Page 40 of Fumbled Beginning

“If I were you, I’d worry more about a broken friendship than broken taillights.”

I rolled my eyes. “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”

‘That’s what you get for making fun of my profession.”

“Whatever.” I hung up, laced my sneakers, and grabbed my earbuds off the nightstand. Maybe the fresh air would clear my head.

* * *

I was grabbing lunchmeat and veggies from the fridge when my mom’s name flashed across the screen. After running six miles, I was starving and just wanted to eat my lunch in peace.

When the phone buzzed again, I swiped the answer button. It wasn’t like I could ignore her.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, carrying everything to the table and kicking my feet up on the opposite chair. “How’s it going?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

“What are you talking about?” I asked and took a sip of my water.

“I heard you have a girlfriend.”

Water went spraying from my nose. Never again was I calling my brother for advice.

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I gritted out and threw my head back.

“But do you want this girl to be your girlfriend?”

“Mom, slow down.”

She sighed heavily into the phone. “I don’t know why you insist on this funny business. You haven’t had a relationship since Caroline. I worry about you.”

Caroline was a sensitive subject for me, so I quickly changed it. “How’s everything going in The Sunshine State?”

My mom lived in a gated community just north of West Palm Beach. After my parents divorced, she wanted a fresh start, and Florida was where she felt most at peace. After convincing my brother to put his pride aside, my mother finally allowed me to provide a house and some income so she could take care of herself. I knew I could never give her back the son she lost, so I might have been overcompensating with the house, but she deserved it.

“The weather has been beautiful. I joined a women’s golf league and we play every Wednesday afternoon. I’ve also been volunteering at the children’s hospital a few days a week, so I’m keeping busy.”

“That’s great, Mom.” I smiled at the phone. I was happy to hear that she was making friends and doing things that interested her.

“Now that the season is over, are you going to come visit me?”

I slapped a piece of cheese and turkey together and rolled it up. “I’ll look at flights today,” I said between bites. “Are you planning on attending the charity dinner next month?”

The Justin Watson Foundation was a charity I started in my brother’s name. It provided housing for families who had to travel for medical treatments. It also offered tutoring, homecooked meals, and daycare to keep families close together so they could get the care they needed. It was a cause very near and dear to my heart and one I didn’t mind supporting.

“As long as you promise to seat me and your father at separate tables.”

I swallowed quickly and reached for my water. Having my parents in the same room would be uncomfortable enough; keeping them apart would be damn near impossible.

I chuckled, feeling a little uneasy. “I’m not sure how much control I have over the seating arrangement, but I will do my best.”

This conversation was a reminder of how broken my family was. After my brother passed away, my family was never the same. My mother was drowning in grief, and my father made little effort to keep his family intact. I never forgave him for giving up on us or throwing his marriage away when things got tough. Our relationship was strained at best, but I would have to be on my best behavior. He had as much of a right to be there as I did. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this foundation. If I had to laugh at dumb jokes and rub a few elbows to raise funds for a good cause, then so be it.

“I’m sorry, that was insensitive. I don’t mean to put you in the middle. I don’t hate your father, it’s just hard seeing him with someone else.”

“It’s okay.” I felt the same way but didn’t need to add to her frustration by admitting that. She had her own issues to deal with.

“No, it’s not. They are presenting you with an award, in memory of your brother. I can put my differences aside for one night. Justin would be proud of you, son, as am I. If I have to sit next to your father and that floozy he married while you get recognized for all the good you’ve done, then that’s what I will do.”

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