The second part deals with how the mother and daughter are re-united.

Becca was standing in front of the mirror, in their room. She tucked the pillow underneath her top, to see how she would look when her tummy would begin swelling up. She turned herself and stood sideways. She slowly rubbed her palm on the imaginary baby bump and suddenly her lips broke into a smile. The door of their room suddenly opened and Stanley entered in. He paused and looked at her. She looked at him, in the mirror and chuckled. Bec, what are you doing? She removed the pillow from underneath her top and turned herself to face him. Stan, we’re going to be parents! He walked toward her and put his arms around her. Smiling he said, say that again…She came closer and whispered in his ear, You and I are going to be parents. He pulled her closer. Their lips met and embraced each other. He pulled himself from their kiss and looked deep into her eyes. Slowly putting back her bangs, he kissed her on her forehead, you have given me the best news in a very long time. I love you. She raised herself up on her toes and kissed him on his forehead and whispered I love you, too in his ear.

Becca moved out of her mother’s house about three years ago. Aretha and she decided to live together in one of the two apartments Aretha’s parents owned. Becca did not say anything to her mother but packed her bags and left one morning. A few days after she had moved out, Becca called up her mother to tell her that she was doing alright. To her surprise, Becca’s mother didn’t seem too worried. It seemed like her mother hadn’t noticed that she was gone for almost a week. Becca never telephoned her mother after that or contacted her in any other way.

     Bec, you should call your mother and give her the news. Becca was sitting on the couch with her legs on Stanley, who was sitting on the other end of the couch. Becca was glancing through the newspaper and from behind the newspaper she said, Why would I do that?
She is your mother.
She’s dead to me. Stanley removed her legs which were placed on his thigh and got up to sit closer to her. He pulled the newspaper from her hands and said, she should know that she is going to be a grandmother.
Why should she know? It’s not like cared enough to know how I’m doing.
I know that. But you need to be the bigger person, here.
I’m choosing not to.
Okay, alright. I won’t force you. Just give it some thought that is all I’m asking you to do.
I’ll think about it.
Thank you.

For three whole years Becca had no idea where her mother was or how she was doing. Every time thought of calling her ran across her mind, she immediately brushed it away. The last conversation they had would replay in her mind, settling feelings of anger within her that she would stop herself. She had around fifty emails pending in her drafts folder, to be sent to her mother. She never got the courage to actually send the emails to her mother. She loved her mother very much but she had lost her mother the day her father left them. She wanted her mother to be a part of her existence but how could she force her to be a part when she herself didn’t seem interested.

Becca was standing in front of the gas stove, cooking herself some pasta for lunch. Becca had taken an off from work. She wanted to be by herself and relax after having a busy few weeks at the office. While she was cooking, the cordless phone started ringing. She hated the sound of the ringtone but she promised Stanley that she wouldn’t change it. Not at least for another week because he loved it. She picked up the phone to see who was calling and she saw Aretha’s name flash on the screen. She answered the call. Before Aretha’s voice was heard, Becca heard the honk of vehicles.

Hey, Becca!
Hey! What’s up? How did you know that I am at home, today?
I called up at the office but there was no answer. I called on your cell phone and you weren’t picking up that either. So I thought that I’d try your house and voila!
Becca smiled. So what’s up?
I’m on my way to your house, okay?
Oh, good! I’m making pasta for lunch, so we can have lunch together.
Oh, yay! That sounds more than perfect.

They hung up the phone after saying goodbye.
About an hour later, the doorbell rings. Becca walks out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped around her hair. When she opens the door, she sees Aretha standing in front of her. When their eyes meet, a smile lights up on their faces. She opens the safety door and turns to walk inside. She asks Aretha whether she would like a glass of water but Aretha doesn’t say anything. Becca turns to ask her the same question. She sees Aretha still standing at the door.

Why are you still standing there? Come in, come.
Bec, there’s someone I’ve gotten along with me. But before getting her in, I just want to tell you that I love you and that I am only doing this because I care about you.
What’s wrong Becca, you’re scaring me now.
Nothing’s wrong. Just don’t be mad at me.
I won’t, I promise.

Okay. Suddenly after a few seconds, a woman dressed in a short kurta and cotton pants enters from behind Aretha. Streaks of grey are visible on her hair. Her eyes look tired. But in a way, she does look a lot better than three years ago. As soon as her eyes fall on Becca, her face lights up.
Mama. She walks toward Becca and puts her hands on Becca’s arms. She suddenly notices Becca’s slightly swollen belly and looks at her. Her face lights up even more than before. Becca removes herself from her mother’s hold. What are you doing here? Before her mother could answer, Aretha replied to her question, A few days ago, your mom had ringed me and she told me that she wanted to meet you. So, I arranged this.
Why didn’t you say anything?
Because Bec, if I would’ve told you, you wouldn’t have let this happen. Becca remained silent. Finally, her mother spoke, Listen Becca. Her mother always called her Becca. I wanted to see you.
After three whole years, you suddenly thought about me?
I know, I have a lot to apologize for.
Yeah, you do. You know what, forget it. I don’t need your sorry. Aretha suddenly spoke, I’m going to leave you two alone. I need to be at the parlor. Becca didn’t say anything. She just looked at her. Aretha walked out of the house and closed the door behind her. Becca and her mother stared at each other. Becca–
No mother. Don’t say anything.
No Becca, I need to. I want to. I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry that I abandoned you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t part of your life. I lost myself after your father left. I hadn’t realized what I was doing to you and to myself.
What made you realize all of a sudden?
You!
What a load of crap!
When you called me the last time, I thought that you’d return. I thought you’d come back. And when you didn’t show up, that’s what scared me. Becca, can I please be your mother again?
I don’t know. I miss you so much.
I miss you too, my love. I miss you too!

I was sitting on the couch, holding my son. He looked a lot like Stanley, especially his eyes mirrored his father. My mother entered the living room with a glass of water. As she walked toward ours, we acknowledged each other’s presence with a smile. She placed the glass of water on the table and she took the baby from me, so that I could drink the glass of water.
Mama, you’re a grandmother!
And you, a mother!
After she came to meet to see me, a few months ago, it took me a while to forgive her and to welcome her back into my life. But I did, eventually. We found a way to come back to each other. I got the mother who I’d lost.
Becca, I’m so proud of you. The way you’ve handled yourself and your life. You make me proud. You are going to be an excellent mother. I’m confident about that!
Really?
Yes, really.
I love you mom.
I love you too, Becca.