Page 80 of The Soul Never Forgets

My mother glances back and forth between us. “And what should I call him besides Jude Wescott? Your new acquaintance? A boyfriend?”

I look at Dawsey. “You know what? I’m just going to tell her and get it over with since she asked.”

“As you wish, my love.”

My mother’s eyes widen at his use of his endearment for me.

“Mother, he is my fiancé. Or he will be soon. It isn’t official yet, but we’ve decided to get married.”

“Get married?” She laughs. “This is the first that I’ve heard of him. How long could you have possibly known each other?”

There’s no way I’m telling her we’ve known each other for two weeks and two days. “Long enough to be certain that we are meant to be together.”

My mom leans close to me, lowering her voice but not low enough to keep her words from reaching Dawsey’s ears. “Are you really going to make me tell him about you?”

This is the point where she usually baits my boyfriend into wondering what she’s talking about. But it’s not going to work this time.

I gesture to Dawsey. “Tell him whatever you like, Mother.”

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but my daughter isn’t well… in the head I mean.”

“Caroline has told me everything about her mental health history, and she seems quite well to me.”

“When you sayeverything,what exactly does that include?”

“I know about the voices and visions that began when she was four years old. I’m aware of how many doctors she’s seen and what she has battled over the years.”

Oh dearest Mother, Dawsey knows that you’ve been the one destroying my life instead of acting as my champion. He will not be fooled by your pretty lies like so many others.

“I’m not sure my daughter has explained the severity of hercondition.”

My mother hasn’t even ordered her drink yet, and she’s already preparing to tell Dawsey about me. This is a new record. She usually at least waits until the entrée is served.

I bet she’s on the verge of orgasming. She must be because doing this to me gets her off.

“Caroline has been very clear about the diagnosis assigned to her by the doctors she’s seen in the past.”

“Are you referring to her severe case of schizophrenia? Because that’s what she has.”

“When I say that I know everything, I mean that I know everything. Every. Little. Thing.”

“You’re aware and yet you’re still with my daughter?”

“Damn right I’m still with her.”

“But why? What’s your angle? What do you hope to gain?”

“Her love. That’s all I ever want from her.”

Mother looks at me and then back at him. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Why do you think I’m with Cara?”

“Cara,” she scoffs. “Mr. Wescott, you’re after her because she has a successful business, and you think you’ll get to her money.”

“I’m happy Caroline has a successful business, but I’m not in need of her money. I have plenty of my own.”

“So you say.”

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