Page 92 of Time To Live Again

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“Ma, it’s me,” I shout out as I close the front door. Instantly, I smell the tomato sauce recipe I made at Olive’s apartment. My stomach rumbles loudly. All I want is a home-cooked meal.

“In the kitchen,” Mom hollers.

As I enter, she drops a large spoon of sauce on the counter, red liquid shooting everywhere. I grab some paper towels and help her clean up the mess.

“Well, shit. That spoon’s a slippery little sucker. Thankfully, I’m wearing black.”

“Butterfingers again?” I kneel and wipe up a couple drops off the floor. “Are Sully and Tonya coming?”

“Yes, but later. They’d rather eat at home,” she says, cleaning her shirt.

Good. I was hoping to chat with her alone. I purposely didn’t call her during the week because I wanted to speak face-to-face.

We finish cleaning up, and she puts the lid on the sauce. I refill her wine glass, pour myself some water, then sit at the kitchen table.

She tosses a dishtowel on the counter. “The sauce can simmer for a little while. I thought I’d make you spaghetti, since you eat at fancy restaurants in the hotels all the time.”

“I know I’m spoiled when I travel, but yeah, I’m fancied out. Come and sit, Ma.”

She sits across from me at the table. “I want to hear everything about the surprise skydiving and the Super Bowl party.”

I prop my leg over my knee. “Didn’t Tonya and Sully tell you anything?”

“Yes, but I want to hear your version.”

Thinking about it again energizes me. “It was beyond amazing. I can’t believe Olive pulled that off. Tonya kept asking if we could do it again. And for Sully to show upandskydive? I’ll never forget his face. He actually looked happy for once.” Not that it lasted long.

“I was Smokey’s babysitter all weekend. Boy was she a handful. She doesn’t like me very much. I swear she whined the entire time he was gone and hardly ate. It was like I had a toddler again because I couldn’t sleep. A soon as Sully walked through the door, she climbed up his clothes and curled up in his arms.” She places her hand over her heart and grins. “It tickles me the way he loves that kitten. I think she soothes him somehow. He knows she won’t hurt him. Anyway, tell me more.”

“Like the others, I was high on adrenaline all weekend. When I jumped, I swore Corey was right there with me. It was out of this world. Skydiving with my friends and family, seeing Olive again, and getting to know her brother Andy better…it was an unforgettable experience.

“Oh, and Andy was hysterical with Sam. They were best buds by the time we left. I wish I could’ve been there when they met the first time. Andy’s cool. He’s the goofball in the group. I can’t say Tonya liked him. He’s also very protective of Olive. He takes their mom down a peg or two when things get heated…which seems to be all the time. It hasn’t been easy for Olive.”

She grimaces. “Is Evelyn trying to keep you two apart?”

I tilt my head. “Evelyn? How’d you know her name?”

“Olive told me, or you did.” She swipes her hand like it’s no big deal.

Hmm. Maybe we did. I don’t remember, but whatever. It doesn’t matter.

“Anyway, things are really tense between them, but Olive’s handling it well. I’m proud of her because I’m not sure how I’ll act when I see her mom next. Thankfully, there are no plans for that to happen anytime soon.”

“Be careful what you say or do. You don’t want to add to the tension.”

“Easier said than done, Ma.” I take a few gulps of water and change the subject before I get fired up. “So, Olive’s looking forward to coming here on Monday. We discussed a lot when we were together in San Francisco.”

She sips her wine, hiding her grin. “Like what?”

My throat dries up, and I don’t know why I’m nervous. “I want to take the manager position.”

She springs from her chair, nearly toppling it, sprints over to me, and wraps me in a hug so tight I’m about to burst. “I can’t believe it! My baby boy’s staying home!” I feel like I’m seven years old again. “This makes your ole Ma a happy camper.” She pats my cheek and returns to her seat. “You’ll do a great job. I can’t wait to tell everyone.”

I love how excited she is. She lists all the people she wants to call tonight. Once she calms down, I explain to her I’ve quit my job, and this will be the last article I submit. That chapter of my life is now closed.

“I love Olive, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her, Ma.”

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