“So you met a younger lover at the hospital, and he took you for a ride.”
“Unfortunately, yes,” my mom confirms. “Jared’s probably in Vegas now with his boyfriend, laughing his ass off while using my money to pay for hotels and drugs. I even contacted the FBI when I realized he’d made off with my money, but they said there was nothing they could do. I gave him the funds of my own free will and there’s no way to get it back.”
“But how did he convince you to give him cash to begin with?” I gasp, eyes wide. “Oh my god!”
Brenda grimaces.
“At first it was just little things,” she explains. “Jared was leasing a car, and the lease expired, so I bought him a vehicle. Of course, I was paying for insurance and gas too, and then I paid for his share of the rent at a place he split with his friend. Then, he said he needed some help with his student loans, so I gave him money for that as well. Then, he said he was going back to school for an advanced degree, and needed to pay the tuition upfront. That’s what got me,” she says ruefully. “I gave him hundreds of thousands of dollars to pursue an alleged degree in kinesiology, and he left the next day. Last I heard, he and his boyfriend are living like high rollers at the Bellagio. That is, until the money runs out.”
My eyes fill with tears as I take my mom’s hand.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Brenda,” I choke out. “I had no idea.”
“No, it’s okay, my sweet girl,” my mom replies in return. “I’m so sorry that any of this happened, and especially because I had a role too. I know that you went out there and hustled because we had no money, and I was scared, baby girl. I was afraid thatyou were going to sell your body to make money, and I was even more scared of who you might meet and what might happen to you.”
I take a deep breath and decide to fess up.
“I did sell my curves, Mom, and Chase is the one who bought them. I?—”
But my mom holds up a hand.
“I don’t need to know the details, hon. I’m just happy that your stepfather has actually done the right thing in all of this. He knew he was attracted to you, so he vacated. He was generous with spousal support. He bought you, and has taken care of you, judging from your healthy glow. I’m happy for you, sweetheart, and if being with Chase is what you want, then I’m all for it.”
I get up and throw my arms around my mother because it’s always been me and Brenda against the world, with her as a single mom fighting the good fight on my behalf. But now, things have changed and we’re going to start a courageous new future.
“I love you, Mom,” I say while holding her tight.
Brenda strokes my hair with one hand.
“I love you too, baby,” she says in a quiet voice. “You’ve always been my number one.”
With that, our relationship is renewed as the new love below my heart grows because I’m going to be a mother, and Brenda a grandmother. Plus, now that we’ve patched up our differences, I can move on with the man that I adore, even though Chase happens to be my mother’s ex-husband. Who knew things could be this complicated? And yet they’re not because with a little bit of kindness and understanding … anything is possible.
EPILOGUE
Haley
“Girl, you look beautiful,” my old friend Emma coos while we stare in the mirror together. I’m in a gorgeous gown of white lace which gently swaths my belly while also highlighting my big bust.
“You think?” I ask in a wry tone. “I’m still postpartum, so tell me if I start getting wet spots where my boobs are because it means I’m leaking milk.”
“You won’t,” Emma smiles sassily. “But yes, little Freddy issooocute and I love being a big sister finally. You know I’ve always wanted a sibling, and thanks to you and my dad, I finally have one!”
I smile because my son was born right on December 25 as the best Christmas gift of all. Freddy’s now a few months old and the light of our lives despite only just being able to sleep through the night. But he’s the spitting image of his father, with the sameblack hair and blue eyes, and Chase dotes on his son. We even found Freddy a little tux to wear to our small ceremony, and he’s outside right now in the arms of his nanny.
My mom has settled into a better place too. After confessing her financial woes to me, I told Chase about her situation, and the alpha male took control. He hired a private detective who tracked down Brenda’s good-for-nothing ex, and now the young man is being sued for the return of the funds. We have no idea if we’ll ever see a cent because God knows, that boy was spending money like water, but we’re in a better place because at least something’s being done. Plus, I explained to my fiancé that my mom holds no grudges against us. Brenda’s happy for me and Chase, and over the moon about her first grandchild.
So in a way, our marriage is reuniting our family. My mom and I are on good terms, and Chase’s daughter is back in town for our wedding. I smile at my high school buddy.
“So what’s going on LA?” I ask with a tilt of my head. “I haven’t seen you in ages, girlfriend, and it must have been a shock when your dad told you that we’d started dating.”
My pretty blonde friend shoots me a wry look.
“It’s always a shock when your dad calls and says that not only has he been dating your high school pal, but that she’s knocked up and soon to be your stepmother! But it’s all good,” Emma laughs, pretty in a pink satin gown. “I’m happy for you, and life in LA is amazing! You and my dad will have to bring the baby and come visit me.”
“But are you getting jobs as an aspiring actress?” I ask curiously. “I mean, I hear auditions are likeShark Tankepisodes.”
Emma colors a bit, her cheeks going pink.
