Page 52 of Outlaw Xmas
“Mom said she hasn’t seen Jack in a long time. I think she’d like to see him before she dies.” Her voice hitched on the last word.
He placed his hand on hers. “This must be tough on you. Your mom’s a good woman. The last couple of times I was gonna bring Jack over, she said she was busy. She didn’t tell me she wasn’t feeling well.”
“That’s the way she is. Doesn’t want to stress anyone out. I had no idea she had cancer. None of us did. It sucks.”
“I’ll bring Jack to see her. I’d like to see her too. Is she at Pinewood Hospital?”
Brianna nodded and grasped his fingers. “I’m so scared I’m gonna lose it when she dies. I’ve been working so hard to straighten out my life.”
“That’s good. Are you still in Durango?”
“No. Me and Johnny split up. It was the best thing for me. I got clean and sober.”
“Where’re you living now?” Chas smiled at the waitress as she refilled his coffee cup.
“You want something?” Stella asked Brianna. She shook her head and the waitress ambled away.
“I’m living here at my mother’s house. I got a job and everything.”
All of a sudden, he had a sour taste in his mouth. Glancing over at Jack, his heart squeezed as he watched the color drain from his face.He’s remembering how she treated him. There’s no fuckin’ way she’s getting close to him. Or me.He pulled his hand away from hers.
“Where’re you working?” he asked.
“I’m a receptionist for this charity. It’s called Brighter Lives.”
“Mom does stuff with them,” Jack blurted out, then clammed up when Brianna gave him a death stare.
“That’s right. Addie and several of the old ladies are involved in a fundraiser we’re doing next Saturday.”
“Are you still withher?”
“Yeah. Of course. We’re married and have a daughter.”
The lines around her mouth deepened. “Mom told me. She was surprised we didn’t get back together.”
“She never said anything to me like that.” What he wanted to tell Brianna was that her mother told him she was finally happy he’d found a good woman who would love him and be loyal to him. He waved Stella over.Visiting time is over.“Check, please.”
“How’re you doing, Jack?” Brianna asked sweetly.
Jack shrugged. “Okay. Are we going now, Dad?”
“Yeah.” Chas slid out of the booth.
“We should get together for dinner sometime.” She brushed against Chas.
“I don’t think so. I’ll take Jack to see his grandma.”
“When? I mean, I’d like to be there when you do.”
“Just when I get some free time. We gotta go.”
“It was great seeing you again. You look real good still. How do you think I look?” She ran her hands over her body.
“You look fine.” He walked to the cash register and Jack rushed in front of him. After paying, he headed for the door, and Brianna came up to him.
“Don’t I get a hug?”
“No.”
