They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 09

They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 09

By the next summer, I was pregnant.

Cole built me a swing by the sycamore tree downstairs. After tying the last rope, he sat on it first. “Solid. Try it, Willa.”

I sat down, and he pushed me gently from behind. The evening breeze was cool and silky against my

skin.

After that, I sat there every evening.

A lot had happened at home. Zane kept messaging me-maybe hoping I’d read them.

Zane: [Mom sits in your room all the time. If you can, just call her.]

Zane: [Nora’s marriage isn’t going well. She keeps running home.]

Zane: [Mom learned to cook light dishes. She’s been waiting for you.]

Zane: [Willa… will you ever come back?]

I was eating strawberries my mother-in-law had brought when I read the last one. I flinched and

spilled juice on my shirt.

A hand reached from behind and took my phone. “Stop reading this stuff. It messes with your

mood.”

Cole handed me a glass of water. “Did the baby kick?” I shook my head, looking at my rounded belly. My heart was full of anticipation.

One afternoon, when my belly had grown even bigger, I was feeling tired from a walk and had just

sat down.

Cole came back with two people-my mom, her back a little more bent, walking slow; my dad, supporting her, looking out of place.

I shot to my feet.

My mother-in-law shouted, “Slow down, Willa! You’re going to give me a heart attack! Want a cushion? We’re having fish tonight, okay?”

She followed my gaze and saw my parents. Her smile faded slightly. After a brief exchange, she walked away with Cole.

My mom tried to step forward, then pulled back. She forced a smile. “Willa, you’ve gained weight.”

“Yeah. My mother-in-law’s a great cook. I love everything she makes.”

I didn’t mean anything by it–but my mom seemed crushed. Her voice was hoarse.

“I was wrong. I should’ve cared more about you. You’ve always been more capable than Nora, so I

thought she needed me more. But I forgot-good kids feel pain too.”

Dad’s hair was mostly gray now. He still said little, just one sentence after Mom finished: “Willa, I made you a new dowry chest.”

In the past, I wouldn’t have known what to do with my hands. But now-strangely, I felt nothing

Looking at them, I didn’t know what to say. It was like a knot I thought would never come undone had finally loosened.

“I understand.” The words came out stiff and cold. Mom’s tears fell.

My fingers twitched, but I couldn’t reach out. I’d never be like Nora, casually clinging to Mom’s

arm.

“Your sister’s getting divorced. She’s been spoiled since childhood-they said they didn’t want to marry a princess. I’m just letting you know. Nothing more.”

She went on, telling me about family, offering pregnancy advice. I wanted to say that my mother-in-law and Cole already told me this every day. But I held back and just listened, nodding

occasionally.

Cole came out now and then, handing me an apple or a shawl. When my parents were about to leave,

he politely invited them to stay. They refused.

Before they left, my mom asked, “Willa… are you coming home this year?”

I said nothing. Cole answered, “When we have time.”

She said “Okay” twice, then turned and left with Dad.

When they were gone, I glanced at Cole. “When did you contact my parents behind my back?”

He raised his hands. “I swear on my life, they called me.” Then he grew serious. “But Willa, you have to face it someday.”

I’d been getting more sentimental lately. That one line almost made me cry. I was about to throw myself into his arms when my mother-in-law called out, “Hug later! Come eat the cherries first.”

I laughed at Cole’s exasperated face. “Listen to Mom. We’ll hug later.”