In that regard, they’d already procured two counselors; one for Inez, and one they’d see together as a family. Lace and Vince had previously met with the second therapist to prepare themselves for what they might encounter in terms of adaptations for all of them. That woman had been upbeat about her expectations.
“Remember, the therapist assured us that most kids are resilient,” Lace reminded him, paraphrasing the phycologist. “And you and I have both witnessed Inez being tough about, well, almost everything. Which is amazing for someone who’s faced so much adversity at such a young age.”
“She’s a survivor, alright,” Vince agreed, turning into his parents’ driveway with a wince at the abrupt movement. Because, yes, hewasstill in pain, he just refused to admit it.
But he was a big boy, and Lace had decided not to harp on it any longer.
“Looks like the gang’s all here,” he said with a grin, recovering quickly to pull in behind a fleet of trucks. And one van.
Lace was no longer shy about being around this large group. She’d interacted with them all, one-on-one, and had sat with the entire bunch at the hospital during Vince’s surgery. They were just plain nice.
Of course, she’d expected nothing less, having already known Ellen. And Lace’s friend Bobbie wouldneverhave settled for a man who would bring her into a contentious situation after the miserable childhood she’d suffered.
Lace and Vince walked in to see balloons, and a banner that read: “Congratulations, it’s a girl”, after which there were back-slaps and teasing aplenty going around.
The food, of course, was amazing, and Lace didn’t think she’d ever seen a buffet that size outside of a restaurant in her entire life.
Of course, there were eighteen adults present and six children—the oldest of those being three—so the large spread was actually a necessity if no one was to leave hungry.
This gathering had been scheduled for an early hour, before everyone had to be off to work and Lace had to go for her infusion. But with how lively everyone was—even without mimosas—one would have thought it was a mid-day barbeque.
When the clock finally ticked close to wrapping-up time, Lace noted that Vince had a particularly smug look on his face as he approached.
“We need to go,” he said.
Lace tilted her head. “Can’t we just walk out when everyone else leaves?” she asked.
“No. We need to leave,first,” he reiterated with a smirk.
“What have you done?” Lace regarded him with narrowing eyes.
“I’ll tell you when we get out of here,” he whispered in her ear.
“Fine. But if you piss off these people…”
“Nothing like that,” he snickered. “Just a little joke.”
He raised his voice as he dragged Lace toward his parents. “Ma,” he invoked jovially. “This was awesome, but we’re going to hit the road. Infusions wait for no woman,” he quipped.
“Oh, kids.” Ellen Sothard took Vince’s face between her hands, kissed him, then did the same to Lace. “Good luck today. Let us know if you need anything. And don’t forget. We’re coming to your place for dinner on Saturday to spend time with Inez, ready or not.”
“We know,” Vince agreed. “And Inez will love every minute of her new Oompa and Loompa.”
Ellen slapped his chest lightly but with intent.
“I willnothave our new grandchild calling us that,” she ordered. “I’m not sure what we’ll come up with, but it willnotbe that.”
Lace wanted to giggle.
At leastnowit wouldn’t.
Ellen didn’t put her foot down very often, but when she did, all her boys listened.
“Just call us later and let us know how it’s going,” Guy Sothard put in more diplomatically. He gave Vince a man-hug on his non-boo-boo side, then pulled Lace in for a father-like squeeze.
“Will do, Pops,” Vince agreed, then took Lace’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Lace felt as if she were getting perp-walked out of the gathering. All she had time for was a quick wave on her way out, to the rest of those gathered.