Page 81 of Alfie: Part Two

“So that’s it,” Mom said. “We’re the enemy now.”

No. She had that wrong.

I shook my head. “I never viewed you as the enemy, Mom. I’m grateful for how easy you made my life in many ways. You gave me opportunities most people only dream of. But I never wanted to act like I’m better than everyone else—and that’s what gets you up in the morning.”

She had the nerve to look offended.

“Don’t fucking deny it,” I murmured. “Not once did you try to make Alfie feel welcome in our family. Instead, you went out of your way to show him he’d never fit in. But in doing so, you alienated me as well.” I paused when she broke eye contact. “For God’s sake, you’ve never worked a day in your life, and you still have the audacity to call people working minimum wagelazy.”

That one earned me a glare. “That’s unfair. You’re taking that out of context. I merely point out that everyone who wants to get somewhere in this country can.”

“Very easy to say when you were born at the top.”

She scoffed. “Not this again. If I hear about the alleged one-percent one more time?—”

“Alleged?” I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. “It’s fucking statistics. It’s not something people fabricated.”

She shook her head and put on her gloves again. “You’ve clearly made up your mind. Your father and I have done everything for you—and this is the thanks we get.”

It was no use to argue. She’d never understand or admit to a single wrongdoing.

I was better off just opening the door for her, which I did.

“If you say so, Mom. Have a wonderful life.”

She threw me one more dirty look on her way out.

It was curious to me that she hadn’t protested about not seeing the children…

With perfect timing, Shan had pulled up next to my car, and he was about two seconds away from crossing paths with my mother.

He nodded politely and let her pass. “Hello.”

Mom said nothing at first, but she did turn around to look back at me. “That’s Shannon O’Shea, son. Do you not realize that?”

Shan’s expression flashed with surprise, followed by confusion at what was going on.

“Yes, he’s been kind enough to help me plan my proposal to Alfie,” I replied smoothly. “Enjoy your walk home. Give Dad my best.” With that said, I shifted my attention to Shan and nodded for him. “Come on in, my friend. Pardon the moving-box mess in the hallway.”

“Are you packing up so soon?” he asked and walked in.

“This is from Alfie’s house.” I shut the door and locked it. “We’re finally handing over the keys next week.”

The house hadn’t been difficult to sell, considering the upgrades Alfie had made in the two years he’d lived there, nor had we been involved much in the process of selling it. But tome, the date of handing over the keys marked the end of a miserable period where I’d been without him.

“So that was your mother…” He managed to pull off a wry little smirk at the same time as his eyes reflected a bit of concern. “It’s rarely a good thing when someone knows who I am without knowing me.”

Yes, well.

“I’m familiar with that,” I chuckled. “She’s just being her old self. She had problems with Alfie from day one, and now she’s upset that I no longer put up with her judgment.”

“I see.”

I gestured for the kitchen, because I was hungry. It’d been stupid to drink before having something to eat.

“How was Boston?”

“Windy. They’ve had snow already.” I opened the fridge and pulled out some leftovers. Pizza rolls, some chicken and rice casserole, and marinara with deli meatballs. “I spoke to Alfie every night, and of course he felt the need to mimic the accent.”

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