Not how it turned out at all. I did as he requested and put the rings in my pocket. I gave myself a moment, staring into the mirror. Overall, my life was coming along just the way I’d always hoped it would.
12: The Climb
Beau/Dash
Beau
My palms itched with anticipation of getting my ass back into the volleyball game. Unfortunately, none of Dash’s friends possessed a single athletic bone in their bodies. What a seriously dumb choice to leave the game in order to let another player take my spot on the team, considering Iwasthe team.
When I left the court, we were up by ten, and my side hadn’t scored another point since then. With me out, Dash, who played on the opposing side, had taken control of the game. His relentless competitive spirit never allowed him to back down. He and I faced off one-on-one several times, and despite his earlier instructions about only playing for fun, each time I bested him, I playfully mouthedI win. He reciprocated the sentiment the few times he managed to score against me.
“Beau.” My mom’s soft voice was the only interruption to penetrate the humming of my unyielding competitive nature. I missed playing sports. I had no desire to return to a university team, but I needed a better outlet to channel the drive inside me. Law students on a beach volleyball afternoon didn’t cut it. Neither did my work at FedEx. Regardless of how quickly I completed my tasks, and generally outperformed everyone else, no other driver cared, making the win not nearly as fun.
I cut a glance back over my shoulder, first at my mom, then beyond. The outdoor, city owned, recreational sports park hadseveral choices to play other than beach volleyball, positioned right off the lake. There was a basketball court, a tennis court, and a jogging trail. Times were reserved online. We still had at least an hour blocked to play volleyball. Weaved throughout the entire park were places to throw out a blanket or chair, and enjoy the sun, or a game, but the rock climbing walls pulled my attention there. Although I’d never officially climbed a rock, I felt I could easily conquer those walls. The highest point couldn’t be more than four stories. With no fear of heights, my challenge would be against myself as I aimed to scale the wall faster and faster.
“You’re not paying attention to me,” she said, resting a hand on my forearm. My thoughts shifted to the unconditional bond we shared. We were also evolving into friendship, causing the lines between parent and child to blur. Since I’d commandeered a decent-size section of the blanket she’d brought to sit on to watch us play, I made a deliberate effort to listen this time—at least after I voiced what I wanted to say.
“You’re pretty, Mom. I like that you’re able to take better care of yourself.”
She squeezed my forearm where her hand still rested, beaming under my praise.
“It’s been easier to take care of myself since we’re no longer living under such an oppressive life.” Over the last six months, she had immersed herself in a bohemian style of life. It fit her new personality like a glove. My mom was tallish,sort of, and wore flowing, loose clothes that somehow still fit her frame while giving off a breezy, delicate vibe.
“You’re still young,” I murmured, not even understanding why I said it.
“Every year you get older, I get older.” Her laughter drew a smile from me. She lifted a finger, pointing toward a man on the other side of the volleyball court. He had arrived several minutesago. He was older, but not that old, fit, and appeared to come from money based on how he wore his clothes. “Who’s that, son?”
“Dash mentioned Carter was stopping by today to meet everyone. It might be him,” I said, unsure. Just then, this game concluded, my team was defeated, and a sweaty, disheveled Dash hurried toward the man my mom had noticed. She and I watched their interaction as my guy turned and pointed toward us. I raised my hand, feeling uncertain what to do.
“You don’t see someone like him in Southern Alabama.” I agreed with that. His walking shorts were perfectly tailored to his body. The tasteful Hawaiian style shirt hung from his shoulders in a way that accentuated a broad chest. His sun-kissed tan and blond highlights in his chestnut hair appeared naturally acquired. I had discovered my new fashion mentor. I suddenly aspired to exude the same polished yet relaxed style.
“Everyone around here is a different breed than me. Their priorities are different,” I finally blurted out my biggest concerns about living here. “The way they see life is different. The food they eat, the beer they drink, the conversations at dinner are all different. Dash’s different, too, when he’s around them.”
“I wondered if you noticed that,” my mom said. The hand on my forearm swiped downward in a caress. “But he only has eyes for you. I worried that he was too controlling but seeing you two together has ended that concern. He really tries to care for you. You don’t make it easy on him.”
I laughed and tilted my chin to glance at her. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I want him to be my partner.” The wedding ring on my finger seemed to have a direct line to my emotional well-being. My belly did a little flip-flop as the tip of my finger skimmed the band. Maybe I rushed us into wearing these rings too soon. I just liked it, and what it stood for. “Sincewe moved here, he’s been a better equal to me. He doesn’t try to take care of all our expenses alone. We do it together now.”
“You know, he still hasn’t cashed the check for the truck,” my mom said.
“I know, but keep the money ready. I think we’re headed into some hard times,” I said, but that was only a fifty/fifty bet. Dash had somehow orchestrated life in a way that he wasn’t doing without. I was concerned about his strong ties to his family, and what it might mean losing his foundation so dramatically, but he hadn’t had a landslide yet.
“I appreciate the way you’ve started adding the g’s to the ends of your words.”
“It wasn’t intentional,” I said, dryly. For the entirety of my life, she’d been on me about the way I spoke. I’d never give in. Probably even dug my resistant heels in harder. Now, I had another thing to add to the list of cons about Chicago: involuntary accent change.
“He’s headed this way,” she said.
“Invite him to sit with us,” I suggested. “If it’s Carter, he’s been really good to us.”
“Of course I will, I’m a southern woman. Manners before God, country, and family.” She grinned at me, but she wasn’t wrong. I laughed, if only on the inside, staring into her round sunglasses. Her cheek leaned against my bicep as we watched Carter’s approach. He grinned broadly when my mom loved on me.
“I’m Wesley Carter,” he said, still a few feet away. I made myself rise, stretching out a hand, instantly intimidated by the man. Carter was lean and fit. As he came to me, he removed his sunglasses. I did too, only because he did.
“I’m Beau. This is my mom,” I said, hooking a casual thumb to the side. “Linda.”
All his attention landed on my mom.
“Dash told me this was your mother, but I doubted him. You must have been very young when you had him,” he said, causing my mom to beam under the compliment. On the other hand, I furrowed my brows. Since Carter didn’t linger, I let it go. “I understand congratulations are in order. You three had a big morning.”
