Page 104 of Hale Damage
“Hello, sweetheart. Just tell me where to start,” she says, kissing my stunned face as she hands me her coat and scarf.
“Mom, hi. I didn’t realize you were coming.”
“Of course, I would come. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my son in his element. I’m so proud of you.” She pats my cheek. “What do you need me to do?”
“Um, actually, Ms. Espinoza was working on the decorations. Come on, and I’ll introduce you.” I take my mother’s hand and guide her to Mindy’s desk. “Mom, this is Mindy Es?—”
“Oh, I’ve already met Mindy. She came to my house to visit with her Aunt Lorraine. How are you dear?”
Mindy rises and rounds her desk to give my mom a hug. I never thought I’d be jealous of my own mother, but here I am, wishing it were me. “It’s so good to see you again, Ms. Hale.”
“Pssh, I’ve already told you to call me Ophelia,” Mom scolds gently. She pulls back and holds Mindy by the shoulders. “I can’t get over how beautiful you are. And your hair is longer than last time I saw you. It’s lovely.”
“Thank you, and you look fantastic, Ophelia. You’re killing this look.” She waves a hand up and down my mom’s form. “I’ve seen clothing models do this where they only tuck in one part of their top. I’ve tried it, but I just look like I ran out of the apartment without getting fully dressed. I wish I could pull it off like you.”
I smile as I listen to Mom and Mindy swapping compliments. There are some women who live for snarky comments and tearing each other down, and then there are women like these two, who build each other up. They’re the types to comment “Slay, Queen!” on each other’s social media posts, complete with the crown and painting fingernails emojis.
I glance over at Antonio, who’s smiling at the scene. When he sees me looking, he busies himself with unloading the dollies.
“Now, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?” my mom asks Mindy. “Are you going to Lorraine’s? You know you’re both welcome at my house.”
“Aunt Lorraine and I are going to Galveston to celebrate with my friend Caroline, her husband, and her parents. Erica and Phil have been like bonus parents for me since I was a teenager.”
“That’s good, sweetheart. I know it must be hard around the holidays without your parents.”
The pieces are starting to fall into place now. When I danced with Lorraine at the wedding, she mentioned her sister had died. So that must be Mindy’s mother. I remember Mindy told me her father passed away when she was a teen, and now she’s lost her only other parent. My chest constricts. That has to be so hard for her.
“Don’t you have some work to do, Remington?” My mom’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I look over to see her shooing me away. “Go take over something or yell at someone, Mr. CEO. Mindy and I have this handled.” She loops her arm through my assistant’s, and I chuckle.
“I can see I’m outnumbered here. Do your worst, ladies.” I checkmy watch and see that lunchtime is approaching. “I’ll order you something for lunch. Any preference?”
“Hmm,” Mom muses. “It’s such a brisk day. How about soup?” she asks Mindy, who agrees.
“Okay, I’ll order the soup flight from Girard’s,” I say. “It’s a nice selection.”
“Don’t forget the crusty bread,” Mom calls as I retreat into my office.
When I emerge two hours later, I have to blink a few times because I think I might have been transported to Whoville. The Christmas tree nearest me is decked out in red and gold, while the one on the far side is done in green and gold. The larger one in the center is a mixture of all three colors, complete with coordinating plaid bows that give the space a classic, elegant feel.
They’ve apparently recruited Antonio into their little decorating extravaganza because he’s up on a ladder, placing red velvet bows exactly where Mindy is directing on the pine garland swooping over the tall windows.
And the lights. Good lord, there are so many lights.
“I might have to wear sunglasses just to come to work,” I comment, earning me an eye roll from the women. “Kidding, ladies. Everything looks beautiful. I can’t believe y’all got all this done in just a couple hours.”
“I think Mindy is part elf,” Mom informs me. “She’s so crafty.”
“You got really good at bow making,” Mindy praises.
“Once I got the hang of it.” My mother holds up her hands, curling her fingers like claws. “I need to go soak my hands now.”
“I’ll drive you home, Ophelia,” Antonio offers, his Irish accent thick as he climbs down the ladder. “Just let me load up the tubs.”
“I can help.” I manage to load two of the totes onto a dolly, and I’m bending to grab another when a rip sounds through the room. And I feel a distinct breeze on my backside.Fuck.
My hands go to my ass, and I feel the ripped seam. “Well, this isn’t ideal,” I say flatly. Mom has her hand covering her mouth, and Mindy’s lips are rolled in to contain what’s obviously a very amused smile at mysituation. Antonio is belly laughing, not even attempting to hide his delight.
“I didn’t realize this was a strip club,” Mindy teases, a giggle escaping. “I would have brought some singles.”
