Page 81 of Perfect Pitch

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CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Crying in public is something that happens. Don’t deny it.

—Beautiful Today

I shift my weight back and forth as we wait for the car to take my mother back to the airport. Even though we spent the night talking about my next steps, there’s something haunted behind her eyes. Yet, she tries to fob me off with, “Don’t be nervous, baby. You’re going to be fantastic. No, miraculous.”

I open my mouth, debating if I should bring it up. Is it the right time?

Is there ever going to be a right time?

My mother’s voice drops. “Austyn, what is it?”

I can’t speak, too afraid of her reaction.

“Austyn Melissa,” she emphasizes my full name.

The words fly out as if they were waiting on a trigger to be released. “Mama, you said I could ask.”

Just then, a black town car pulls up. The driver hops out. “Ms. Kensington?” We both turn our heads at the same time. But my mother pales in front of me. After acknowledging the driver—or is it me?—with an affirmative answer, she wraps her arms around me for a fierce hug. “I’ll be here for Christmas. For two weeks.”

I drop my head against her shoulder, her lips at my ear. “And we’ll talk then?”

Capitulating, she agrees, “Yes. I’ll tell you anything you want to know then.”

There’s a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Can you answer a question for me? Just one?”

“Yes.” Her voice isn’t filled with the strength I’ve copied for years. It’s fragile.

Gently, I probe, “Do I know him?”

She jerks her head up and down. Yes? I know who my biological father is? God, I never expected her to admit to that.

My imagination begins to churn. Who? Who is he? Then a wild thought flashes through my mind as I think of every man in Kensington, Texas with blue eyes that even remotely resemble mine. “Tell me it wasn’t Mr. Stevens, my chemistry teacher. I always thought he perved on you.”

She—gratefully, in my estimation—bursts into wild gales of laughter. “Darling, he’s like Gramps’s age.”

“And who knew if he preyed on some of his students.”

“Trust me, it wasn’t him.”

“Well, now I can go home happy.”

“And that’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted—your happiness.” Her words underline her seriousness.

“I love you, Mama. Safe travels.” I wrap my arms around her for a final hug.

“Just for now, Austyn. I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.”

I inhale her scent and know that to be the truth because that’s just how close we are. It’s never a question of how long, but when will we see each other again.

Just before she slips out of my arms, my mother rocks my world. “And maybe you’ll feel up to sharing about the gorgeous man who followed you about in the club.”

I squeak. “You saw Mitch?”

“Hmm. Is that his name?” My mother pulls back and all I find is the same love and support I’ve had my whole life. “Call. Soon. Tell me more about this Mitch. In the meanwhile, I love you, Austyn.”

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