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“I took Betty Paige out on a date last night,” he tells me. “We went to the movies. I paid for it with the money Mr. Powell gives me for mowing his yard.”
My heart goes up and down, side to side, flips, flops, and twists. Not only have I not been there to teach my son to drive, but I’ve missed his first date. Not only his first date, but one with Liam Page’s daughter. My body temperature rises and not in a good way.
“Liam was okay with this?”
Mack nods. “I asked him first,” he tells me. “I mean I had to ask if I could go out, but then I asked him if it would be okay if I took Betty Paige to the movies.”
“As friends?”
Mack’s cheeks flare pink.
“I like her, Dad. A lot, and I know she likes me.”
I know. I’ve known for years.
“Okay.” I’m not sure how to proceed. Liam knows so that’s good. “Promise me something, Mack.”
“Liam already had the talk if that’s what you’re going to say.”
“I wasn’t, but that’s good to know. Just be careful, okay?”
Mack nods again. “Dad?”
“Yeah, son?”
“I kissed her.” He grins and giggles and then the little shit hangs up the phone.
14
Timing is everything. If Amelie hadn’t shown up on my off week and told me about her mother’s boyfriend, whose name I can’t even bring myself to say, I’d be sitting alone in my apartment asking myself, “Self, what the fuck are you doing?” I came to South Africa to make sure my daughter was okay, make sure she lived in a safe neighborhood, to enroll her in school, and had a schedule full of activities. Even though Aubrey told me she was going to be around for our daughter, the reality is, she’s never here. And maybe that’s my fault. Maybe knowing I was here to make sure Amelie was okay made her think she didn’t need to be present. Who knows.
What I do know is our luggage is packed and sitting by the door, the car rental returned, Talisa’s work visa is approved and in hand, and as soon as Aubrey gets here, we’ll be on our way to the airport.
When I first brought up moving back to Beaumont to Amelie, she hesitated. As I knew she would. I’m not trying to take her away from her mother—I’m trying to protect her. The things she said, and the man her mother is choosing to be with, put my daughter in harm’s way. I had hoped Aubrey would see the light, but she’s in love or re-in love as she’s called it and has blinders one. At this point, there isn’t any arguing with her. If she wants to see Amelie and Mack, she’ll come to the states. If she wants them to come to wherever she’ll be living, Talisa will fly with them, and the fiancé won’t be allowed anywhere near my children. It’s simple, I don’t trust him. I’ve seen enough child abuse victims in my office, true crime documentaries, and stories of parents or stepparents doing the unthinkable to their kids. That won’t happen to mine. Not as long as I’m alive.
Aubrey’s car pulls up and I usher Amelie and Talisa outside. They each carry a bag, while I make a couple of trips to get everything. Talisa is excited about moving to the states and tells me she plans to watchComing to Americaon the plane. I don’t have the heart to tell her how outdated the original film is, and how where we’re going is nothing like Queens. I think she’s going to enjoy living a subdued lifestyle and after a week, everyone in town will know her by name.
While I’ve been gone, Liam has been busy revitalizing the downtown space. He’s purchased the building next door to Whimsicality and has turned some of the floor into different businesses, such as a photography and dance studio. There’s a new bakery, ice cream shop, and some other businesses. Of course, this isn’t enough for him. He decided to start his own record label—FMG Records—whatever that’s supposed to mean. Liam’s hired Elle to work for him, while she manages her bands. Betty Paige works there as well while Mack works wherever he’s needed, which is mostly at Mr. Powell’s or walking Beau, Ben and Elle’s dog. After Ben’s cancer scare, he and Elle have decided to spend more time in Beaumont, which is great for my son because he’s very attached to their dog.
Of all people, it was Josie who convinced Amelie to move back. With a new dance studio opening up, she said she’d sign Amelie up for lessons if she wanted. And the owner of the photography studio offers classes. There were things to do now. In less than the year we’ve been gone, Beaumont has grown. The only thing I cared about was the water tower. Not that I want Mack drinking there, but it’s a rite of passage and I’d hate for him to miss out on it. Liam assures me, it’s not going anywhere.
When we arrive at the airport, Aubrey pulls along the curb and puts her car into park. She gets out and opens Amelie’s door, while Talisa and I gather the luggage. Aubrey and Amelie are hugging, and I can’t hear what they’re saying to each other. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not overly pleasant if Amelie’s doing all the talking. She’s very upset with her mother right now. Can’t say I blame her.
Aubrey lets her go, and then comes over to me. She rocks back on her heels, and I wonder what’s on her mind. The thing is, months ago, I would’ve asked her. Now, I don’t really care.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say. Should I shake her hand? Thank her for almost twenty years of marriage? I’m not sure I’m thankful, not after the things she told me when I confronted her. She never fully loved me, not in the way I loved her. She pined for a man she had given up when she met me, and for what? To go back to him? It’s Josie and Liam all over again, and it fucking stings. The difference is, Iknewabout Liam. I knew I was always the second choice in Josie’s life and as much as I wanted to be first, I never would’ve held that title as long as Liam Page was alive.
“That’s it?”
“What do you want from me, Aubrey?”
“A hug would be nice or for you to tell me you’re sorry for taking Amelie away from me.”
I step forward and give her a one arm hug and don’t even touch the last half of her request. I’m not sorry. I should’ve stood my ground from the beginning, but I wanted my family to stick together. At the time, I thought I was doing the right damn thing.
Live and learn.
Aubrey mumbles something unintelligible and I don’t care enough to ask her to repeat herself. She goes to Amelie again, and instead of eavesdropping, I start taking the luggage over to the porter. It’s much easier than dragging all of these bags through the airport. I hand him our passports, and Talisa gives him hers. Her hands are shaking. Gently, I rest my hand on top of hers to ease the anxiety.
