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I sigh heavily. “Looks like you’re always upsetting that girl lately.” It’s Bernie. Her arms are crossed over her chest, and she has a stern look on her face, a look that all mothers seem to inherit the minute they give birth.
“We’re not getting on so good these days, Bern,” I admit.
“Let’s walk the dog and we can talk about it,” she says firmly, leaving no room for arguments.
We set off towards the park. It’s the only rural area we have nearby, and when I say park, I’m being generous. It’s an unkempt area where the local kids used to hang out. It has one slide and a beat-up, rusty climbing frame. The grassed area hasn’t seen a good cut in a long time, but Dodge loves bounding through it. “I once said to Queenie, many years ago, that I thought you and Mae would marry,” announces Bernie unexpectedly.
I inhale sharply. It was the last thing I thought she’d say given the age difference. I’d be more suited to her over her daughter. “I know, I know, it’s shocking. Queenie went bat shit, said it would be fucked up, but yah know what, Pres? It didn’t seem fucked up. You always had a connection, but since she hit her late teens, that friendship you formed, it seemed tight.”
“I’m way too old for Mae, Bern.”
“Are you?”
“You don’t think I am?”
Bernie shrugs her shoulders. “I think that if you love someone, age doesn’t come into it.”
“Whoa, who said anything about love?”
“She’s a good girl, Pres. She needs someone good in her life. Every mother wants her daughter to be taken care of.”
“I’m not that guy,” I mutter.
“You’ve been that guy, so what happened?”
I glance at her, and she gives me a knowing smile. “I know my daughter, and I know you. I’ve seen the way you’ve been around each other lately.”
“And you’re not mad?”
She shakes her head. “Mae is a grown woman. She makes her own choices, and if she’s happy, then I’m happy.”
I sigh. “Well, she isn’t happy right now.”
“Then make her happy.” If only it was that easy. Too much has been said and done.
MAE
I stare at my mum in disbelief. We were having dinner together, and she’d promised me steak and locked off the kitchen to everyone in the clubhouse for the next hour. “You said what?” I almost screech.
She tops up my wine glass. “Don’t look so surprised. You know I can’t stay out of people’s business, especially when it comes to my own daughter.”
I bury my face in my hands and groan. “You are so embarrassing.”
“I just wanted to see what happened to make you both suddenly stop talking to each other.”
“It’s none of your business, and you should have asked me.”
“Like you’d tell me anything. I can’t believe you kept it from me in the first place.”
“Oh my god, I’m never leaving my room again.” Finding out about the conversation she had with Ace earlier is mortifying. A knock at the door brings a smile to her face. She places the wine bottle in the middle of the table and straightens her apron.
“I love you, baby girl. I just want the best for you,” she says, heading for the kitchen door. She unlocks it and pulls it open. Ace steps in looking freshly showered, his hair damp and his black T-shirt clinging to his muscles, hanging out over his jeans.
“Oh my god, Mum, tell me you haven’t set me up,” I cry, standing up.
Ace looks between us, confusion on his face. I’m not sure if I feel better or worse to know he was also in the dark about this. Now, I’ll never know if he wanted dinner or if he’s planning ways to escape. My mum gives an apologetic wave before darting out the door and pulling it closed. “Ace, I’m so sorry. She’s crazy.” I pick up the empty plates from the table, deciding to clear them away and give myself a distraction from the awkwardness of this situation.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
