Page 59 of Tongue-Tied

“Oh, I’m…I’m going to this book signing with Austin, and I…well, he likes flowers, so I thought…”

“Why are you stuttering like that?” She stares at me. “Are you…crushing on him?”

I rear back. “What? No. I’m just being a good friend.”

She pats my leg. “You boys have always been good to each other.”

When I glance at the time on my phone, I spring off the couch. “I’m running late.”

“Oh no! I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you.” She looks stricken. “It’s my fault for assuming you’d have time to spend the evening with your mother.”

Well, fuck. Here comes the guilt.

“Wait, let me just…” I scroll to my last text exchange with Austin.

Mom showed up out of the blue. I’m not sure what to do.

As if for effect, Mom begins sniffling into the tissue again.

It’s okay. You should spend time with her.

I hold in a growl as my fingers fly across the keys.

How about…I’ll meet you there?

Maybe I can see her off in an hour.

I hold my breath as I wait for Austin to respond. Sounds good. But if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay too. Your mom obviously wanted to see you if she came all the way here.

She could’ve given me a heads-up, I think as I shove my phone into my pocket.

“Let me put some things away in my room. I’ll be right back.”

I take the stairs two at a time and then change my shirt and freshen up.

“Is everything okay?” Milo asks.

I sigh. “Yeah, it will be.”

Mom’s waiting in the foyer when I get back downstairs.

“I’m gonna meet Austin later. How about some fresh air?”

We head out the door for a trek toward the pier and end up on the beach as Mom chats about work and again about Tim. It’s obvious to me that the relationship was doomed from the beginning, but I don’t have the energy to try to get her to see it. Again.

“Would you mind heading to the bookstore with me?” I say when I notice the time. “It’s just…I want to try and catch up with Austin before he heads inside.”

“Of course!” She wears a guilty expression as I follow her toward the path. “I feel terrible for showing up like this, but I also really needed to see my son and spend time with him. I miss you.”

“I miss you too.” My stomach throbs, and some of my frustration drains away. “The walk on the beach was nice.”

The bookstore is packed when we arrive, and I find Austin standing in a long line outside that flows around the corner.

His eyes light up. “Hey there! Nice to see you, Jodi.”

They briefly embrace, and as they’re pulling away, Mom says, “I’m sorry I showed up out of the blue like this. I’ve probably ruined everything. I always seem to.”

“Mom, stop,” I say just as Austin blurts out, “No, you didn’t.”

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