Page 355 of Seasons of Love
“What do you mean, Mom?”
“Oh, son. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done it. I’ll call her when we land and cancel.”
“Cancel what?”
“She’s flying to Connecticut and staying in a hotel while we make the arrangements at home. Then she’s flying back with us. I was just so scared of doing all of this with your dad on my own.”
The announcement for the landing comes on.
“It’s okay, Mom. It’s probably a good idea. She’s someone you know and trust to help you get home.”
She scoffs. “Well, my trust in her has changed severely in the last few minutes, but if life has taught me anything, it’s that sometimes we have to fight one fire at a time.” She holds my hand in hers. “And what about that young man who was at the cabin with you? We may be old, but we’re not blind. Dad and I talked about it. We think your age gap could be a concern in the future, but we saw how he looked at you when you weren’t looking, even in that short call. If you two love each other, then we’re happy for you and fully supportive.”
I smile, bringing her hand up to my lips.
“Thank you, Mom.” As soon as we’re home, I’ll call Curtis and set up another date. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us. I have to trust that what we had in the cabin was real, and if I have to fight that shithead who turned up at his doorstep, then I’ll do it.
30
BUBBLE
I hear a noise at the front door and, soon after, steps approaching my room. I close my eyes.
“You can pretend all you want, but I know you’re awake,” Juju says. “I’m going to put a pizza in the oven unless you want me to destroy your kitchen with something a little more gourmet, like a salad?”
“Salad isn’t gourmet. It’s just stuff tossed in a bowl.”
She jumps on the bed and tickles me. “So you are awake.”
“Get off me, ridiculous woman.”
“Make me.”
I turn around and start tickling her back. We end up on the floor, tangled in my bed covers and laughing until we’re crying.
“Thank you for being here,” I say as we lie facing each other.
She grasps my hands close to her chest.
“Ew, I’m touching boob.”
“Shut up,” she says. “We’re having a moment.”
“We are?”
“Yes. The moment where I tell you that you need to stop moping around and pull yourself together. Okay, so you miss him. He’ll be back soon, and you can get back to having all the hot sex.”
“What if something bad happened?” My heart starts palpitating. “What if he’s in the hospital and can’t talk, and there’s no one with him. Oh my god, Juju, we need to start calling all the hospitals.”
I move to get up, but she grips me with the strength of a thousand vices.
“Stop being dramatic. Why would he be in the hospital? You said he went to get his parents from St. Barts.”
“How do you know? He could have slipped on a wet floor and knocked himself out, and maybe he has a concussion and lost his memory. He’ll never remember what we had this Christmas.” My voice hitches and my lower lip wobbles.
Juju closes her eyes and takes a deep breath like she’s giving up. “Okay, why don’t you have a shower and get dressed in anything but yoga pants. We’ll eat pizza and then go to his place. If he’s not there, we’ll ask his neighbors if they’ve seen him.”
“Okay…I suppose that sounds like a reasonable plan.”
