Read Online The Dance by Alison G. Bailey - Free Book Online Page A

faint smile ghosted across my mother in-law’s shriveled bright red lips. “How are you, dear?”
    “Pretty good. Thanks. How are you doing?”
    She stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her. “Let’s have a little girl chat.”
    She led me over to the side of the porch toward two large white wicker rockers and motioned for me to sit.
    “Bryson, you know I don’t like to meddle in my children’s lives.”
    This must be something new she’s trying out.
    “Will has been coming home with his father a few nights a week.”
    “Oh really?”
    “Yes, for a while, in fact.”
    I nodded and tried not to show my surprise.
    “They grab a couple of beers and sit outside on the patio talking business and life. I’ve asked Will several times if everything is okay . . . at home. He says yes but a mother knows.” With pity in her eyes, she patted my knee. “You’ll understand someday . . . I hope and pray.”
    Karen Forsyth had always been fairly pleasant toward me over the years I dated her youngest son. Granted it, I didn’t come in contact with her that much. And with my head being so full of Will, I never noticed her snide subtleties. Since the wedding I’d either become overly sensitive or she had gotten more ballsy. Something had definitely caused her personality to go in a different direction. The words she used weren’t offensive on their own. It was the tone of her voice coupled with her steely look that told me in no uncertain terms that she was the queen bee of the Forsyth family. I never confronted her when an insult came out draped in southern sweetness. I remained respectful and let it go in one ear and out the other. But today I wasn’t in the mood.
    “With all due respect, is there a point coming?” I said as my fingers dug into the armrest.
    “I’m concerned about Will. He seems restless. Unsatisfied.”
    “It’s been a rough six months for both of us.”
    “We were so excited for our first grandchild to arrive.” A wistful expression seeped across her crackly over-made-up face. “Gosh, when the ladies at the Junior League heard you were pregnant they immediately started planning two baby showers, one blue and one pink. They were prepared for whatever popped out. Mr. Forsyth and I were simply inconsolable when Will called us with the horrific news. Funny how we place so much hope and joy on a little one even before they enter this world.”
    “Sorry to disappoint you and the Junior League.” My words were clipped.
    Waving her hand, she said, “Oh, don’t worry about them. It’s Will who needs your attention. The doctor has given you the green light to start trying again, correct?”
    “Yes, physically she gave me the all clear.”
    “That’s wonderful. Are you making yourself available to Will?”
    Squaring my shoulders, I looked directly into her dark brown eyes. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
    “Will is my son.”
    “Will is my husband. When and if we decide to try again is our business.”
    “Y’all don’t want to wait too long. How old are you, hon . . . twenty-five, twenty-six?”
    “I’ll be twenty-six in three months.”
    “Unfortunately you lost some time but you’re still in your prime. You want to have your four children at least two years apart.”
    “Will and I need to have one child before we even think about a final head count.”
    She reached over, placing her hand on top of mine. “Why of course. That’s completely up to y’all. Four is a wonderful goal to aim for, though. Jonathan and I would be over the moon delighted with whatever number you settle on. It’s just we aren’t getting any younger. We want to be able to spoil our grandbabies for as long as possible. I know it’s difficult but you have to put that little hiccup behind you. Get back up on the horse.”
    “I will definitely inform Will that his mother suggested I start riding him as soon as possible.” I rose abruptly, causing her hand to fall away.
    “No need