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“We were talking about making a trip there for the Fourth of July. I know we should be open in a few weeks, but maybe we can hire a few helpers to oversee this place for a few days.”
We’ve done that before, the weekend Jensen got married about six years ago. Even though both of the ladies had worked in a bed and breakfast in town in the past, they sure did make a mess of things in a short amount of time. They managed to ruin my oven and overflow the washing machine. Even at the ripe ol’ age of twenty-two, I had learned a valuable lesson about hard work and respect.
“I can see your wheels turning. It won’t be like the last time. Free said she’d be happy to help,” Mom chimes in. “Mrs. Gillenwater said she was always available to assist too.” Mrs. Gillenwater owned a B&B in town for more years than I’ve been on this earth, retiring and selling her place a few years back. Mrs. G was the woman who helped Mom turn this house into what it is today, providing countless hours of support and advice to a young mother of four with a dream to own a bed and breakfast.
“I’m not sure taking time away so close to reopening is smart, Mom,” I answer honestly. Not to mention that if I went back to Jupiter Bay to meet the family, I’d probably run into Rhenn. How is that going to work after our fling expires? Will he have someone else there with him? Or worse, what if he acts indifferent, as if I was just someone to help pass a little bit of free time?
Sadly, I know that’s exactly what I am.
What I offered to be.
Because nothing more can become of us.
There is no us.
“Just promise me you’ll think about it, okay? I’d love to have my entire family there to meet everyone, but I don’t want to create more stress for you after we reopen.”
I nod without verbalizing an answer. My heart starts to pound in my chest, a loud rhythm I’m certain Mom can hear across the table. The thought of going and meeting the rest of my cousins is an attractive offer, but I’m just not sure I’ll be ready to run into the friend that’s likely to be invited and show up.
We sit in silence for a few minutes before I get up to clean the coffee cups. I’m rinsing the mugs and placing them in the drainer when she speaks again. “I ran into your father last night.”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that.
Grabbing a fresh cup from the cabinet, I set it in front of the pot and turn to give her my full attention. “Where?”
“The grocery store.”
“Was he alone?” I hate to ask, but I know if Mom would have run into Dad with his new wife, it would have upset her.
“He was. He was buying a frozen pizza and that broccoli salad.” Mom makes a face because we all know that while the deli in the grocery store has delicious broccoli salad, it’s nothing compared to Mom’s famous salad. She glances at me. “Have you seen him?”
I come over and sit across the table once more. “It’s been a while. He called right after the fire,” I confirm.
“He asked me about the remodel, wanted to know how it was going.”
“And?”
“And I filled him in.” That’s all she says, though, and it’s the way she says it: so casually. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks.
“I don’t know, I guess I just expected a bit more animosity.” And that’s the truth. When my mom found out about my dad’s affair, she wore her anger like a coat. It went everywhere with her, especially when both of our parents were required at the same place at the same time, like our high school and college graduations.
Mom blows a big puff of air from her lungs. “I’m too old to hold grudges anymore, Marissa. If anything, I kind of pity him. I mean, he’s aging horribly, he’s lost the rest of his hair, and apparently touring the English countryside didn’t help his knees any. He was walking with a limp.”
I can’t help but smile at her reply. Even though he devastated and embarrassed her in town with his affair, she seems to be in a much better place than before.
“Besides, Everett Johnson invited me for coffee, and I think I’m going to take him up on it.”
I blink repeatedly, trying to process her words. “Really?” A smile spreads across my face and I find myself leaning forward to hear more.
“Well, he has always been such a handsome man, you know. Plus, he has a nice ass.”
And that’s when I almost fall off my chair. I start snickering, which triggers her giggles. “Mom!” I chastise through my fits of laugher.
“What? It’s true! Don’t act like that, Riss. You know what I’m talking about. Your own young man has a mighty fine ass too. Don’t deny it. I can see the truth beneath that blush.”
Before I can say a word, my front door opens and the man with the fine ass walks into my tiny living room, a knowing smile on his face and his shirt slung over his shoulder. I’m pretty sure he overheard our conversation, and if the way he’s grinning is any indication, I’d say he’s pretty proud of himself right now. “Good morning, Mary Ann. Marissa.”
“Good morning, Rhenn. I made coffee,” Mom says with a big smile, nodding toward the coffee pot.
