Page 67 of Between Now and Always

“Because I’m happy. None of those things matter. Who cares?Weare her family. We’ve always been. And now, at least I don’t have to live with the horror of knowing that she can’t be anything else.”

Her expression softens, smoothing all of the worry, confusion and surprise from her face.

“Oh baby, I’m so happy for you. I know—"

The slam of a door makes her jump and her eyes go back to being wide, but this time from trepidation. Heavy footfalls rattle the picture frames hanging on the wall.

I turn and watch in horror as Joe comes down the hall. He’s reading the side of a bottle he’s holding. “Who was that at the door? You got my dick hard and left me alone with this shitty ass wine…” Joe’s words die on his tongue and he stops in his tracks - naked as the day he was born - when he sees me standing there.

My head whips to look at my mother and see what I missed in my excitement over the results.

Her hair looks like she’s be twirling on her head and she’s tugging at her robe, frantically trying to cover something that looks like it’s made of scraps of lace and not much else.

I look around the apartment. The two glasses of wine on the coffee table. The men’s underwear draped over the arm of the sectional. My stomach heaves at the picture unfolding in front of me.

“Oh my God,” I groan and cover my eyes with my hands and turn away from both of them.

“You can’t tell Beth, not yet.” Joe’s voice is frantic.

“Joe! Go, now,” my mother hisses and I hear the slap of feet on the hardwood and then the slam of the door, but I’m still afraid to open my eyes.

I don’t even know how to look at my mother. I don’t understand how this could have happened. Joe is…old.

“You can look now,” My mother’s says in a dour tone.

I move my hand, see her still struggling with her dressing gown and avert my eyes. “Mom, what the hell? He’s old enough to be your—”

She points a finger at me, her eyes shooting fire. “Don’t youdarefinish that sentence, Carter Bosh. I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone. And I’mcertainlynot going to. If you want to wait for Beth, go do it in the lobby. And if you don’t want to see what you just saw again, I suggest you call before you come by here and my place. Because whatever he’s old enough to be,I’mold enough to enjoy it.”

And then she swivels on the balls of her feet and marches indignantly down the hall to the room Joe must have gone into, slamming the door hard behind her.

I stand there stunned for a minute before my brain unscrambles. I’m going to pretend I didn’t see any of that.

My mother’s love life is none of my business and I’ve got my own to sort out. I’ve spent almost two years without the love of my life and I finally have the chance to make her mine again and for good. But first I need to explain about Lisa and hope she can forgive me.

Not a Good Time

BETH

“I have a surprise for you,” my coworker, Gia singsongs as she rests her ample hip against the edge of the counter next to me.

I only spare her a quick glance, but it’s enough to see a huge grin splitting her bright red lips and mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Spit it out, I’ve been working on this roux all day and if I leave it off the heat too long, the last hour I spent stirring it will be for naught.”

“God forbid,” she gasps in mock horror and I can’t help but laugh because I know that I’m obsessive when it comes to cooking, but I also feel like I’ve got a lot to prove.

“Gia, just tell me,” I say through my chuckle.

“Carter Bosh ishere.”

The laughter dies in my suddenly dry, tight throat and I take an involuntary step back.

But it only makes my heart beat harder.

“But … hecan’tbe here,” I whisper, from my behind my hand.

“With his entire band. They just sat down and are placing orders for lunch.” She tips her head toward the swinging doors of the kitchen.

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