Page 57 of Cause and Effect

“Shit. My mother is here.”

Julian and I headed down the stairs.

“There you—” She stopped midsentence when she saw Julian. “Oh, hello.”

“Hi. I’m Julian Hamilton.” He extended his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Julian. You’re Laurel’s boss, right?”

“One of them.” He smiled.

“Where are my granddaughters?”

“They’re over at Parker’s house swimming in the pool.”

“So early?” Her brows furrowed.

“We were at Roman’s house yesterday for a barbecue, and my car wouldn’t start when we went to leave, so Julian was kind enough to let us stay the night at his house so I could call the tow truck first thing this morning.”

“So, why are you two here and the girls at Parker’s?”

“Because I have some errands to run and forgot my credit card. Julian drove me here to get it. What are you doing here, Mom?”

“Well, I have the most exciting news to tell you!”

“Okay. What is it?” I smiled.

“Two weeks ago, I entered a radio contest and won!”

“What did you win?”

“A month-long, all-expenses-paid Caribbean cruise for two. Can you believe it, Laurel?” She beamed with excitement.

As happy as I was for her, I worried about how it would impact my life for an entire month.

“That’s great, Mom!”

“Congratulations.” Julian smiled.

“When is the cruise?” I asked.

“I don’t think your father and I are going to go.”

“Why not?”

“Because you need us here. I was just so excited to tell you because I’d never won anything like that before.”

“Mom, you have to go. The girls and I will be fine. I’ll work it out while you’re gone.”

“No, Laurel. I couldn’t do that to you.”

“Mrs.—”

“Please, call me Darlene, Julian.”

“Darlene.” He smiled. “Laurel and the girls will be fine. I’ll make it my mission. I have a driver named Sam who can pick them up daily from school while you’re gone. You won a trip. Not everyone can say that. Go and have fun. You’ve earned it.”

“Yeah, Mom. You and Dad have to go. You two haven’t been anywhere since you moved to San Francisco to take care of Grandma.”

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