Page 69 of Walk the Line

Is it inappropriate to laugh right now? Because I believe what he’s saying and that is quite hilarious.

His mum responds with, “If that’s what you want her to believe, then sure.”

Shaking his head and raising his palms up in defeat, he says, “I’m gone.”

Our eyes meet for a second before he’s out of the door which is when I start processing the fact that I’m alone with his mum. Because it’s a completely normal thing to be having a catch up with the mum of a fuck buddy…Captain? At least he’s not here to make it even more of a weird situation.

“I just love embarrassing him,” she says instantly.

I knew there was something I liked about her.

“I understand,” I say.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you in the flesh, Kaylah,” Vivian says.

“Yeah, you too. Do you visit Julius often?”

“Not that often, but it’s a special occasion. Julius was planning on coming down to see me for it, but I was feeling like driving, so I decided to come up here instead.”

“Oh.” I pause. “It’s not his birthday, is it?”

I really don’t know much about him.

“No. But it is mine.”

“Oh, wow. Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you very much, dear,” she says with a smile.

“Have you had a good day?”

“Yes, very good. He took me out for some food then we went for a walk.”

“That’s lovely to hear.”

She nods, but her eyes remain focused on me for a long time with no words coming out of her mouth. Until, “I have something to say. It’s going to sound very inappropriate so just tell me off if you need to.”

“Um…”

“You don’t seem like you’re having a good day. Is there something you would like to talk about?”

“What would make you think that?” I say, hoping I don’t sound as rattled as I feel.

“Well…I’m a therapist. I’m not a psychic, but some people look very tense. And you’re one of them.”

“Oh.”

“That’s not an insult, by the way.”

Taking in her words, I start with, “I wouldn’t say I’m having bad day, it’s just a day of me thinking a lot. But you’re obviously not my therapist so I won’t go into the details. It would be rude to do that, anyway.”

“Why would it be rude?”

My response is quick. “Because it’s your birthday and you’re visiting your son.”

“It’s definitely not rude to open up to someone who’s willing to listen.”

“There’s really nothing to open up about,” I say, doubting I sound convincing at all.