Chapter 26 - Odessa Becomes a Mother
Odessa had a daughter at thirty-five.
Claire June Sutton-Reyes.
Claire for her mother.
June for June Mercer.
Her husband, Mateo Reyes, joked:
“That is a lot of legacy for one baby.”
Odessa answered:
“She can change her name at eighteen.”
Good.
When little Claire started preschool, Odessa packed her lunch herself.
Not every day.
Sometimes Mateo.
Sometimes school meal.
No ritualized trauma.
One morning Claire forgot her lunchbox.
Teacher called.
Odessa laughed.
“Give her cafeteria lunch.”
“Any allergies?”
“No.”
“Payment?”
“Charge account.”
Then Odessa stopped.
“Actually, if a kid’s account is negative, what happens?”
Teacher explained.
Everyone receives the same meal.
Second Bell contract.
Odessa smiled.
“Perfect.”
She hung up.
No crying.
No speech.
Then called me.
“Dad.”
“Yes?”
“Mom’s rule is at Claire’s school.”
“I know.”
“Don’t make it emotional.”
“You called me.”
May you like
“Fair.”
We laughed.
