“Mom.” I let out a breath and stuck the key in the ignition. “I’m not engaged.”
“Well, what was that little moment you two just had? You accepted his ring, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t really. If youdoremember,heput it onmewithout an answer.” Why was I still wearing it? Oh, right. Because I’d cursed him.
“She’s right, Ophelia.” Annie popped in between our shoulders.
“Well, who asked you?”
“Mom, knock it off.” I started the car. “You wouldn’t be this excited if it was Graham I was kissing in the driveway, would you?”
Annie leaned back and crossed her arms. “She’s right again.”
“I most certainly would not. That officer is nothing but trouble.”
“Then why are you coming to the parade?Hisparade.”
“I’m trying to be supportive of you, honey.” Mom put her hand on her chest like she was hurt.
Annie scoffed. “Mmm-hmm,please, ya just tryin to keep an eye on Miss Gemma.”
“I most certainly amnot!”
“Oh, youisto. You went so far as to drink that champagne even though it’s the devil’s juice to you.”
“That was nothing more than a moment of weakness… it hurts, seeing him go through all these women when none of them love him as much as he should be loved.” Mom stared out the window as we passed the colonial buildings and businesses. Like the view would end the conversation.
What was I supposed to say to that? Mom had never opened up to me before—not like this. All she ever talked about was how he betrayed her and he only thought with what was in his pants—not that she still cared about him.
“Ophelia, don’t worry yourself about your ex, cause that’s all he is, right? An ex?” Annie put a hand on Mom’s shoulder.
“Well, heisthe father of my children. But yes. I guess he is.”
“Then don’t ya think it’s time to move on? Git yerself another man.”
“Well—” Mom pulled down the visor and looked in the mirror, fixing her hair. “I guess I could try to loosen up a little when it comes to the advances of the single men at the church.”
“What?” I said, nearly veering into a group of children dressed like elves. “You’ve hadadvances?”
“Oh, don’t be so shocked—of course I have.”
“Okay, so yeah… maybe you try that… go on a date.” I grimaced.
“Adate?”Mom recoiled. “We didn’t say anything abouta date. I was thinking more like ‘Hi.’”
“Hi, will do, won’t it, Maggie? She’s gonna need a big ‘ol stick to beat offallthem men with ‘Hi’.”Annie cackled.
“Well, what do you suggest, little miss ‘single by choice’?”
“Let’s not worry about church today,” Annie said. “How ‘bout you relax. Try being… nice.”
“Iamnice.”
I gave Mom a side-eye.
“Okay, okay. I’ll be nice.”
The crowd became impassable the closer we got to the intersection. We had to backtrack until we found a spot on Segman’s Street—five blocks away.
