Page 65 of Misadventures Of A Single Mom

“Go. I’m fine.” I fake smiled.

She gave me the eye. “You’re sure?”

I nodded.

“I’ll stay with her,” Kelly said, offering Goldie what looked like a reassuring smile.

She glanced at Kelly, considering. “Well, all right then.” Standing, she leaned down to give me a kiss on my cheek. “I’m off, but I’ll be back later. And sweetie, don’t worry about Ty. He’s just all confused right now.”

Confused.Sure.

“Where are you headed tonight?” Kelly asked. Bless her heart for redirecting Goldie.

“Zelda Dinkleman’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s wedding shower. I can’t wait to see Zelda’s face when Arlene opens my present.”

Goldie had that sinister look.

“What has that woman ever done to you?”

“She circled around Paul like a bee to honey before we married.”

“That was forty years ago!”

“A woman scorned and all that.” Goldie sniffed.

Kelly laughed. “Remind me to never cross you.”

“So what did you get the poor girl?” I could only imagine the gift.

Goldie lit up like a Christmas tree. “His and hers slutty lingerie. Crotchless panties for Arlene and those new-fangled pouchless briefs for Zelda’s son. Ha! She’s going to think about her son, herbaby, wearing pouchless briefs for the rest of her life. Can’t wait to see her face. Gotta run!”

Kelly shook her head when the front door closed. “You know, that woman is nuts.”

We watched a made-for-TV chick flick in companionable silence. I didn’t have any idea what the movie was about. My mind was completely distracted with thoughts of Ty. I was relieved he wasn’t hurt, hurt that he didn’t want me, and I wanted him more than I ever thought possible.

There was a knock on the door. Kelly got up to answer it for me. From my seat on the couch I couldn’t see who it was. Kelly spoke to the visitor for about a minute, quietly so I couldn’t hear. Then Ty came into the living room. He looked the same as at the hospital. Dirty fire gear, sooty face. Angry look. Wide stance, broad shoulders, sexy body. I had no idea where he’d been, but it hadn’t been near water or soap.

Zing! Damn. I hated feeling the zing for a man who didn’t want me.

“Hi,” I said weakly.

“I need a shower.” He walked off and into my bathroom, shutting the door with a slam.

Kelly came over, gave me a quick careful hug. I held my tea out away from her arms. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Yeah, right.” I laughed. “How can you say that? You weren’t in the ER to see how angry he was.”

“I saw the look on his face just now. He’s hurting, too. Give him a chance.”

“Give him a chance? He’s the one who walked out on me!”

Kelly was unruffled by my anger. With seven kids, it was easy to stay calm. “I’m going to go.”

“Fine, walk out on me, too,” I moped.

Kelly laughed. “How about some cheese with that whine?”

I frowned. “Not funny.”

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