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upton
“Someone has eyes for my little lovebird.”
I’m being a coward.
The second I was given contact with Nora, I should have told my mother. Instead, I avoided it until she found out on her own. I’m dreading this lunch together.
As much as I’d rather eat some fried clams at The Budgie Café, that wasn’t going to happen with Mom. She chose one of the restaurants in The Tailstream River Landing District—the property I own—for our showdown.
Because this is exactly what it’ll be.
I’m a little relieved it’s happening in the Azure Current seafood restaurant that overlooks the bay rather than the hub where everyone in town eats and gossips.
When I arrive, the hostess recognizes me immediately and turns on the charm.
“Mr. Asbury, how lovely to see you. Your mother is waiting for you at your usual table.”
She guides me over to the table that’s permanently reserved for our family so we can get in even on the most packed dinner times. Mom doesn’t look up at me as I approach, her gaze firmly set on the window as the snow peacefully falls.
If only this conversation would be peaceful…
“Mom,” I say as I pull off my coat to drape it over the chair across the table from her and then drop into it. “How are you?”
She doesn’t flinch at my voice or show anything other than cold disdain. Welcome to the Asbury family. In a way, I’m glad Nora didn’t have this growing up. It might’ve tainted her sweet disposition.
“Son,” she says coolly in return before slowly turning her head to me. “Oh, for heaven’s sakes, there’s a dress code here.”
I awkwardly smooth out the wrinkles on my dress shirt. Since I met with Sandy, I wanted to look nice, but not as if I were about to lead a board meeting.
“There’s not a dress code here,” I grumble. “How are Lowan and Sylvan?”
The mention of my younger siblings has her nostrils flaring. “Nice change of subject. We’ll get to them. Right now, we’re here to talk about you. Your disappointing actions as of late.”
I grit my teeth and level her with a barely contained glare. “As of late? By not telling you yet? Sorry, Mom, but it’s been a little hectic lately.”
I’m not normally one to snap at Mom. Typically, that’s Sylvan’s style, but I’m annoyed with her. She demands absolute perfection and nothing less. It’s tough living up to her impossible standards.
“I learned my eldest son has an illegitimate child floating around out there by the cashier at the post office. The post office, Upton. Do you know how embarrassing that was for me?”
“She’s not illegitimate. I don’t even know what that means. Nora is my daughter. I’ve known her whole life, but now I’m able to be a part of it.”
Mom sneers at the mention of Nora’s name. “Of all the women in Budgie Bay, you had to choose Sandra. The wild child who couldn’t even be bothered to stay. The one who abandoned her pitiful mother. I’m sorry, but I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around this.”
I sit up straight and let some of my anger bleed into my words. “Get to wrapping it like a Christmas present with a big, beautiful bow. Nora is my daughter. Family. I won’t have you treating her like she doesn’t belong. Same goes with Sandy.”
Mom flinches at my tone and her lips thin out, showcasing all the wrinkles. “I beg your pardon. Retract your words and try again.”
I feel like a teenage rebellious Sylvan bucking against every word that comes out of Mom’s mouth. But I’m a grown adult man in his forties. There’s no reason I need to sit here and take her disrespectful tone.
“You’re invited to Nora and Elias’s wedding reception. I’ll text you the information. Please show up and be good to my daughter. Your granddaughter.”
She bristles as if the words physically pain her. “You know she’s not very nice to me at the tourism meetings.”
“Maybe you should ask yourself why, Mom.”
The server comes by and is too chipper for the temperature of our discussion. By the time she’s brought water for me and a glass of chardonnay for my mother, we’ve relaxed a bit.
“How did this even happen?” she asks finally, resignation in her voice. “I need to know everything.”
