Page 62 of Absorbed

“Maybe. But she’d understand.”

“No. I’m supposed to be smarter than this. Cause no problems. Take care of myself.”

Gabe exhaled. “She doesn’t expect you to be perfect.”

Stacey avoided his gaze. She wiped her cheeks and willed her strong new attitude to return.

“Your mom loves you, Stace. She’d do anything for you.”

She knew Gabe was right, but suddenly wanted to end the conversation. She had no intention of ever telling her mom anything.

Stacey bit her lip, nodded, and turned away. It was easier to lie without looking him in the eye. “I’ll think about it.” She stoodand slipped her feet back into her Birkenstocks. “I should go. Thanks for–”

Her unspoken words hung in the air as she walked out of Gabe’s bedroom.

“How was your day at the pool?” Stacey’s mom asked, staring at her from across the table between bites. Since dating Greg, her mom had made more of an effort to cook real meals and to eat at the table.

“Fine.” Stacey leaned over her plate and bit into the soft tortilla, the fajita juices dripping into a puddle.

“Did you say you stopped by Gabe’s?”

“Um hmm…” Stacey nodded and chewed, her eyes down.

“How is he? Everything good between you two?”

Stacey chewed the last bite of her tortilla, nodding, and wiped her mouth. “I guess.”

Her mom picked at her rice with her fork.

The ticking clock intensified the silence.

Stacey leaned back in her chair and sipped her water. “How was work?”

“Good. Same old blue-hairs coming in for their same wash-and-sets and perms.” She took a sip of wine. “It pays the bills. Lord knows I have plenty of those.”

“I have the money to give you for the swimsuits. Sorry I didn’t pay you back sooner.”

“Thanks. That will help.” Her mom smiled and their eyes met briefly, then she stabbed several strips of bell peppers and shoved them in her mouth.

Murphy shifted and groaned on the ground by their feet.

“I like the thing you put up on your wall. It’s really cool. It’s a dream catcher, right?”

Stacey cringed. “Thanks.”

“Are you going back to those art classes?”

Stacey shrugged.

“You should. You’re really talented.”

“No one else was going. She probably isn’t doing it anymore.”Especially since it ended so awkwardly last time.

“You never know unless you show up, right?” her mom said.

Stacey looked at the clock. It was after seven. Ms. Moreno might still be there for a while. If she showed up at all anymore. Stacey turned back to her plate, pushing a shriveled tomato through the puddle of sauce with her fork.

Looking over the rim of her glass, her mom said, “I can clean up dinner. You should go.”

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