. What’s it called, Claudia?”

“The Freer.”

“That’s right. That was lovely, too.”

“And we’re going to a performance of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company at the Kennedy Center.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Rita Jane said, feeling hurt that she hadn’t been included. There was a pause in the conversation. Rita Jane studied her glass for what felt like a long time. Finally, Audrey broke the silence.

“Claudia tells me you’re an artist.”

Rita Jane nodded, trying to gauge from Audrey’s tone if she could sense any judgment. People were usually fascinated by or judgmental of her career choice. Rita Jane couldn’t tell with Audrey.

“Yes, I’m a painter,” she said.

“What do you paint?” Audrey asked. Rita Jane smiled to herself, thinking about the piece she was working on now, a nude of Claudia.

Claudia interrupted. “She paints all kinds of things, Momma. She just did a show not too long ago called ‘The Color of Fear’ based on the terrorism color-coded alerts that the administration is always putting out.”

“Oh,” Audrey said, as though unsure what more to say. “That sounds very interesting.”

“I bought one,” Claudia said, getting up from the couch and walking over to the stairs. She walked up to the landing of the staircase where the painting was hanging and brought it over to her mother.

Rita Jane tensed as she waited for Audrey’s reaction. She probably wouldn’t like it. It was too abstract. Audrey studied it closely, as though she were really trying to understand it. Rita Jane waited with her breath held. Finally Audrey said, “That’s really good. You’re obviously very talented.”

Rita Jane blushed and let out her breath. “Thank you.”

“Mom was an art history major,” Claudia explained.

“Really?” Rita Jane asked, surprised.

“Yes, but there’s not much call for art history majors in Texas, I’m afraid. I haven’t really done anything with my degree.”

Audrey took a long sip of her wine and put down her glass. She didn’t protest when Rita Jane refilled it.

“Girls, I know this is a bit awkward, but I think we have to discuss a few things like how are the two of you going to raise this child?”

Rita Jane hadn’t been expecting Audrey to bring up the subject so frankly or so soon. She wasn’t sure what to say. Before she had a chance to say anything, Audrey asked, “Do your parents know? Are they supportive?”

Rita Jane flinched. “Well, they know Claudia is pregnant and they know I’m planning on raising the child with her.” She took a large sip of wine gauging how to continue.

Audrey sensed her hesitation. “What is it sugar?”

“They don’t know that we’re, together. I’ve never been with a woman before. Romantically, I mean.”

Audrey laughed so hard she had to put her glass down. “Sweetheart, I think that if you’ve told them about the baby, the other piece will pale in comparison. How did they react? Are they excited about being grandparents?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I think they’re embarrassed. They don’t know how they’ll explain it to their friends. Or to the priest. They’re Catholic.”

“Yes, I see. Well, I’m sure it is a bit of a shock,” Audrey said. “I can vouch for that.” She took a large swig of wine then looked Rita Jane straight in the eye. “When exactly are you planning on telling them?”

Rita Jane felt idiotic. “I don’t know.”

Audrey nodded. “What about Dan? What role is he going to play?”

Rita Jane and Claudia looked at each other. “We haven’t totally figured that out yet,” Claudia admitted.

Audrey raised an eyebrow. Rita Jane looked away and drained her glass of wine and poured herself another.

“Honestly, Momma I wasn’t trying to get pregnant,” Claudia said. “We used a condom.” Rita Jane shot her a glance, trying to catch her attention. She knew they had not used a condom.

Audrey burst out laughing. “You sound like a teenager. You know the women in our family are very fertile. Why we only need a man to look at us and we become pregnant. We drop babies like there was no tomorrow.”

Claudia and Rita Jane sat quietly feeling like children being scolded. Audrey finished her second glass of wine. “I hate to say this, but it doesn’t seem like you’ve thought this thing out very well.”

Without planning what she was going to say, Rita Jane blurted out, “It’s not her fault. I talked her into having the baby. I was the one who wanted to get pregnant. I’ve wanted to be pregnant for at least the last five years. When my fiancé broke up with me I decided to ask Dan, who’s my best friend, to be a sperm donor.” The words flew out of her. Why was she telling her all of this? “Then I found out that I probably can’t have children so I was going to adopt. That’s when Claudia told me she was pregnant and we decided to raise the child together.”

“I’d hardly say it is your fault, Rita Jane. You didn’t force Claudia to get pregnant. It sounds to me like you’re helping out the two of them who are too wrapped up in their careers to think about anyone besides themselves.”

Rita Jane hadn’t looked at the situation that way before. It made her feel comforted, like she was doing a good thing instead of being selfish.

“Do you think your relationship is ready for the stress of raising a child?” Audrey asked. Claudia looked on the verge of tears.

“I think we’ll do okay,” Rita Jane said, trying not to sound too defensive. “We’ll probably do as well as most people.”

“I’m not so sure,” Claudia said. “I think I’m going to be a horrible mother.” Claudia burst into tears. Rita Jane put her arm around her.

“Nonsense,” Audrey said, “Once you make up your mind to do something, you always do a good job. I’m sure you’ll both be competent parents.” Rita Jane wondered if she really meant it.

“People don’t tell you this, but parenting puts a big strain on relationships. It sure did with your daddy anyway. Lord knows it might be easier when you have two women doing it together. Your father was not very helpful when you children were born. I think the whole thing freaked him out.”

“We’re going to need your help Momma,” Claudia said.

Audrey reached over across the couch and held her daughter. “You’ve got it, baby girl. You too,” she said to Rita Jane, patting the seat on the couch next to her, inviting her to join in as she wrapped her arms around both of them.