Apparently, my mom is a late bloomer.
Tanya was gone for the day. Who knows where? Sometimes she tells Sambuca and I where she is off to, like going into the office. Other times, she gives the standard line to us, “I will be back in five minutes. Love you.”
It’s never just five minutes. I know now. It is usually anywhere between three to five naps before there is any sign of my mom. I always hear the car pull up into the driveway and then Sambuca and I run to the door. We bark. We cry. Why isn’t she at the door already? Until, finally, we see her. The door opens and we jump on her, and Sambuca lets out a shriek.
It literally sounds like someone is hurting her. But that’s not the case. That’s just how she sounds in pure excitement. If people don’t know Sambuca and they hear her for the first time, it can be alarming. After a while, you kind of get used to the few seconds of shrieking.
Tanya bends down and we both shower her with kisses on her face. Sambuca lets out a few more cries. This is the standard welcome home greeting.
After the fifth nap, I jump off the sectional and get myself a drink of water. I reappear in the living room and Sambuca is awake. “Do you want to hear a story about Tanya?” she asks.
Of course! Whatcha got for me, big sis?
Did you know that Tanya used to date boys, she asks?
She did?? A boy? Like you mean a guy like our Uncle Mike or Uncle Blake?
Sambuca nods her head.
This is fascinating. Well, what happened? Did she go out with either of those dudes?
No silly, Sambuca tells me. I met Tanya after she was ten years with Auntie Natasha.
Auntie Natasha? I raise an eyebrow.
She sighs. Remember, the nice lady with Auntie Julie, and they live in Montreal? We visited them a while ago.
I nod my head. Vaguely. Tanya knows a lot of people, in so many places, and it’s hard for me to keep track. I pretend to recall.
Well after Tanya and Natasha got divorced, our mom was dating both men and women. Apparently, Tanya dated guys most of her life.
OMG. I wish I had some popcorn right now.
I met a David. He was handsome and smart and even played guitar.
David? What happened to him? I lean in. This story is getting better by the second.
I’m not sure, Sambuca tells me. They spent some time together and then no longer.
Then she met JD.
JD? Is that a guy or girl? I wish we had access to a whiteboard so Sambuca could map out Tanya’s love life for me. I learn better with visuals.
JD was a girl and Tanya fell madly in love. Like she was all googly eyed for this chick. It didn’t last long with her either. This person liked both men and women too.
Fascinating.
Geez, I guess that is what happens when you are ten years with the same person, you explore.
Who was next? Who was next? The suspense is killing me.
Sambuca sits up. I could tell she was thinking. We definitely need to draw on something.
Then it was Poem.
Poem?
Well, I cannot remember her name. It was very unique, so let’s go with that. She too was smart and into video games.
What are video games? I raise an eyebrow.
Sambuca shrugs. Not too sure but it involved Poem sitting for many hours with some device in her hands and staring at the TV.
They went on a big trip together when Tanya turned forty, but I’ll save that story for another time.
Then there was Marie. Tanya moved us from Montreal, Quebec to Rothesay, New Brunswick. This was a huge thing for her! She had to say good-bye to a place where she had called home for over forty years, shut down her small business and leave family and friends behind.
Oh wow! What happened to Marie and momma?
She dumped her over the phone.
What the……was my reaction.
Sambuca nods her head. Yeah, over da phone. Trust me, it was pretty sad and dark for a while, for our poor mom. That too is another story.
So many more stories to come. Being alone with Sambuca isn’t so bad after all.
Did Tanya try again dating a guy after that happened?
Nope, Sambuca tells me with conviction.
Tanya is a Les Brian.
A Les Brian? OMG so much to learn today.
Yes, that means she likes girls. Actually, the proper word is lesbian but she sometimes uses the play on words. Get it? Les Brian. It could be someone’s actual name. Sambuca starts laughing.
I shrug. No, I don’t get it.
My eyes lids feel heavy. I need another nap.
All I know is that I love my mom. And, as long as she is healthy and happy, that is all that matters to me.
And oh, by the way, Tanya is single and ready to mingle.
I think she’s a cutie and if you read my stories on a regular basis, you know she’s also caring and very loving. Plus she comes with two amazing miniature schnauzers!!
Of course, any potential females out there would have to get the Sambuca and Appy stamp of approval first. Please check her out on her Instagram handle: tfmca1. Tell her Appy sent you!!
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