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“Why would you do that? Your family had money. You didn’t need his.”
“You’re right, but I also had a vision of how I wanted my life to be. My parents were on board with that vision. My family had money and reputation. Not near as much as the Astors but enough that I was an acceptable companion for your father. On paper we were perfect.”
“Do you love each other now?”
“Your father and I are fond of one another. We have the same goals and aspirations. We want the same things out of life.”
“Wow.” I’m speechless. I didn’t think there was ever anything my mother could drop on me that would shock me after everything she’s already done, but I guess I was wrong.
“Be ready.” She turns on her heel and stalks out of the kitchen.
Quickly, I finish breakfast and rush up to my room to text Ryder. He’s working, but he always replies when he gets the chance.
Me: Mother of evil is requesting my presence at the country club this afternoon. She claims to need my help but won’t tell me what with. I’m probably going to be picking out napkins or something as equally boring. Two more days, Ry. Two more freaking days and this is all over.
Throwing my phone onto the bed, I toss the blanket over it and head to the shower. I’m dreading today. Spending any kind of time with my mother is torture. I just need to keep reminding myself that this is it. I’ll never have to go somewhere with her again. I’ll never have to visit the country club again.
I quickly tie my hair up in a bun, as expected by my mother, and pull on a dress. I’m not putting in a whole lot of effort, just enough to keep her off my back.
Just a few more days.
Life is about to change in the best of ways, and I cannot wait. I’d love to say that my mother will see the error of her ways and want to be a better person and be a part of my life, but that’s not who she is. I don’t think she shed a single tear when Jeremy died.
I’m still floored about what she revealed. I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s not like they’re overly affectionate with one another. Now that I think about it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them kiss. Nothing more than a peck on the cheek, and that’s usually for show. Damn, I feel sad for both of them. To never know love is a tragedy. Just something else I have to thank Ryder for.
Me: I just realized that you taught me love. Taught me to give and accept love freely. I can’t wait to spend forever with you.
Tossing both of my phones into my purse, I give myself a quick once-over. I look like a younger version of my mother. She’ll be so proud. I roll my eyes and smile.
Two more days.
Two. More. Days.
“Why are you driving?” I ask my mother. I can’t remember the last time I saw her behind the wheel of a car. Hell, I didn’t even know she had her driver’s license.
“Your father needed Mario today, and Angelo is on vacation. His wife is having another baby.”
“Aw, good for them.” She ignores me, keeping her hands at ten and two on the steering wheel. It appears that the emotionless Margaret Astor is nervous. “Want me to drive?”
“I’m capable,” she spits.
“Okay,” I say under my breath as I type out a reply to Gianna, who asked me what I was doing today. She’s off and wanted to get together for a late lunch.
Me: Headed to the country club with my mother. She claims to need my help but refuses to tell me what she needs help with.
I don’t bother to put my phone back into my purse because I know Gianna will be texting me right back. Sure enough, my phone beeps, and I look at her message.
Gianna: Ugh. Call me later. Maybe we can do dinner.
I’m typing out my reply when a message notification comes from my purse. I freeze. So does my mother, who just pulled up to a Stop sign.
“What’s that?”
“Gianna.” I hold up my phone as the other one alerts me to another message.
“Do you have another phone?”
“What? No. Why would I have two phones?”
She studies me for several long heartbeats, and I pray that she starts to drive, and the notification doesn’t sound again before I can pretend to dig in my purse for… something and turn it on vibrate or clear the messages.
Finally, she starts driving again. Once we get on the other side of town, I reach for my purse and pretend to be looking for something.
“Want some gum?” I ask, still digging. I can’t find the other phone. I knew I should have cleaned my purse out when I thought about it earlier today. Finally, my hands grip the other phone. I’m working on hitting the buttons blindly on the side of the phone to silence it when my mother reaches over and grabs my purse.
