Strawberries in Winter by Kerri Augusto

Author:Kerri Augusto
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2008-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Three

“We might be shackin’ up,” Claire announced. “Ami’s lease is up in November, and we’re talking about buying a house together.” Claire had been visiting Kyra and Ava for about forty-five minutes, lavishing compliments on eight-week-old baby Tess and trying to convince Kyra to take a nap. Kyra refused, as always, claiming she was “doing great” and didn’t need the rest. She might have been convincing, had she put concealer on the dark circles beneath her lower lashes, but even that small self-indulgence seemed to require too much energy.

“You’re buying a house?” Ava asked. She’d been sitting quietly in on the sofa, cooing to Tess as if they were the only two people in the room. Her voice was too loud and too anxious, causing a collective jerk of surprise from Claire and Kyra. Ava’s gaze settled on Claire for the briefest of moments and she looked confused, as if she were trying to recall who she was addressing. Her eyes darted back to Kyra. “Are you moving?” she asked, the edge of panic rising in her voice. “Are you taking Kyra away?”

“I am Kyra, Mom. And no, I’m not moving.” Kyra’s reply was gentle and reassuring. She had given up trying to convince Ava her baby’s name was “Tess”. Each time someone corrected her, Ava flew into a confused rage inevitably followed by an embarrassed depression and hours upon hours of tears. The doctors had advised Kyra to just go along with her mother’s confusion, correcting her only when the errors posed a safety threat.

Kyra gestured toward Claire. “Claire is moving, Mom. She’s moving in with her girlfriend, Amelia.” She searched Ava’s face, hoping the reference to a woman would not add to Ava’s confusion. Ava smiled and Kyra could almost see one of the rare threads of understanding snake across the space between them.

“Oh, Claire, I’m so happy for you. That’s wonderful. You and Amelia make a lovely couple.” Ava relaxed into the worn leather couch and lifted her coffee cup from the wooden coaster on the antique end table. She took a sip and wrinkled her nose. “I think I’ve let this cool a bit too long. If you will excuse me, I’m going to reheat my cup and take it up to my room.” Kyra watched her leave, eyes glued to the kitchen door until she saw her emerge safely.

Tess began to stir slightly, and Kyra lifted her from the low bassinette and settled her carefully on her lap. “Hey, angel,” she cooed. “Did you decide to wake up for us?” Tess blinked her aquamarine eyes and placed her tiny hand in her mouth. “Are you hungry?”

Kyra moved to the overstuffed gliding rocker Stephen had bought for the living room, settled Tess in the crook of her arm and struggled to unhook her bra cup. She guided Tess’s face to her breast and felt the familiar sharp pulling sensation as Tess started to suck.

“She’s a great eater,” Claire praised.

“She really is. I swear she eats every hour, though.

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