Arms Wide Open by Donna Jay

Author:Donna Jay
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-07-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Shortly after eleven, Yvonne pulled to a stop outside her parents’ home. They’d moved to New Plymouth a few years ago, stating they wanted to be closer to Nathan and the kids; their only grandchildren.

Yvonne could’ve taken the comment as a kick in the teeth, but her mother had known long before she came out that she didn’t want kids.

Maternal feelings had never materialised. Hell, even now she didn’t like playing pass-the-baby when an excited parent handed their newborn around the room.

In no hurry to get out of the car but desperate to pee, Yvonne stretched her legs. “How’s your bladder?” she asked Julie.

“Fine. I didn’t drink a litre of water.”

“Maybe you should’ve.”

“These wrinkles are from age.” Julie pointed to the corner of her eyes. “Not from being a dried-up old prune.”

“Unlike my mother.” Yvonne couldn’t believe she’d said the words. “Shit, that wasn’t very nice.”

Nor was her mother at times, but that was no excuse for stooping to her level. She would always love the woman who gave her life, it was just a shame her love came with conditions.

Although, Yvonne was guilty of the same. She loved her mother, but she would never embrace her bigotry. Just like her mother would never embrace her marriage.

It was what it was, and Yvonne had made her peace with it, or so she told herself.

“Come on.” Julie cracked open the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

Taking a deep breath, Yvonne grabbed her handbag and climbed out. The air was crisp, the sky clear blue.

Julie pointed to Mount Taranaki, looming in the distance. “Looks beautiful, doesn’t it?”

“It does, but I’d freeze my arse off.” Just the thought of getting any closer to the snow-capped mountain made her shiver.

Thank goodness it never snowed in Feilding.

Julie opened the gate to the white picket fence. “After you, my lady.”

Charmed, Yvonne stepped through. Her parents’ home was cliché picture perfect. Colourful gardens, immaculate lawns year-round, wraparound porch, unobscured view of Mount Taranaki, BMW parked in the driveway.

The gate had barely swung shut when two teenagers came barrelling down the porch steps.

Hannah sprinted ahead of her brother, long hair flying through the air.

She flung her arms around Yvonne. “It’s good to see you, Aunty Yvonne.” She pulled out of her arms and hugged Julie. “You too, Aunty Julie.”

“Don’t let Gran hear you say that.” James, who was more subdued than his outgoing sister, looked around nervously.

“She’s half-deaf, and who cares anyway? Julie is our aunty.”

“Whatever.” He shrugged. “Hi, Julie.” He dipped his head. “Aunty Yvonne.”

“Hey, kid.” She pulled him into a hug. “You look more and more like your father every day.”

Smiling, he pulled out of her arms. “I’m better looking than him.”

“Pfft.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “Dream on.”

“Well don’t stand out there and catch a chill.” Yvonne turned in the direction of the voice. Her dad stood with a hand resting on the porch rail. “Come give your old man a hug.”

Joy lit up Yvonne’s insides. She smiled at Julie and rushed to do her dad’s bidding.

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