“I know you do, honey. Life is strange for you right now. Have you talked to your parents at all?” I know she hasn’t when I’ve been around, but she goes for a walk every night. I figure she might do it then.
“No.” Stepping out of my embrace, she tells me, “I know where they stand. Plus, the ball is in their court. Theyarethe parents, after all.”
I wish there were something I could do to help Margie mend her relationship with her mom and dad. But she’s right, future contact is really up to them. “Do you want to go back into the gym and ask Leah and Decan about tonight?”
She shakes her head. “I’ll text them. I don’t want to run into Jordan again. I’m afraid I might beat him up.”
Once we’re in the car, Margie texts her siblings. They’re both going to postpone previous plans to come over, but they’re not going to tell their parents. I cannot imagine the amount of tension in their house right now.
Once we get into the car, I put on my autumn playlist for background noise, so Allie doesn’t feel like she has to say anything. As I turn onto Main Street, I look for my usual parking space. I nearly run off the road as I pass Happy Snaps.What is wrong with myparents?I can’t believe they’ve given Finley permission to use another picture of them. And this time it’s even racier than the last.
I hurry to park, before telling Margie, “Go on up. I have a quick stop to make.”
As soon as she enters the building, I run back to Happy Snaps. Chimes ring as I walk through the door, and a disembodied voice calls, “I’m sorry, I thought I locked up. We’re closed.”
“Finley, it’s me, Allie!” I call back.
When she comes out of the backroom, she’s not alone. My parents are with her. My mouth hangs wide open when I see what they’re wearing. My dad is shirtless with what appears to be a thick layer of baby oil spread across his bare skin. Meanwhile, my mom is in a dress that looks like she’s some kind of bar wench from a past era.
Finley greets, “Allie, hey! How are you? I’ve been meaning to call and set up another coffee, but it’s been acrazyweek.”
“I can see that.” Gesturing between my mom and dad, I demand, “What’s going on here?”
“Allie,” my mom says while my dad tries to hide behind her like he’s been caught doing something untoward. Which—if you ask me—he has.
“Mom.”
“Dad and I are starting a new project,” she explains.
“Porn for senior citizens?” I want to know.
“We’re not naked!” my dad shouts, still hiding behind my mother.
“What’s your new project called?”
Finley fields that question. “I’ve started offering simulated romance novel covers. Isn’t that cool?”
I look at her like she’s lost her mind. “No.” Gesticulating wildly between my parents, I declare, “These are upstanding members of the community! My mother is in charge of the Christmas Bazaar at the church, for Pete’s sake.”
“What does one thing have to do with the other?” my mom wants to know.
“That new picture of you two out front sends a completely different message of what you two are about,” I tell her. “You look like a couple of swingers or something.”
“Now listen here, Allie.” My dad finally gathers the courage to step out from behind my mom. “Your mother and I have been happily married for thirty-five years. We are not swingers!”
“Although,” my mom feels the need to add, “we have discussed …”
“Stop right there!” I shout. Nothing good can come from hearing whatever she’s about to share. Worst case scenario, I spontaneously combust. Best case? I drop dead from the shock.
Just when I think this situation couldn’t possibly get any more awkward, the bell over the door rings again and Margie walks in. “Margie, what are you doing here?”
She looks from me toward the scantily clad fifty-somethings who call themselves my parents before answering, “I wanted to tell you that you had a delivery.”Why is that something she needed to follow me down the street to share? I would have seen whatever it was when I got home.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “I’ll be home soon.”
“Who is this?” my mom wants to know.
Crap. I knew I’d eventually have to tell my parents about Margie. I just didn’t see it happening like this.
