Page 117 of Turning Back

“So he knows something you haven’t told anyone else?”

“Yes,” I say. “What he said was true, but he doesn’t know the whole story. He should not have said that. Especially in front of all those people.”

“I believe you,” she says. “I think he probably knows that as well. You handled that altercation with grace and dignity.”

“Thanks,” I say. “I really wanted to tell him to fuck off.”

We laugh.

“But not in a room filled with people.”

“I totally understand. But the reason I came in the car with you was to make sure you understand why my son does this.”

“This?” I ask.

“Sharing business,” Kitty says, waving her hand in the air. “I know about it. I have seen him change over the years. Especially since his father died. You see, this is probably all my fault.”

“What?”

Kitty laughs again. “Hahahaha. I can’t say for certain how I know. Quin and I don’t talk about our sex lives. But it goes back to my relationship with his father.”

“You shared men?”

“I wish. Hahaha.”

“I’m sorry, what are you saying then?” I’m so confused.

“I’m going to let him tell you. I think he’s figured it out. He’s been struggling lately. And I know most of that goes back to his relationship with you.”

Well, that’s just great.

The car pulls up to the loft and stops in front of the lobby doors. The driver gets out. “But don’t walk away before he tells you, Rochelle. Even if it takes him a little while to work through it. This is my granddaughter,” she says, patting Adley’s arm. “I can tell. Grandmothers know these things. But even if she isn’t through blood, she is through love. Remember that.”

My door opens. I unbuckle Adley’s seat and the driver lifts it out for me.

“I’ll see you soon, Adley,” Kitty calls.

I walk into the building and get into the elevator. When I get upstairs I take Adley out of her seat and just sit in front of the window, wondering how the hell this day went so wrong.

And how am I going to explain myself to Quin?

The elevator dings and opens. Bric walks out. “Hey, Quin’s not here yet?”

“Is he coming?” I ask, looking back at the window.

“Of course he’s coming,” Bric says. “Why wouldn’t he come? I told him to meet me here so we can discuss what the hell just happened. Are you still wearing that dress?” he asks, walking over to me. “Go change, Rochelle. Everything is going to be fine.”

I don’t think anything is going to be fine. But I get up anyway. I have to get Adley out of her clothes too.

“Here,” Bric says. “I’ll take care of Adley. You take care of yourself.”

I don’t fight him. I can’t. The mistakes are all I can think about. I just hand Adley over and go in to the bedroom. I pull on a pair of jeans and one of my well-worn Pagosa Springs t-shirts.

Bric brings a refreshed Adley into the bedroom, just as I’m finishing up.

“You’re quiet,” Bric says.

“I just keep hearing Smith’s accusation over and over again.”