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After my shower, I grabbed my phone. I didn’t know the number, but it had a Massachusetts area code. The caller had left me a voicemail.
I hit PLAY on the message. “Hello. My name is Marcy Heart. I’m Richard’s mother. I would very much like it if you could return my call. Thank you.”
My heart felt like it was in my throat. Had something happened to Richard? Was he in the hospital or…God, no!Nothing has happened to him. It wasn’t like I knew, but deep inside, I felt as though he was okay.
Quickly I called back, and she answered on the first ring. “Hello, this is Marcy.”
“Hi. This is Joyelle Jones. You left me a message about…Richard. Is everything…okay?” I knew my voice shook, but at least I wasn’t crying. I hoped it continued to be that way. Please don’t give me news my heart can’t bear.
“Well it was, until two of my sons decided not to show up for Sunday brunch. To my surprise, Clark informed me it has to do with you.”
Sunday brunch?This was all about a missed meal? In a way, I guess it’s a good thing that Richard still eats with his mother, but he’s grown and shouldn’t have to check before going away. Ha. Never saw this coming. If I hadn’t been so damn worried about Richard, I might just find this humorous.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he had a…prior commitment,” I said. He should’ve let her know in advance that he wasn’t going to be there. I could see why Marcy would be upset, but it wasn’t for me to smooth things over with his mother.
“I have all my children and their families over each Sunday. It’s a good way for us to stay in touch. Too many families go their own ways and soon you’re lucky if you get a call from them on your birthday,” Marcy stated.
If she was trying to make me feel guilty, it was working. “I promise I won’t be his excuse if it happens again.”
“Do you know a good way to avoid that?” she asked.
Not seeing your son again?“I can pretty much figure it out.”
“Wonderful. So I’ll expect you Sunday.”
“Excuse me?” I must have missed something vital. “What are you talking about?”
“Sunday brunch. If you accompany my son, I’m sure he will be here,” Marcy said.
“Oh, I can’t…I mean, thank you so much for the invitation, but I can’t intrude.”
“No intrusion at all. In fact, the ladies would love to meet you,” she replied.
“Ladies?”
“Yes. Shanda, Anne, Linda, and Reanna. They are my daughters-in-law, or in some cases, soon to be. They would love to get to know you, just like I would. Unless you’d prefer to meet with me for tea before brunch. Some people don’t do well in crowds. It can be…overwhelming at times.”
Oh, yeah. I’d be a bundle of nerves.No way could I go. Richard wasn’t the one inviting me. Then again, he must know, because how else would Marcy have my number?
“I…guess I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Wonderful. I can’t wait to get to know you. From what I’ve heard, you and Richard are getting along very well. And if you’re important to Richard, then you are to us as well.”
She ended the call and I sat on my bed half in shock, still naked from my shower. All I wanted to do after a long day of work and that strange phone call was relax and sleep. Getting up, I grabbed my bathrobe and a book I’d started months ago. I couldn’t even remember the characters’ names, but hopefully it would be boring enough to help me drift to sleep.
As I settled down on the bed my phone rang again. This time, it was Richard.
“Hello,” I answered.
“I hear my mother called you,” he said.
“Yes. You sound surprised,” I replied.
“Nothing surprises me when it comes to my mother. Would you like me to pick you up or did you want to meet in Boston?” he asked.
“There’s no need for you to come all this way. If you text me the address, I can find my way. By the way, I meant to ask your mother what I can bring. Any suggestions?” I knew better than to show up at a brunch empty-handed.
“There’s always plenty of food.”
“That’s not any help,” I said.
“I’m sure whatever you decide will be fine. I’ve got to go, I have another call. I’ll text you the address. Goodnight, Joyelle.”
I didn’t even get a chance to say goodnight before he ended the call. But he had told me before, work always comes first. That’s what I should be doing right now instead of reading for pleasure.
Tossing the book back on my nightstand where it would probably stay for another month, I grabbed my laptop from the side of my bed. God, I hate doing quarterly taxes.
At least I could put my sleeplessness to good use.
