Page 57 of Only You and Me

I busy myself putting the flowers in a pretty vase I picked up for her and add water, then pull out the pots and pans I need for dinner. When my gaze falls to the countertop, I can’t help but remember last night, and I smile. Thank God neither of us acted awkward this morning, because Christ, I have missed her body all these years. I’m praying there’s more in store for us in that department.

I’m not saying I’ve been a saint since we’ve been apart. But physical intimacy was usually the thing that killed any relationship I tried to have. Sex with anyone else inevitably was a disappointment compared to what it was like being with Trina. That and the fact that I couldn’t bring myself to kiss another woman—anywhere—because they weren’t her. That didn’t go over well with anyone I tried to date.

When I’ve put on my apron, I season the pork chops and let them sit for a few minutes while I slice potatoes and carrots for roasted vegetables. Since I like to let it simmer, I start the homemade gravy that goes over the chops, but when I’m about halfway through, I’m sure I’ve forgotten an ingredient. I wrack my brain but can’t think of it to save my life. I want this meal to be perfect, so I call the expert—my mom.

When she answers, I get right to business since I’m hoping to have everything ready for when Trina arrives home.

“Hey, Ma. I need help. Cooking help.”

“Okay. Perfect timing. Trina just dropped me off. What do you need?”

“I’m making your pork gravy, and I think I’m forgetting a key step.”

“Walk me through what you’ve done, and we’ll see what’s missing.”

It only takes me about fifteen seconds into telling her what I did before I feel like an idiot. “Oops. Never mind. I forgot that I have to pan sear the pork chops before they go in the oven and use those drippings.”

“Uh oh,” Mom says in a teasing tone. “Looks like someone might need to come back to cooking classes.” The joy is palpable in her voice. “You were my best student, so I won’t even charge you for a refresher class.”

I quickly put some oil in the pan and start working on the chops so I can get them in the oven and finish the gravy.

“I’m pretty sure I was your only student.” I laugh. “Plus, I wouldn’t mind coming back. Those are some of my favorite memories. Maybe we need to do a baking version next. I’m still shit at desserts.”

“First of all, watch your language.”

I can’t help but smirk that I’m thirty years old and my mom is still scolding me about my language.

“And second, you can come over anytime to learn how to bake. I had a blast teaching you. Speaking of baking, I had the best pie after the plarning group I went to with Trina today.”

“Let me guess, she took you to that little restaurant and she got the key lime pie, didn’t she?”

“Yes! I’m not usually a fan of key lime, but I took a bite of hers and it was pretty good. I got the cherry though. It was amazing. I bought a whole blueberry and a strawberry cream cheese one for family dinner tomorrow. Darren had the blueberry, and it looked so good I couldn’t resist.”

What the fuck?

“Darren? From plarning?” I strive to keep my voice even, but my insides are shaking with… with either jealousy or anger. Or maybe both.

“Yep. He and his grandmother joined us for lunch. Though I think I would have enjoyed it better if it were just me and Trina. I really like her, you know.” I smile at the affection that radiates through my mom’s voice when she talks about Trina.

I probably should get off the phone and focus on cooking, but I can’t seem to tell my mom that when I’m dying to know more about their lunch. I stay on the phone and multi-task, putting the chops and vegetables in the oven and working on the gravy.

I won’t pry, but I can’t say I’m not immensely disappointed that Trina would choose to have lunch with an ex while married to me, regardless of how our marriage came about. I guess I know what her answer to my sixty-day request is going to be, though.

“Well, if Trina wanted them there and invited them, I guess you didn’t have a choice, Ma.”

“Oh. Trina didn’t invite them. Darren invited himself, and I suspect he dragged his grandmother along. They were both very thirsty, if you ask me.”

“Thirsty? What does them being thirsty have anything to do with them needing to go to lunch with you? They could have gotten something to drink anywhere.”

At that, my mom bellows out a hearty laugh, and she takes several long seconds to stop laughing long enough to talk. “Ben, you’re getting to be such an old man. I don’t mean thirsty like they needed something to drink. I mean thirsty in that they both spent most of lunch trying to convince Trina to go on more dates with Darren. Don’t you know your slang?”

I’m torn between anger that Darren did that and amusement that my mom actually knows the slang meaning of the word ‘thirsty.’

“I guess not, Mom. Maybe when I come over for baking lessons, you can catch me up on what all the kids are saying these days.” I can’t help but chuckle out loud.

My mom’s amazing and I’m glad Trina got some time with her today. Especially since her own parents were so shitty to her and they don’t really have much of a relationship these days.

“Anyway, Trina was polite but when it got to the point it was ridiculous, she put them in their place and told them she makes her own decisions. When Darren made the excuse that she was hard to get over, she said, ‘It was three dates. You’ll be fine.’ So, you have nothing to worry about.”

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