Page 60 of Embracing Darkness
“Sorry, I’ll catch up with you guys later. I met an old friend on the way. Can we meet at the café later? Around 4?”
“Sure, no problem.”
I send her the name of the café and put my phone away. I normally resent being left hanging like this, but I make an exception in Max’s case because she’s going through a rough time.
“And? What did she say?” Alex asks.
I explain the reason Max is late.
“Hey, then let’s go to my favorite store next,” Alex says with a mischievous wink.
Her favorite store turns out to be a secondhand clothing store with loads of quirky garments. Chrissy tries on a petticoat, and Kate drapes a black stole around her shoulders. This stuff is definitely good for a few laughs.
Later in the afternoon we make our way to the café. I suggested this one because they have the best pie in town.
“I still don’t know what you guys have against my skirt,” says Alex, holding up the bag containing the dark gray cotton skirt she bought at the secondhand store. “I’ll just make some adjustments, and it’ll look the bomb.”
“Oh yeah, you’ll turn heads in any club wearing that,” Chrissy teases.
“At least it’s eye-catching. The guys will look,” says Alex with a mischievous wink. Then she scrutinizes me. “Speaking of guys, Kate said you found someone.”
Kate throws up her hands defensively. “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t tell her anything. She just asked if we...”
I put my arm around Kate’s shoulders. “It’s all good. It’s no state secret.” I turn to Alex and say, “Me and Ayden are together.”
She and Chrissy both raise their eyebrows.
“Wow, that’s a surprise,” says Alex.
“I thought you couldn’t stand each other,” says Chrissy.
Alex flaps her hand dismissively. “Well obviously that changed. And I have to say, I totally get it. I wouldn’t push him out of my bed either.”
I roll my eyes, and I’m glad when we finally reach the café. But that doesn’t stop Alex from asking more questions.
“How long have you been together? How did it happen? And what’s he like, uh... you know?”
I stop in my tracks and stare across the room.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out,” says Alex, holding up her hands apologetically.
But that’s not what shocked me. We’re standing in the entrance to the café with a view of all the tables. And a couple is walking toward us. The woman is holding the man’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder. He smiles fondly at her and bends down to kiss her.
“Mom?” I say in amazement as the couple starts moving again.
My mother stands rooted to the spot and looks at me in surprise. Embarrassment is written all over her face. But there’s no need. I look at Charles, who’s also eyeing me awkwardly.
I quickly give them a reassuring smile. “Hey, it’s okay,” I say, looking back and forth between them. “I was just surprised. But I’m happy for you. Honestly!”
“It’s only been a week,” my mother explains, smiling up at Charles. “I was going to tell you as soon as I got the chance. But now that we’ve run into each other...” She shrugs sheepishly.
I quickly go and hug her, saying, “You have my blessing. I’m really happy for you guys.”
I know it won’t always be easy with Charles, because there are things he can’t tell Mom. But I hope that in the end it won’t be a major problem and that they can be happy together.
“Wow, what a coincidence. It’s great that you both have someone now,” Alex says without thinking. She instantly realizesher mistake and looks at me apologetically.
“Really?” Mom asks. “You met someone too?”