Page 27 of A Night To Remember

Jake knew in time that his friend would get over it, but in the meantime, he’d had to endure the cold shoulder for a little while. Maybe he should have tried harder to explain his involvement with Charlie when the subject had come up, but something had stopped him. How could he lay prior claim to a woman who had left him after a one-night stand with no explanation?

Jake’s phone rang, breaking into his thoughts. It was his private line, and since no one but Steve and his family had the number, he figured it was one of his family members.

‘This is Jake,” he answered a little tersely.

“Of course it is, dear, who else would be answering your private line?” Moira Fox laughed.

“Hi, Mom. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

“I’m just making sure you’re coming to dinner tonight,” she answered breezily.

Jake rolled his eyes heavenward, glad his mom couldn’t see his face. His mother was probably one of the sweetest ladies anyone would have the good fortune to meet, but she had the unfortunate tendency to nag sometimes.

“Yes, Mom, I’m still coming. You’ve already called yesterday and the day before about my coming over and nothing has changed, Mommy Dearest.”

“Jake, you know I hate when you call me that. Surely you don’t think of me that way.”

“No, I don’t. Joan Crawford was not as relentless as you are,” he said dryly.

“Humph. I swear, Jacob Andrew Fox, you have the most twisted sense of humor,” she scolded lightly, but he could still hear the laughter in her voice. He and his mother shared the same sense of humor.

“I learned from the best. So what’s so great about tonight of all nights? I have dinner with you guys every week.”

“I know but your brother and sister canceled. The twins have colds so Carl is helping Bridget out at home, and Helen twisted her ankle.”

“That’s too bad. Is it anything serious?”

“No. It’s not so bad, just a light sprain. That’s how it goes when you’re dealing with a bunch of rambunctious boys. I can’t tell you how many times I injured myself chasing after you, Helen and Carl when you were kids. I guess they’re finally getting their payback. I’m a bit disappointed though, I was looking forward to seeing my grandkids tonight.” Moira sighed wistfully.

Oh God, here it comes. Jake, braced himself. Since Jake hit thirty, his mother never failed to bring up his single state in conversation. They could be talking about something as mundane as the weather and Moira would manage to twist it around to marriage and babies.

“It would be so nice to have more grandkids, particularly a sweet little boy or girl with your eyes. You have your father’s eyes. Imagine those eyes in a little baby. You were such an adorable baby, Jake. The twins have my eyes, and Helen’s boys take after their father.” She let out a long, pained sigh, laying it on thick.

Jake shook his head in exasperation. “Mom, I know where you’re going with this, but you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“Is it so wrong for me to want to see you happy and settled down with some children of your own? Look at how happy Helen and Carl are with their families. Forty isn’t that far off for you, Jake. No one deserves to kick loose as much as you do, honey, especially after you’ve worked so hard to build your business, but I think it’s time for you to stop sowing those wild oats of yours and give your father and I some more grandchildren,” Moira lectured

“Gee, Mom, and I thought the idea was for me to be happy, not for you and Dad to have more grandchildren. Isn’t six enough?” Jake asked, getting a bit irritated. It was hard to be angry with his mother, but she had called when he was already in a bad mood.

“Yes, we have six grandchildren, but none of them are yours,” Moira pointed out.

She sounded hurt and Jake felt like the biggest asshole on Earth. Lately, he seemed to be rubbing everyone the wrong way. “Mom, I’m sorry. I’m just a little stressed.”

Silence.

“Mom, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here. I’m sorry too. Sometimes I forget you’re a grown man capable of making your own decisions, but you’re still my baby,” she said fiercely.

“I know, Mom.” Not knowing what compelled him to do it, he said, “I’ve met someone.”

“Really?” The happiness in her voice was enough to bowl him over through the phone. “Will you bring her to dinner with you? I would be happy to make room for one more.”

He would have laughed at how quickly she snapped back to her cheerful self had he not been so depressed. “No. It hasn’t gotten that far yet,” he said dejectedly.

“Is everything okay, son?”

“She doesn’t feel the same,” he said hoarsely, his voice full of emotion.

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