Page 24 of Sticking Around

“Yeah, sorry. Been busy.”

“Too busy for your own mother?”

“No, uh. Just had some things to take care of.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge, and find Melanie standing in the doorway. I hand it to her and give a nod when she gazes at me, her eyes questioning if I’m okay.

“Jeez, ducky. Thought you died on me.”

“No, just ah…” Melanie takes the water and disappears down the hall. “How are you feeling?” That question sets Mom off on a litany of aches and pains she’s currently experiencing. “I’m going to need more money, Brady.”

“What for?” I ask.

“The water heater is gone, and you know I don’t have any extra cash laying around.”

Naturally I’m going to give her the money, but I was sure there was a leak just last year and it was replaced. “Didn’t you just replace that last year?”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“No, of course not.” I walk to the patio and glance out at the busy beach. “How much?”

“A few thousand.” Something bangs in the background and my uncle’s curses come through the phone. “Your cousin Bethany needs to get some new skates for the kids.” I don’t answer right away, my gaze on the guy trying to windsurf with no wind, which results in Mom saying, “You know times are tight here. It’s not like I’m spending it on anything frivolous. If I had any of your father’s life insurance money left…”

“Carl is still out of work?” For as long as I’ve known Bethany’s husband Carl, he’s been out of work. Times are tough in Newfoundland, that’s for sure.

“Not much for him here in Paradise.”

“No, you’re right, and kids do need new skates every year.” I remember one year when I needed two new pairs. That was when I was going through a crazy growth spurt.

“You were lucky we had the money to buy them.”

“True,” I say, feeling guilty that I should be grateful, even though I don’t feel all that lucky. Except when I’m with, Melanie. That’s when I feel lucky. Shit.

I click open the patio door and swallow down the emotions before they affect my voice. I don’t need to be told to stop being a pussy. “I’ll send money for skates.”

Down the hall the shower turns on, and I shift toward the sound. “You’ll send it today?” Mom asks.

“Yeah, sure.” I walk back to the kitchen to get my own water.

“You might want to throw in a couple extra thousand. The kids will need school supplies and things too, and Aunt Ester could use a few things.”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “Pre-season starts in a couple weeks,” I say, for lack of anything else.

“You’re keeping yourself fit and healthy.” Her tone holds accusation, and I stand up a bit straighter.

“Of course.”

“You know you can’t afford to slack off, b’y. I put everything into your career.”

Actually, I put everything into my career. The work, the time, the sacrifices… Dad’s death paid for it, sure, but I’d rather have him alive. “Yeah.”

“I’ll be checking my account, then.”

Her words hold closure, signifying the end of our conversation. “Okay, bye.” I toss my phone onto the counter, the knot in my stomach tightening. I stand there for a second, taking a couple of deep breaths, until the sound of water running draws me toward it.

I walk down the hall, tearing my T-shirt off as I go. I’m not going to fuck Melanie again. I just want to hold her tight. The room is steamy when I enter, and since I don’t want to scare her, I call out to her.

“Need a hand?”

The glass door slides open and she peeks out. “What about my studying?”

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