Page 29 of Memories of You

Then he cringed, realizing he’d completely missed one fromhis mother almost three days ago.

He pulled up text messaging and shot her a note.

You there?

Renly! Where have you been hiding?

Sorry I missed your email. Crazy week.

I figured you would have tried again if it was important?

What’s up?

Can’t a mom just email her son?

Some moms can. You always have an agenda.

Ha ha.

He grinned. His mom wasn’t one for over-communication. Shetended to write when she had something to say, and that was pretty much it.

Come on, what’s going on?

Well, to be honest, I’m getting married again.

He hesitated as he stared at the words, not sure what tosay.

Oh.

Tell me how you really feel...

He shook his head, then stood and left the conference roombecause he just needed to move around.

He paced inside the lobby, Abby’s worried frown as he’dstepped out of the room burnt into his mind. Hopefully in a few minutes hecould tell her everything was okay.

Listen, mom, I’m excited for you.

But unless you’ve been keeping the biggest secret in theworld,

you haven’t been dating anybody.

Who the hell are you marrying?

Well, to be honest, we’ve been dating for years.

It’s time to make it official

Who? Do I know him?

Sweetie, it’s Elise.

He stared at his phone.

Elise—or Aunt Elise—was his mother’s best friend and hadbeen since they’d moved to Houston. All through his high school years they’dbeen inseparable, and after Renly and Red had moved away, Elise had actuallymoved in. They got along so well, and although Renly couldn’t imagine livingwith a roommate at his mother’s age, he understood that his mom had gottenlonely.

At least, that was what he’d always believed. Now, with thenews of his mom’s engagement, he saw everything in a fresh light.

Mom? Why didn’t you ever tell us?