Page 91 of Love Without Demands

My mother’s face brightened as soon as she answered my FaceTime call. “Mi hijo! I’ve missed talking to you.”

I grinned at her. “We literally talked two days ago, Mama.”

Her soft brown eyes rolled. “Pshhh. What have I told you about teasing your mother?”

Leaning back on my couch, I rested my phone on my abdomen. “It’s my favorite pastime. Don’t try and take away my joy.”

“If teasing me is your favorite pastime, you need to get out more. Are you dating anyone?” she asked with hope lilting her voice.

For once, I had the answer she wanted to hear. “Actually, yes. I’ve met a woman I like a lot.”Love a lot.

Mama’s eyes danced with delight as she started her maternal inquisition. “What is she like? Is she pretty? Where did you meet her? Are you being polite and respectful? You better be openingher door and treating her like a lady, or I’ll come up there and throw a shoe at you.” Her questions and comments came like rapid machine-gun fire, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Mama, you raised me right and taught me how to treat a woman, so no need for any shoe throwing. And yes, she’s beautiful. Her name is Lehra, and she has blonde hair and the prettiest gray eyes.” I let out a soft sigh. “She’s so sweet and funny, Mama. There’s just something so vibrant about her. Everyone at work loves her.”

It had been a while since I’d seen my mother smile this big. “Oh, so you met her at work. Which job? Your security one or your police work?”

“The security one. She’s a receptionist, but she’s training for an executive position.”

“Oooh, ambitious. I like that,” Mama crooned. “Have you met her parents?”

“I met her mom when she came up for a visit. Tabby is a nurse, and I really liked her a lot. I haven’t met her dad yet. He’s a plumber with his own business, so you know how that is.”

“Yes, your father worked so hard, but he always made time for family. You need to remember that when you start your own family, mi hijo. You’re working two jobs, and I worry about that.”

“I know, but you don’t have to worry. I’m making time for some fun. My security job pays the bills, but I really enjoy being on the force, even part-time.”

“You’ve always been a protector,” she said, her voice soft with pride. “I never had to worry about Quintessa or Eli because I knew big brother would look after them.”

“Always,” I confirmed. “How is Eli, by the way?”

“Oh, that boy! You and Quinnie were always so ambitious, and he’s just… not. He wants to stay tied to my apron strings all the time.”

I frowned. I didn’t want my brother to end up like Dwight. “I know he’s the baby of the family, but you need to be firm with him, Mama, like you were with us. Don’t get soft in—” I cut myself off.

“In what?” Mama asked, her eyes narrowing.

Well, I’ve really gotten myself into a pickle here.“In, um, now that Papa’s not around to back you up.”

Her lips quirked up on one side in amusement. “Nice save. For a second there, I thought you were about to call me old.”

“Never,” I chuckled. “You don’t age, Mama. You’re as beautiful as when I was a kid.” I wasn’t even schmoozing with that comment. My mother barely had a wrinkle on her lovely face.

She ran a hand through the hair over her ear, fingering the few gray strands that had started appearing there in the past couple years. “Except for these,” she stated flatly.

“I like them. They show you’ve lived.”

“They show I’m a worrywart,” she retorted on a laugh. “And I’m handling your brother. I’ve started making him go to the P.I. office with me, and he’s actually doing a good job as an investigator. He’s got a sharp mind; he just has to put it to use on something other than those stupid video games.”

“That’s good, Mama. Maybe he can take over the business one day and you can finally retire.”

“Won’t that be the day,” she sighed. “Now, how are your jobs going? You never talk much about whatever you do in the security business.”

I tried not to let the stress of what I was hiding show on my face. “It’s just basic personal security for a corporate executive. He’s… in the clothing industry.” I wanted to tell her that I was working for Auburn Bouvier, but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. This was a conversation best had in person. “Tell you what. Why don’t you come for a visit, and I’ll tell you all about it. Maybe you could ride with me for a couple days.”

“I could use a little vacation,” she said thoughtfully. “And I’d love to see mi nieta in person. Noelle is getting so big, and I’m a little jealous you get to see her all the time. Quinnie said you babysit quite often to give her a break.”

“She’s such a doll, Mama. She has Quinnie’s sweet personality, but she’s a little sassy too.”

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