Page 90 of Unravel Me

Before I can make it around to the front of my house, my mom comes flitting around the corner, a box in her arms, and smiles under her large sunglasses. It looks heavy on her small frame, so I wipe my brow and rush toward her, lifting the box from her arms.

“I didn’t know you were coming over.” I squint against the afternoon sun.

“Well, I didn’t think you’d be home in the middle of the day on a Tuesday,” she muses, making no attempt to hide the implication in her tone. “I’m just dropping off some veggies. I texted you last night letting you know.”

I usually have all my consultations on Tuesdays, and it’s busy season for the folks who want work done before the holidays. But I’ve had my phone off for three days now.

Good for business, I know.

But the temptation to call her has been strong lately. I spent the morning pushing all her clothes into one closet, so I don’t have to look at them anymore. I can’t even open my kitchen cabinets without seeing a stack of fancy mixing bowls. It’s not like she asked to get anything back, but I couldn’t just throw it out. Ky said I was torturing myself, but if that was true, so be it.

I never claimed to be the man who made all the right choices.

“I haven’t checked my phone Ma, sorry. Been busy, but I appreciate you bringing this all over.” She followed me as I led the way into the kitchen, resting the box on the island. I sift through the food mindlessly.

“You know it’s only me here, right? I can’t possibly eat all of this.”

“Well, I figured you could cook something if you have someone over or something…you know…” She scanned the kitchen, surely searching for a sign that Audrey was back. She hadn’t pried since I came back from New York. But her indirect commentary was almost worse.

“Party of one here. But thank you, I’ll figure it out,” I added quickly, guiding her back outside where I kneeled on the ground next to my project. “Sorry, I need to get back to this.”

“What are you trying to do?” My mom stood in the shade of the house, hands on her hips and feet planted solidly on the ground. I have a feeling she isn’t going to be easy to get rid of. Clearly, she has something to say to me.

The sun continues to beat down on me, my blue t-shirt sticking to my back, only adding to my agitation by the second. I push my damp hair back, feeling as disheveled as I probably look.

“I’m installing a dog door.” I know I'm being short, and I hate that. But I had my phone off for a reason. I want to be alone. I’ll be myself again by Sunday dinner, but right now, in the middle of the week, I just want to avoid responsibility and be an asshole in the privacy of my own home.

“I can see that. Well, it doesn’t look like you’re getting very far.” She points out the obvious and I bite my cheeks before I say something rude.

“Ma, is there a reason you stopped over? I’d love to chat more, but I need to concentrate.” I muster up a half-hearted grin, with the crumpled sheet of useless directions in my hand.

“Honey…it’s none of my business, but it’s clear you’re rattled by whatever happened between you and Audrey.”

There it is.

“Everything is fine. I’m busy with work, you know this is a busy time of year.”

She places her hands on her hips, cocking her eyebrows, unsatisfied with my bullshit answer. Pushing myself up from the ground, I face her, staring into eyes that look identical to mine. “It didn’t work out between us, okay? Sometimes things don’t work out.” I sigh, shoving my hands in my pockets. “We were just two people who crossed paths and had a thing. That’s it. That’s all it ever was, all it was ever going to be. I’m sorry if you and Desi thought otherwise.” I turn away from her knowing eyes, done with this conversation.

Done thinking about this.

Done talking about it.

Done trying to get my heart to believe the bullshit my mouth is spewing.

“Do you really believe that, Rhett?”

My heart somersaults in my chest, but I stand there, stubborn and pissed off. Thinking about the closet full of Audrey’s stuff inside my bedroom, and how she should be here, right now.

“I think you loved her.” My mom looks pointedly at me, sighing softly. “And baby, she loved you, I know she loved you. Whatever she did, or you did, whatever happened…just make sure you’re willing to throw everything out over it.”

“I don’t want to talk about this.” My voice is gruff as I start walking away.

“This is the last thing I’ll leave you with, okay?”

I’m forced to turn and face the woman who raised me, the one who sees straight through my angry facade. “In life, you only get one great love. If you’re lucky, that’s the person you spend your life with. And honey, life is short, so damn short.” Her voice catches as she shrugs, and my throat tightens. “You can be angry and hurt, but don’t waste time, Rhett. You already know the answer. You know if she is the one for you. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It means all the stuff you have to sort out between you is worth it.”

I don’t say anything back, the words caught in my throat, tearing away at every ounce of angry resolve I built up.