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The uncomfortable silence is soon broken by Mary Jean’s flirtatious flick of the hair. “Who’s this fine young gentleman?”
There’s no better time than now to reveal the truth. “Uh, this is Julian, my um… boyfriend.”
Mary Jean is crestfallen. Her cloudy eyes stare back at me in disbelief. “Excuse me, your what?”
“Julian, this is Mary Jean. Elijah’s mother.”
Julian greets her politely only to be ignored. He isn’t fazed. Moving toward me, he rubs the small of my back to ease my worry.
“Andy, go upstairs to your room, and I’ll be there in a minute to give you a present, okay?” she tells him.
“Kay kay, Grandmama.” Andy doesn’t leave immediately, hopping from foot to foot, then bolts out of the room announcing he is Superman, prompting Mary Jean to focus her attention back to us.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit too soon to be moving on? Did Elijah mean that little to you that you can move on so quickly?”
“Elijah meant everything to me. But it’s been almost three years,” I stutter.
Julian reaches for my hand, placing it in his. “I had the pleasure of meeting your son a long time ago. He was a great man. Adriana and Andy were blessed to have him in their lives.”
Mary Jean’s face softens. “He was a great son, too. I don’t know why they had to take…” She breaks out into sobs. I grab a tissue from the counter and hand it to her. With a gentle smile, she settles down.
“You know what else, Mary Jean? Julian is Charlotte’s ex-fiancée,” Lex tells her.
Mary Jean stops mid-sob, the thirst for gossip an obvious distraction.
“Nice introduction, Lex. It’s always fun to reminisce,” Julian bites back.
Mary Jean starts asking questions. I’m annoyed at Lex for bringing it up and extra annoyed with Julian for his insensitive comment.
Does no one at all care about me? It’s always about fucking Charl
ie!
I let go of Julian’s hand and move toward the cupboard, grabbing myself a much-needed drink. With my back facing them, I close my eyes to calm myself down.
Lex announces he is leaving and reminds me about Rocky’s birthday tomorrow night. I don’t respond, nor do I turn around, wishing they would all disappear and leave me the fuck alone.
Mary Jean grabs her bag, complaining about her sore back. Julian, being polite, offers to take it upstairs. They disappear for a while, presenting a perfect opportunity to raid my cupboard and take a Valium.
“What’s tomorrow night?” Julian creeps up behind me.
He doesn’t touch me like before, leaning against the opposite counter.
“Remember I told you about Rocky’s birthday party? It’s being held at one of Nikki’s client’s homes in the Hills.”
“Oh, right, the costume party? I don’t feel like going,” he responds flatly.
“But it’s the first time we’re going somewhere as a couple, and I thought you already had your costume which Andy helped pick out?”
“Yeah, of course, he had to pick Batman. It’s a given, isn’t it?” The bitterness to his tone catches me off-guard as does the sudden change of heart.
He doesn’t say anything, and I continue on, “Is it because Lex and Charlie will be there?”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, but I’m not riding in the car with them.”
“But a car’s coming to pick all of us up, so we can drink.”
“You’re coming with me, or I don’t go.” He walks over, and just when I think he’ll change his mind and apologize for his odd behavior, he kisses my cheek and tells me he’s leaving.
