I parked the Tahoe in the garage and headed into the house. As I closed the door a familiar voice called out from the living room.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, Tara," I responded, "I'll be right there."
I put my overnight bag away and headed for the living room. My daughter was sprawled on the couch, phone in her hand.
"I'm surprised I beat you home," she commented as I entered the room, "wild night?"
"Not really," I lied, "Pam and I got to talking this morning and lost track of time."
"How's she doing?"
"She's doing great, always asks about you."
"Well, tell her I said hello."
"I will, what are your plans?"
She shrugged.
"Want to get some lunch?"
I suddenly realized I was starving.
"Sure, where to?"
"Doesn't matter to me, why don't you figure out what's open, I need to get a quick shower."
She nodded in assent and I headed back to my bedroom.
45 minutes later we were in the Tahoe headed to a local brew pub. On a whim we caught a movie after lunch then headed home.
Back at the house, we made our way to the living room, Tara returning to the couch and I sat in the recliner.
"Can I ask you something, Mom?"
"Anything."
"Is everything OK?"
"Yes, of course, why?"
"You just seem... distant, I guess. Distracted maybe? I don't know. You aren't upset about Christmas, and the cruise and all?"
"No, not at all. I mean, I'd rather have had you here, but I understand. You're grown up now, and I knew the day was coming when the holidays would change. It was going to happen sooner or later regardless. Our...situation just made it a little sooner than I expected."
"You're sure, you're not upset or anything?"
"No, I'm fine with that...well not fine, if I could have my way, I'd spend every Christmas with you till Armageddon, but I know better. I'm not upset at all."
"Is something else wrong?"
I looked at her for a moment, I hated the thought of lying to my daughter.
"Nothing's wrong, it's just that, well... I sort of met someone. And it's been a long time since...well since anything. I mean, you know your father was the only guy I ever dated. So, everything is new, and confusing and..."
Before I could finish my sentence, she was off the couch and wrapping her arms around me.
"Oh, Mom, that's wonderful, I'm so happy for you."
"Really?" I stammered, realizing I was tearing up.
"Really, Mom," she said squeezing me tighter.
"I just thought maybe you'd be..."
"No, never. Mom, I love you and I want you to be happy. It's kind of like you were saying about Christmas. Yeah, if it was up to me, you and dad would still be together, but I get it. I don't blame anybody. Heck, almost all my friends' parents are divorced, I'm just happy you two don't hate each other. I'm glad you met someone, I hope he's wonderful, and I can't wait to meet him."
"He is wonderful," I replied giving her a squeeze back, "and thank you for being such a wonderful daughter."
"Good parenting, definitely good parenting," she said with a grin as she let go of me and stood up.
I wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Mom."
She headed for the kitchen, calling out over her shoulder, "Need anything?"
"Coke, please."
She returned with two drinks and a bag of pretzels. We spent the next two hours watching HGTV, making fun of people's appalling design choices and wondering how anyone could possible afford some of those houses.
An episode ended and Tara stood and stretched.
"I think I'm going to bed Mom," she announced and headed off.
"Me too."
I turned off the TV, checked the locks and retreated to my bedroom. I started to change into an old nightshirt, then changed my mind. Settling on a purple camisole, I climbed into bed and picked up my phone and texted Oliver.
"Are you awake?"
"It's only 9:30."
"Happy New Year, I miss you."
"I miss you too."
I got up and went to the bedroom door, quietly opening it. I peered out, and seeing Tara's door was closed I crept down the hallway. I could hear her snoring through the door. It had always amused me that someone so tiny could snore that deeply. No question she got that from her dad.
"Want to come over?"
"I thought Tara was there?"
"She's asleep"
The message showed "read" then a long wait.