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She raised an eyebrow. “Just working on it, Malcolm?” she asked. “How close are you to finding a surrogate?”
“Close. Just give me a little more time.”
“We don't have a little more time, Malcolm,” she said.
She got up from the sofa, crossed the room, and stood in front of me. My mom was not a tall woman, but she could make herself seem tall and mighty when she wanted to. Even when I was staring down at her, it felt like she was the one sneering down at me, a mother's stern expression on her face. An expression that rarely failed to make me feel like a child all over again.
“I'm serious, Malcolm,” she said. “If you don't want Adam to take over the company, you need to be on top of this.”
“I am on top of it, mother,” I said, finishing the Scotch.
I considered making myself another one, but she grabbed the glass from my hand before I could pour it.
“Do you think Adam is taking his dear, sweet time,” she asked. “Or do you think he's out there trying to have a baby?”
“I really don't want to think about Adam's sex life, mom,” I said. “And honestly, I'd rather not be talking about my sex life with you either, so if you don't mind, I'd like to go to bed.”
She stood in the way though, hands on her hips with her lips pursed in a thin, solid line.
“Just answer one question for me, Malcolm. Do you have any potential surrogates lined up?”
“I do, actually,” I said. “Now if you'll excuse me.”
“Well, who is she? Where did you meet her?”
“You said one question, mom, and I answered your question,” I said. “Now, I'm tired and I'd like to go to bed.”
I pushed off the bar and walked around her, heading for the door, feeling bad for keeping secrets from my mom, I turned and gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Don't worry, Mom. I'm on top of it,” I said. “Once we have a baby on the way, you'll be the first to know.”
Her eyes softened, and she smiled at me. Her face lit up at the mention of a baby. She'd make an amazing grandmother, and I knew she was as excited about a grandchild as my father was – if not more so. I could see it in her eyes.
“Thank you, son,” she said. “That's all I ask of you. Please, don't let Adam take the company from you.”
“I won't. There's no way in hell I'm going to let that happen, Mom,” I said. “You can trust me on that.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
CASEY
My family – minus my dad – was sitting at the kitchen table when I got home that night. Dad was passed out on the couch, as usual, giving us all a little peace. There was food on the table – Spanish rice, black beans, and some tortillas. Mom had gotten paid, so there was a decent dinner tonight. Which was good, because I was starving.
Mom's eyes were heavy with exhaustion and there were large, dark bags beneath them. She worked two jobs, not getting many hours at either sometimes. But today, she'd worked a double and it showed on her face. Even still, she stood to greet me when I stepped into the kitchen, hugging me tightly.
“Casey, we didn't expect you home so early,” she said.
I hadn't told her about losing my job.
“Yeah, I'm actually off tonight,” I said. “Crazy, huh?”
“Then join us, mija,” mom said, motioning at the table. “There's plenty of food for you too.”
I gripped the paper bag in my hands tightly, the file tucked safely under my arm. I knew there'd be questions about what was in the bag, questions I wasn't ready to answer right now.
“I'm not hungry,” I lied. “But I'll grab a plate later, okay?”
Mom nodded. “Then join us and talk. It's rare we get to talk to one other these days. We always seem to miss each other.”
