Page 35 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“That’s okay. He didn’t know and I’m sure he won’t do it again,” she said.

“We’re talking about Mayson. Nothing surprises me,” I said, reaching into my pocket and pulling out my keys. I took the house key off and handed it to her. “There is a spare one too that I have on the porch hidden in a pot. I’ll get you that one on the way out.”

“Why don’t you hold on to it for a while? I mean all your stuff is here. You never know when you need it and if I’m at work it's just more convenient if you can get in yourself,” she explained.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel...uncomfortable with that,” I said honestly.

She smiled. “Orion, I feel many things when I think about you, but uncomfortable is not one of them. Trust me, I’m okay with you having a key. Mayson, not so much.”

I laughed. “Funny. I never gave him one. I’m sure you can see why.”

“Definitely.” She leaned into me briefly, then pulled back. “Now, show me that coffee pot.”

I let her slip from my arms and went to the cupboard. Keep the keys she said. Very promising indeed.

CHAPTER 12

Raya

“Joey, I have wonderful news,” I said, not being able to hold back my excitement. I called him much earlier than I was supposed to so I wouldn’t interrupt his sleep. Because I knew he would need time to process what I was about to tell him.

“You’re coming home?” he blurted out.

Damn it. Why did you need to ask that? What I was about to say was only going to disappoint him for sure. But it had to be said.

“Sorry, Joey. I’m not coming back to the States. I wanted to let you know that I found a house for us. It’s perfect. Not only will you have your own room, but there is another one so you can have a friend or two, sleepover.”

“And you think my friends are going to fly all the way to Tabiq for a sleepover?” he asked, sarcastically.

I wasn’t about to correct him. Normally I would. I was his mother, and he shouldn’t speak to me like that, but I understood why. He was lashing out at me for uprooting him and bringing him halfway across the world. It was also wrong of me to even mention friends. It was just reminding him of what he was losing. I’d like to be able to tell him that they can keep in contact, but hell, it was hard enough for me with the time zone difference.

“Joey, what I know is that you will make new friends here just like I am.”

“So, I should tell Kathy that you’re not going to be her friend anymore?” he asked.

Oh, you are really making this hard for me.

“Kathy knows that we will still be friends. Actually, she was talking about coming for a visit once we are all settled in. Won’t that be nice?” I asked.

“Yeah, it will be, because you don’t play video games and she is really good. You will never believe it, but she almost beat me. I have to get more practice before she comes so I will be ready for a rematch,” he said.

It was good to hear that he was looking forward to something, but video games weren’t exactly what I was hoping for. That was a fight for another day. One when he was here and settled. Hopefully with friends.

“Did you want to hear more about the house?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“Nope. I guess I’ll see it when I get there,” he said with a huff.

Yes, you will. “Okay. What else is going on? How was your day?”

“Good. But my show is starting. Can you talk to Kathy now so I can go and watch it?” he said.

Couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving him behind. That was going to change very soon. “Yes. That’s fine. I love you, Joey.”

“Love you. Bye.” I heard him lay the phone down and yell, “Kathy, Mom is on the phone and wants to talk to you now.”

Or something like that.

She picked up the phone a moment later and said, “That was quick. What did you tell him?”

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