The Lighter Side of Large Read Free Page B

husband and now she’s trying to steal my kids and be their stepmum. Soon Abe and Fi won’t like me and won’t want to see me anymore. They can give them toys and games and everything while I have to scrimp and save for months to buy things. She did it on purpose. She did it because she’s a mean, spiteful komo mai tainga! ” I didn’t know much of the Samoan language, but I did know the curse words. “Oh, Dad, why does this happen to me?”
    Dad holds me, patting my back and murmuring something soothing yet unintelligible. Finally the tears subside. Dad hands me a tissue from the box on the side table. I blow my nose and wipe my eyes as he sits there, smiling.
    “Bella, you are a wonderful daughter, a wonderful woman and a wonderful mother. I don’t know why Mika left you and I don’t know why your sister did what she did. She’s hurting, too, you know. Ripped from her family at such a tender age, no wonder she’s untrusting.”
    “Because she’s untrustworthy,” I say bitterly.
    Dad sighs. “But it’s done and there’s no going back. Life is like this sometimes.”
    I’m not certain if he is referring to Tiresa’s betrayal of me or her being taken away. “But life is always like this for me,” I grumble. “It’s not fair.”
    “Life isn’t fair,” Dad continues. “Is it fair that your mother died? Is it fair her family took Tiresa away? Is it fair that I had cancer? No, no, and no. So it’s up to you to make it work even when it’s not fair. Life is what you make it. You don’t have to be a suffering single mother. You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last. Make your life count and enjoy it and soon someone will come along and love you more than Mika ever did.”
    “How?” I ask, tears welling up again. “I don’t know how.”
    Dad moves back to his recliner.
    “Now I’ve made you tired, Dad. I’m sorry. Is there anything I can get for you? Let me make you a cup of tea.”
    “That would be lovely.” Dad smiles and attempts to adjust the pillow behind him. I get up, sofa springs groan again, and fluff the pillow for him. “Thank you,” he says and takes my hand. “You do so much for others. Make sure you take care of yourself. Make your life count by taking charge. Don’t let life run you. You run it.”
    “Of course, Dad, you’re right.” I sniffle and smile and give him a hug. Easier said than done, I think, but to please Dad, it’s easier to pretend I agree.
    Dad picks up the crossword puzzle and pencil. “And don’t worry about finding the right man. He’s out there. And not just any old schmuck. You need someone who sees that your river runs so deep that he can’t help falling in.”
    I make him a cup of tea and a sandwich and serve them on a tray. “I have to go now. Tiresa’s coming soon to pick up the kids.”
    “Send her my love,” Dad says.
    “I will, Dad,” I reply. But it’s a lie. I have no intention of telling Tiresa what he says. She abandoned him and stole my life and doesn’t deserve love or trust.
    •
    I arrive home just in time to pay the babysitter and pack a few clothes for the kids before Tiresa arrives. My stomach is in knots before I hear her car – her very expensive car - pull into the driveway. I don’t want her in my home so she waits at the end of the walk, just outside the garden gate while I hustle Abe and Fi out the door.
    “Aunt Tiresa!” they shriek and rush to greet her. Each laugh and smile is a stab to my heart. I waddle down the walkway after them and hand Tiresa their suitcases.
    “Don’t forget to feed Snowball,” Fi calls. Snowball is their pet rabbit, a white one with red eyes.
    “I won’t, honey,” I call back. Fi is always worried I’ll forget to feed Snowball.
    Tiresa takes the suitcases and stands there avoiding eye contact, like she’s waiting for me to say something. She knows that I know about the wedding. No doubt she’s waiting for some tirade or snarky comment. Instead, I fold my hands and