Love and Sorrow (Small Town Secrets Book 5), стр. 25

“Not that I know of.”  As I took a sip from my mug, I figured out a way to change the subject.  “Where’s dad?”

“He’s playing golf.  You know, he doesn’t do it that often, but he always has so much fun when he does.  He was going to cancel when he found out you were bringing the kids, but I told him to go.  He’ll be home sometime this afternoon.  He said he would play tennis with the kids later, but they might want to go swimming instead.  This is one of the last weeks they’ll be able to before we have to cover the pool.  Don’t you worry.  If anyone can get Sarah out of this funk, it’s your dad.”

If only it were that simple.  Although my dad was a fantastic grandfather, Sarah was beyond needing just a little cheering up—what was going on with her was more than childhood boredom or sadness.  But I didn’t want to debate the issue with my mother, because—if nothing else—her heart was in the right place.

As I took another gulp of my coffee, I looked at the clock.  “I should probably get going.”  Moving to the sink, I poured out what was left and rinsed out the cup.  “Thanks so much, mom.”

She stood.  “So tell me about this date tonight.”

“There’s nothing to tell, really.”

“This friend…you said the two of you met in school.”

“Yeah.”

“What’s he do?”

“He’s a mechanic.”

The disapproval could not be more obvious in her expression.  “What is he going to school for?”

Was she hoping for a different answer?  “To be a certified mechanic.”

“Really?  You go to school for that?”

“Jesus, mom, you have to.  Cars have all that computerized stuff in them nowadays.  You have to go to school for that.”

“Randi, do not take the Lord’s name in vain in my house, please.”

“Sorry, mom.”  I was usually pretty well-behaved with my mouth around my parents, but I slipped on occasion.

“So does he have a job?”

“Well, yeah, it’s like an apprenticeship.  He works for a car repair shop and gets paid for it while practicing.  He’ll be out of school soon, and then he’ll be able to get a job anywhere he wants and get paid pretty good money for it.”  As if to remind my mother I had to go, I picked my purse up off the chair, slinging it over my arm.

“That’s good.”  Fortunately, she took the hint, and we started walking back toward the living room.  “So what are your feelings for him?”

“What do you mean?  We’re friends, mom.”

“Are you so sure about that?  He’s taking you out on a date, Randi.”

Part of me wanted to shock the hell out of my mother, telling her that Justin and I been sleeping together at least once a week over the past year—but I refrained, because I had neither the time nor the patience to also tell my mother some of the lies I’d told myself about my complicated relationship with that man.  “Mom, we’re just friends.  That’s all.  He said he wanted me to have some fun.  Nothing more—so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Randi, I love you and want the best for you.  A good man in your life would do more for you than you know.”

“I disagree, Mom.  That’s why I’m never getting married again.”

“People change their minds, Randi.”

“I won’t.  I am never putting myself in that situation again.”

“Not all men are abusive.”

“It doesn’t matter.  I’m never giving control over my life to a man again.”  I didn’t plan on saying anything else about it.

“Well, have a good time, honey.  Your friend was right about one thing—you do need to have some fun.  Don’t worry about the kids.  We’ll take good care of them.”

“Thank you.”  Then I raised my voice so my children could hear me no matter where they were in that large house.  “Sarah, Devon, I’m leaving.”  In a flash, Devon appeared from the stairs, throwing his arms around me.  “I love you, son.  Be good for grandma, okay?”

“I love you, too, mom.  I promise.”

I patted his head, knowing he’d have no problems behaving.  “Sarah?”

My daughter appeared in the hallway.  Apparently, she’d been in the bedroom since we’d arrived.  “Sweetie, I’m leaving now.  I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon sometime.”

“Okay.”  Although she gave me a hug, her arms were limp.

I held her close, hoping she could feel the depths of my love.  “I love you, Sarah.”

“Love you, too.”  With that, she turned around and shuffled to a recliner, slinking into it.

Stifling a sigh, I turned my attention back to my mother.  “You think around one o’clock?”

“Yes.  We should be back by then.”  From church, she meant.  I allowed my parents to take my kids when they stayed over the weekend, but I was beginning to question my choices.  “We’ll have lunch before you leave.  I’ll make sure the kids are packed before you get here so you won’t have to worry about that.”

“Thanks again, mom.”

My mother hugged me tightly, reminding me that there was nothing like it.  “Anytime.  I love you.”

And, like me with my own daughter, I hoped it was enough.