Page 43 of Lance

“Oh, Kev and I are down in Albuquerque. For the glass show. I told you aboutit.”

“I don’t think you did,” I mutter. I would have remembered because it would have annoyed me. As did any mention ofKev.

“Oh sweetie, I’m sure I did. Kev got me entered in a few festivals and shows, just to get a taste for it, and you won’t believe how well it’s been going so far. Yesterday I sold ten pieces. Ten! In just a fewhours.”

My stomach twists. My mom didn’t discover a love for glass art until after I moved out of the house. I guess she had a lot more time on her hands once she didn’t have me to worry about constantly. Her stuff is really good and, more importantly, she’s happier doing it than I’ve ever seen her. Even if she did meetKevat one of herclasses.

And now she’s clearly having a good day. How can I tell her what’s goingon?

“So now I’m on the circuit,” she continues. “We’re going to travel for a while and see what I can sell. But you didn’t call to hear about my glass show,” she says and I can hear the smile in her voice. “You called to try to get me to come out toLA.”

Oh, Mom. You have noidea.

“I just don’t think it’s the right time right now, honey,” she continues. “You all have so much on your plate! I want to visit with you and your friends but I think we should wait a while, until you’re more settled. And, you know, this glass work is going pretty well for meand—”

“Mom, Angie came here yesterday,” I blurt out, knowing the only way I’m going to get through this is by doing it fast so I don’t have time to think about it toomuch.

She’s quiet for a moment. “Are youokay?”

There aren’t many people in the world who know how affected I was by Angie leaving. My mom is one ofthem.

“Um, things are kind of fucked up right now,Mom.”

She sighs. “Don’t tell me you’re letting yourself get caught up in her drama,” she says. “Lance, you’re a smart boy and you know better than that. Thatgirl—”

“She has a kid.” My mom goes silent. I swallow. “A little boy. He’ssix.”

“Oh, Lance.” There’s something in her voice, something that sounds a lot like pain, and I can tell she already knows what I’m about to tellher.

“Angie says he’smine.”

My mom is quiet for a very long time. “Do you believeher?”

“The label already has a lawyer working on it,” I tell her. “We’re having a paternity test done today.” I clear my throat, knowing I’m about to break her heart. “But I’m pretty sure he’smine.”

“You’ve methim?”

“Mom, he’s here. Angie left him with me and I have no idea where she is or if she’s comingback.”

“Well.” She’s quiet again. “Well,fuck.”

I let out a weak laugh. My mother never swears. “Yeah, I think that basically coversit.”

“Give me a minute,” she says, sounding shaky. “I need to wrap my mind aroundthis.”

“I still haven’t wrapped my mind around it,” I mutter. I get up from the edge of the bed and go to peek out into the sitting area. Simon is still sitting on the couch, watching some lurid colored cartoon I’ve never seen before. I slide the door shut quietly and begin topace.

“What’s your plan, Lance?” my mom asks, breaking the silence after several longmoments.

“Plan? God, Mom. You think I have aplan?”

“I think you needone.”

“The lawyer is going to get a DNA test, then we’re going to contact protective services and see what they say. I guess…I guess I’m going to take care of him until we can find Angie and figure out what’s goingon.”

“That sounds like the most sensible option.” She blows out a breath. “What’s he like? What’s hisname?”

“Simon. He…he looks likeme.”