His friend, Cal, had a perfectly pleasant mom, but she wasn't anything special.
He hadn't met her yet, but Teddy felt certain his new mother would be the most special woman who'd ever lived. Upon her arrival, he believed his life would become easier.
He remembered how Gail had accidentally put his wool sweater in the wash. His new mom won't make such silly mistakes.
She'll hardly ever raise her voice. She'll stay nearby without smothering him or making him feel like a baby. She'll kiss him goodnight and tuck him in.
"Here you go." Mrs. Williams set the plated sandwich in front of him. "There's more where that came from, so please speak up for seconds."
She wanted a compliment, but before he gave her one, more information was needed.
"What is this?" He asked, not believing anyone should bite into anything they don't fully understand. Truthfully, he didn't understand any of the food eaten at Cal's house.
"It's vegan cream cheese on a gluten-free baguette, with layers of sundried tomatoes and kale. Oh, I forgot the chips." She stepped back to rummage through the large pantry, then produced a small bag of Vegan Bob's Asparagus Chips.
He stifled a gag.
"There's no reason to settle for greasy, high-fat potato chips, when there are so many healthy alternatives," she said.
"Wow. Thank you." He tried his best to look sincere. "This looks almost as good as the vegan tuna and pickled zucchini I had last time I was here."
His Dad had raised him to have good manners. He understood that manners are something you have to live up to. You can't ever go slack in that department or people won't like you.
Cal's four-year-old sister reached for the chip bag. Having no use for it, he popped the bag open and waved it in front of her face. She giggled as she grabbed for it.
She doesn't know any better, he thought to himself. The poor girl will never know the pleasure of a pork rind or Cheeto.
Mrs. Williams served sliced bananas to Cal's baby brother, who was just learning to walk and still in a high chair. Those bananas must be the only good food in the entire house, he thought.
"Teddy, you're always so appreciative of my efforts. I wish Cal understood how hard I work to keep everyone well-nourished."
He nodded, feeling pity for the entire Williams clan, who had to endure wretched food day after day. His new mom will understand the importance of tasty food. He'd have a mother who gave him hotdogs smothered in chili and big bowls of beef stew with real meat.
Right now he wished for Gail's SPAM and noodle casserole. Gail might be a slack housekeeper and childminder, but she always managed just the right mix of carbs and fat.
"Where's Cal? Surely he's not still washing his hands. I called the two of you to lunch over ten minutes ago." Mrs. Williams wore a look of mild irritation.
"He's in the bathroom making a stinker, and you don't want to rush that. My Gramps got hemorrhoids and had surgery. He had to sit on a donut pillow for weeks afterwards. Uncle Elliot says they had to build Gramps a whole new asshole. So I think Cal should take his time, don't you?"
"Yes, I suppose you're right," she said, chuckling over the image of Carrick Grey on a small round cushion.
Teddy remembered something he'd heard and decided maybe his friend's mother was the right person to question. He'd tried to research the matter on his phone, but his dad had imposed all kinds of lame parental controls. There were key words and timers that locked him out. He didn't want to ask anyone from his family, because they'd want to know why he was asking.
Mrs. Williams appeared relaxed, sipping her oat milk matcha. This was his chance.
He took a deep breath.
"What's a skank?"
Mrs. Williams swallowed hard and set the mug down on the counter.
"Where'd you hear that?" His instincts had been right. This indeed was a word children weren't supposed to know.
"Uncle Elliot."
"Elliot...of course," she said, shaking her head in amusement.
"Well? What's a skank?" He would not be denied an answer.
Mrs. Williams looked at her two younger children, trying to decide how she'd answer the question.
"A skank is a sleazy, unpleasant person. Usually the term refers to a woman of low character."
"Do skanks steal and break the law?" He knew adults liked to speak in generalities and he wanted specifics.
"Not necessarily. Usually it refers to women who have inappropriate relationships with men."
"I see," he said, putting two and two together. He'd always been good at math and puzzles. "May I please have more water?"
"Of course." She smiled brightly at him as she filled his glass with water from a filtered carafe. She was an attentive mother and a pretty woman, but not nearly as caring and lovely as his new mother was going to be.
He had written multiple letters to Santa, emotional appeals laying out all the reasons he needed a mother. Cal had tried to convince him that Santa is a fable, and while logic told him that his friend was probably correct, his heart told him something else.
Teddy needed to believe in Santa, because he needed a mother. His dad wasn't doing his part, and as far as he knew, hadn't even dated anyone.
"How well did you know my mother?" He asked. He knew Mrs. Williams had known his dad for a long time. Her husband and his dad had been medical school classmates.
The question startled Leila Williams. No one ever spoke of Susannah Grey, the mostly forgotten woman who had quickly and quietly exited Seattle four years prior.
"I suppose I knew her as well as anyone did," she said, recalling his mother's capricious and impulsive behavior.
"Was she a skank?" He was curious about a conversation he'd overheard between his dad and uncle.
Teddy's inquiry took her breath away. She wondered how much the boy knew about the circumstances leading to his mother's departure and eventual death.
"We should never speak ill of the dead." Her even, measured tone irritated the boy. "She wasn't perfect. None of us are. I'm sure she loved you very much."
"Uh-huh." He processed what she said and realized his mother must have made some mistakes. She loved him, but she messed up.
His friend's mother looked at him with sympathy, and that made him uncomfortable.
In truth, Mrs. Williams felt quite sorry for Teddy, sorry for the day when he'd realize his mother had been a lousy wife and parent, leaving her husband and son to seek libidinous adventures on exotic shores.
She watched as Teddy broke off little bits of kale, sprinkling them around his plate.
"You're not eating the sandwich. Don't you like it?" He never ate much at her house, but he must eat plenty at home, because he was strong and tall for his age.
"It's delicious," he said, once again remembering his manners. "But I have to save room for Gram's food. We'll be there for two nights. They added another ER doc, so Dad was able to get some time off."
"So your dad told us. Grace does put out quite the spread. I bet it's especially nice for Christmas Eve." The Greys were the ultimate hosts. They always threw lavish parties for Teddy's birthday, going all out with whatever theme their grandson was into at the time.
"Uh-huh. Real nice," he said. "Do you know what time Dad is coming to get me?"
Cal's baby brother threw cubes of steamed sweet potatoes at his sister, but one hit Teddy. He picked it up and lobbed it back at the baby. If Mrs. Williams saw this, she ignored it.
"Two o'clock. I get to keep you for a couple more hours." She wanted to soothe the boy's concerns over his deceased mother. "Teddy?"
He looked at her expectantly, wondering why she wore a look of concern.
"Your mother was a beautiful woman, very clever and talented. Try to remember her that way."
"I don't remember her. Anyway, I'm getting a new mother." He couldn't hide his pride and excitement.
"Really?" She was shocked and disappointed to find herself out of the loop. "I had no idea Christian was dating someone. Tell me about this new mom of yours."
Mrs. Williams put her elbows on the counter and leaned toward Teddy, ready for the latest gossip.
"She's smart. Pretty. She gets all my jokes and she likes to play video games." He knew exactly what his new mother would be like. He'd been very specific in the description he sent Santa.
"What's her name? Maybe I know her." Unless Christian had used one of those dating apps, the woman was probably part of their social circle.
"I don't know her name, but I'll find out soon. She's a surprise from Santa." Mrs. Williams's eyebrows went up, and he felt the need to explain. "I wrote him a bunch of letters. He knows what to do."
She stood up straight, clearly disappointed that Teddy didn't have the details she craved.
"Santa can't always bring us everything we want, sweetheart." He hated her patronizing tone. He understood what she was trying to tell him, but Santa was real. He had to be real. "I hope you're not expecting a woman all wrapped up in a box and bow. It doesn't work that way."
"Yes, I know that. Santa would never put a human in a box." He rolled his eyes. Did she think he was an idiot? "She'll ring the doorbell. She'll introduce herself, but I'll know who she is as soon as I see her."
He couldn't wait to prove them wrong. Cal and his mother, everyone.
He was getting a new mom and that was the end of it.
XXXXXXX
Gentle Reader:
We want to celebrate the holidays with you, so we decided to publish a Christmas-y introduction to our collaborative project. Thank you for reading about Teddy and his wish to find a mother. We'd love to hear what you think of our story. We will launch "A Simple Wish" on Friday, January 15, with regular updates. Until then, stay safe and stay well.
Happy New Year and Much Love, Carmelita & Paula