A Stubborn Mary and A Beautiful Lilly

As the oldest brother, Mike knew he had to right the wrong done to their mother. He took a deep breath as he rolled up the cord to the vacuum, an activity which had become a frequent necessity over the past few days. Did he want this? No. Mike understood that he was doing this for the family. Sometimes, you gotta take one for the team. He has a lot of experience cleaning up the messes of his younger brothers, but this time he wasn’t sure he would be able to help. Did Cole not understand the tragedy he was bringing the family? The brothers had always stuck together. As children, if a lamp was broken in the house, all three understood it was their responsibility to take the blame and punishment together...or at least to blame their sister Heather. She wouldn’t be punished anyway. As the youngest child, and the cherished only daughter, she could do no wrong. Even she, however, knew to respect the family heritage.    

How could Cole, the self proclaimed favorite son, the least balding of all the brothers, and now, the only one to produce a granddaughter, how could he name his unborn child Lilly? Their mother’s only chance to have her legacy carried on, stolen. Mike’s sons proudly wore their grandfather’s names, Heather’s son was honored with Mike’s namesake, and Luke, the youngest brother, also carried on the tradition of strong family names. Mary could hardly contain her excitement when she learned her newest grandchild would be a girl. Finally, someone to carry on her legacy, someone to share in her name, a grandchild through whom she could live forever. How could Cole not name his only daughter Mary? How could Cole do something like this to her. Cole’s rational? “I like the name Lilly.” Insane! No one in the family had ever been named Lilly!

Surely he did not think through the consequences of his decision. Did he not anticipate that at some point, his precious daughter Lilly would learn of his betrayal of the family? That maybe, sometime in the distant future, at a family thanksgiving, everyone would spend the holiday poking fun at her by calling her Mary. Did he not realize that Mike would have to make a major life change in order to rectify the situation? Mike placed the vacuum in the cabinet and took a deep breath. The smell of the house would never be the same. No candle could mask the new musk of his home. 

He heard the first knock. Before he was able to make it to his door. Heather’s son, Mike jr, let himself in. He threw off his shoes, scattering dirt throughout the foyer, briefly greeted his Uncle Mike, and immediately ran to the television. He knew he had very limited time to enjoy a show before the grown ups turned it to the news and began yelling at each other about politics. Next through the door was Heather and, shortly after, Cole and Luke also arrived. Hugs and kisses were quickly exchanged. A few snide comments about Mike’s dirty foyer were also exchanged, a sentiment Mike did not appreciate, especially since he vacuums so frequently now due to his new investment. An investment, which by the way, he only made in hopes it would decrease family tensions over family names. 

“So you decided to throw away the family heritage and rock the mother boat, huh Cole?” Heather playfully jabbed at Cole.

“Hey Heather, when was the last time you went to church? I think the family should talk about that.” Cole responded with a smirk.

“What's that smell?” Mike jr. inquired.

Before anyone could address Mike jrs question, his grandmother Mary arrived. She walked into the house with an air of authority. Mike jr ran to greet his beloved Mimi, inwardly hoping she brought him some candy, as all good grandmothers do. She sneaked him a lollipop and he ran off to enjoy it in peace. All her children greeted her lovingly. 

“So, Cole, have you come to your senses and decided to give your daughter a proper name, or are you still set on breaking your mothers heart?” 

“Mom...you need to not take this so personally, I..”

Mary interjected, “personally? How can I not take this personally?”

“I would like to point out that if I had a daughter, I would have done the right thing”

“Oh save it Luke, I’ll always be the favorite son.” Cole said, mostly joking.

“I’m just saying, it's not hard to follow the tradition.”

“Exactly, what is hard is breaking the tradition, and sometimes, that's what needs to be done.”

“So are you saying that the rest of us are lazy and simply following what we are told like sheep cause we aren’t as good as you?” Luke responded, in a less joking manner. Tensions began rising.

“Take a family name, don’t take a family name, it's fine either way!” Cole began getting defensive.

“It might be fine if I had another granddaughter to take my name.” Mary said under her breath.

“You’re the only one with a daughter, Cole, it's literally the least you could do for your mother!” Luke’s voice began to get louder. 

Tensions were rising. A creeping fear gave Mike goose bumps and, in an attempt to prevent further argument, Mike announced, “I have a daughter named Mary!” Everyone fell silent, processing what Mike had said, unsure how to react. 

Mike produced, from behind the counter, a new baby kitten. All eyes gradually began to turn towards their mother Mary. After an indescribable amount of time had passed, Mary began to smile. Relief almost instantly fell over everyone. Heather was the first to laugh, followed quickly by Cole and the rest. Mike handed the kitten, Mary, over to his mother to hold. She accepted and kissed Mike on the cheek. “Thank you, I love my grandchild namesake…” turning to the rest of the family, she added, “and I can’t wait to meet my new grand baby, with the beautiful name Lilly, as well.”