Page 109 of Daddy, Sir

She hadn’t seen the key to her mom’s house in ages. It wasn’t like she carried it around on her keychain. “I didn’t bring it with me, Mom. Figured you’d be there.”

There was a tsking sound. “Jamie, life doesn’t stop when the kids grow up. You can’t expect me to be home, when you didn’t even give me warning you were coming.”

“I know th?—”

“And besides I’m not an old lady, you know? I was young when I had you, and I still have a lot of life to live. Hell, I’m not even fifty yet.”

“Mom…” She muted the call so she could let out a long sigh. It was always like this between them. She loved Alice, but the simplest things turned into an argument. It was one reason to avoid going home often.

“I know you don’t approve of me dating, but you’re not a kid anymore. You have to recognize that adults have needs too and?—”

Jamie cringed and tuned her out. The last thing she wanted to think about was her mother’s ‘needs’.Ugh. She let the woman wind down to take a breath, and then jumped in quickly with, “I know, mom! I totally approve. Youshouldbe out there dating. You’re still a young woman.”

That seemed to short-circuit the lecture and Alice went silent for a few seconds. When she spoke again, some of the wind had been taken from her sails. “Well, uh, good. I’m glad you agree.”

“I do. You deserve a weekend of fun, Mom.”

“Ireallydo. Between you and me… I think Jerry might be the one.”

There had been a few ofthoseover the years, but it never seemed to stick. And it wasn’t really their fault. Her mother was smart and fun, everyone liked her. The fact that she was also beautiful meant she could have almost any guy she wanted.

But Alice was picky. She had high standards, and the men she dated always seemed to meet them, at first, but after a while, she’d become unhappy, unsettled. Eventually, she’d send them on their way.

Jamie used to feel bad for them. They always seemed so… confused, about what had gone wrong. Some of them were really great guys too, but that didn’t seem to matter. She no longer bothered to meet them or remember their names.

Alice had noticed and had decided that Jamie didn’t want her mom to date. Letting her think that was easier than arguing with her about it. “I hope so, Mom. He sounds like a keeper,” was all she said.

“Thanks, baby. I’m really happy with him.” Her tone was noticeably warmer now. “Anyway, you know where the spare key is. Just go ahead and let yourself in. I’m sorry we missed each other, but I’m sure you’ll be busy enough with your friends anyway.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Of course it is. Just don’t make a mess and don’t have any boys over.”

Jamie’s mouth dropped. “Mom! Boys? Really? I’m almost thirty.”

She laughed. “Just kidding, sweetie. Well, not about the mess part. If I come home to a pile of dirty dishes, I’ll murder you, but as far as boys, well, just remember what I always told you: make sure you’re being safe, and don’t count on them to bring the protection.”

“Moooom.” Her voice rose as she drew the word out in horror.

“What? I know how reunions can be. I’ve had a few myself, don’t forget. Too many drinks, an old crush, and before you know it, you’re in the backseat of?—”

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.It was mortifying. Having sex in her mother’s house was definitely not on the agenda. It would just feel weird.

She did her best to tune out whatever details Alice was happily sharing, quickly said her goodbyes, and got off the phone. “Why is she like this?” she muttered as she let her head fall back against the seat, staring blankly at the soft gray roof for a few minutes, before she sighed and started the car.

Thanks to the reunion she’d been thinking a lot about the past. Now her mother, with her awkward comments, had added a new edge to her thoughts and she spent the rest of the drive thinking about Oliver, remembering, and wondering.

It was still morning, barely, when she pulled up in front of the house. It looked… different. At some point her mother had made changes, and for a second, she thought she’d stopped at the wrong address.

The white box she remembered had been replaced with a sunny yellow home that seemed smaller. Green shutters framed the windows, and flower beds now bordered the front. It looked great, but it didn’t mesh with the memories. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so jarring, if she hadn’t been thinking about the past all the way there.

Especially when she walked around back to find the key.Jeez,it’s only been a year since I was here last.The old swing set that had occupied her and Oliver for so many hours was gone, replaced by a flagstone patio. To be fair it had been slowly rusting away for years, but it was still a shock.

Unfortunately, the old clay plant pots on the steps were also gone, and one of them had held the spare key.Shit. She tried calling her mother, but there was no answer.

She stood there, uncertain of what to do. It wasn’t too late to go find a hotel, but now she kind of wanted to go inside and see what else had changed.

Her mother was always forgetting her key, so there was going to be a spare hiddensomewhere. She just had to find it, which turned out to be easier said than done. After half an hour of searching, she gave up and started trying the windows.

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