Page 70 of An Unexpected Turn
“He is” was all I was able to croak out.
“I’m glad, and I’m ready to meet him when you’ll let me.”
No, he wasn’t.
When I finally did muster the courage to tell him the truth, it would change everything. And I would never be ready for that.
Mom and I didn’t say much after everyone left. We cleaned up my kitchen in silence, not making eye contact until I spotted two cups of tea on my dining room table.
I didn’t hear any apologies from my mother growing up, but when she was sorry, she showed it with a gesture instead of words. My favorite lip gloss that she happened to find in the drugstore on her way home or a cookie from the bakery was how she extended an olive branch after a disagreement.
“Is this my ‘I’m sorry’ tea?” I asked as I sat down and wrapped my hands around the mug.
A tiny smile pulled across her mouth as she picked up the other mug.
“I shouldn’t have looked.” She held up a hand. “But I guess that’s what I get for being nosy. I hate not knowing anything about you anymore.”
“And I could be a little more open about what’s going on besides work.”
“And why you’re here in the first place.” She leaned in, arching a brow. “I know about the principal at your old school, Peyton.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. I studied her, searching for what I’d thought I’d see if she ever found out. I couldn’t spot anger or disappointment, only the same hurt I’d noticed when she told the story of me wanting to move in with Uncle Keith.
“What ... How ...”
“Doesn’t matter how I know. What matters is why you didn’t tell me.”
“How was I supposed to tell you? Hey Mom, I had an affair with my married boss and didn’t lose my job but couldn’t do it anymore because I’d lost everyone’s respect.”
“If it’s the truth, yes. Instead, you ran up here to your uncle instead of coming to me. Just like you always did. Did you think I’d judge you or not stick by you?”
“No, but ...” I pinched the end of my tea bag between my fingers. “It’s less likely I’ll disappoint Uncle Keith than you.”
Until now. My present relationship would tilt those scales significantly when it finally came to light.
When she didn’t reply, I took a deep breath before continuing.
“I believed a lie that deep down I knew wasn’t true, and I paid for it. You raised me better than how I acted. Uncle Keith doesn’t know either, and yes, I ended up here, but I was just looking for a place far enough away to feel like an escape. I never meant to hurt you. Then or now.”
I turned to stand when she caught my arm.
“I’m hurt that you were hurt, although your uncle not knowing either does give me a little satisfaction.”
She smirked, and I let out a long exhale as I draped my hand over hers.
“I’m sorry for underestimating you, Mom. I should have let you come to school and attack like you used to when I had problems.”
“I would have if I’d known.” My nose burned when I met her watery gaze. “I was thinking about moving back up here. It’s not like I’m working anymore, and all my family is in this sleepy little town now. I may as well.” She shrugged, an audible sigh leaving her lips before she peered up at me. “But you’re happy? Work? The ice cream man? You’re sure?”
“I’m sure, and if you moved up here, I’d love it. Sleepy can be nice.”
She trudged over to the kitchen and dumped the rest of her tea into the sink.
“This town isn’t sleepy, just fools you into thinking it is. Remember that.”
My mother’s words rolled around in my head all night, making it hard to relax enough to sleep. I was able to start to let go of one secret but still had to hold on to the other. It was mentally exhausting enough to keep me awake.
I’d started to drift off, just as the black sky outside my window turned gray, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I read 6 a.m. across the top when I squinted at the screen.
