Page 27 of Asher's Answer
“So, how much money do you need?” Mom jokes. “Or do we finally need to bail you out of jail?”
“You’re hilarious, Mom,” I deadpan and lean back in my desk chair at the station. I’ve finished my shift, but I wanted to have this conversation where Ash couldn’t hear. Not because I have anything to hide from him, but because it’s a private moment for me. “How’s that career in stand-up comedy working out for you?”
“Getting defensive?” She teases back. We honestly could do this all day. She snickers. “Oh, I know, this is finally the ‘oops, my girlfriend is pregnant’ call! Tell me, how far along is she?”
I don’t miss a beat, not taking the bait and instead turning it on her, “Just wait; Axel’s gonna give you that call one day for sure.”
Her gasp is dramatic, and I can imagine her pressing her hand to her chest, clutching at imaginary pearls. My mom’s a bit of a drama queen. “You wash your mouth out with soap. My baby’s a responsible boy.”
I can’t resist. “…For now.” He’s only eighteen. He’s got time to prove her wrong.
“I’ll tell him that his big brother has zero faith in him.”
“Oh, don’t worry; I text him that on a daily basis. Gotta keep his ego in check.”
We both know that’s a lie. I adore my youngest sibling. Mom’s right: he can do no wrong.
“You’re a terror,” she accuses with another laugh. “Now, are you actually going to tell your poor, old mother why you called out of the blue, or do I have to keep guessing?”
I take a steadying breath, allowing the din of the station to fade into the background. Phones ringing, people talking, the guy at the desk to my left slurping his sludgy station brew coffee…it all ceases to exist. “I’m in love, Mom. His name’s Asher, we’ve been together for a few months…and I’m crazy about him.”
It feels so good to say it out loud. Especially to my mother. I joke about how insane she makes me, but she’s honestly the person whose opinion matters most to me. Growing up, she was my rock. Keeping Ash from her, and from the rest of my family, feels wrong on so many levels.
I know I should have said something earlier, but there was a part of me that worried it might not work out…and then life got busy, and I didn’t prioritize telling them. That makes me feel guilty. But, to be fair, I’ve never done this before. I’ve never been serious enough with anyone to feel like I needed to tell them. Is four months too late? Not early enough?
What’s done is done now, but…maybe I should have called sooner.
In the silence that follows my blurted confession, I check the screen of my phone to make sure the call is still connected. Then I start to get anxious. “Mom?”
“Oh, Charlie,” she sniffles, which takes me completely by surprise. “I’m so happy for you.”
Relief sweeps through me and my shoulders sag.
Then the torrent of questions comes down the line. Mom’s voice escalates in pitch and speed as her excitement ramps up. “When can we meet him? Dinner tonight? Tomorrow? You can bring him over and I’ll take care of everything. What’s his favorite food? Does he have any allergies?”
Mid-way through her stream-of-consciousness style interrogation, I try to interrupt. “Mom…”
She steamrolls right over me. “Oh, would it be easier for your dad and I to come to you? You’re probably tired from working so hard. Asher, that’s such a sweet name. Tell me everything about him.”
“Mom…”
“Is he younger than you? You’ve always liked them a bit younger, haven’t you? Not that that’s a problem. As long as you’re both consenting adults and you’re being safe, you know Dad and I won’t judge you-”
“Jesus Christ, Mom.” I facepalm and wonder why I decided to make this call in public. I know that nobody else can hear her, but I’m limited by how I can respond. “Stop. Just…stop.”
I can understand her enthusiasm, though. This is the first time since high school that I’ve directly told her about one of my relationships. She’s bound to know how serious it is for that reason alone. Additionally, she’s only ever wanted her kids to be as disgustingly happy as she and Dad are. The funny thing is, I think Ash and I are, and I can see us staying that way. I’ve never thought that before. Not about my previous relationships, I mean. But with Ash, I can imagine forever with him. It should scare me, but it doesn’t.
To be honest, it thrills me that my mom is as excited about my news as I am, even if I don’t ramble on like a crazy person.
Not out loud, anyway.
“You’re going to introduce us soon, right?”
“Of course, but…”
“But?! I know you’re not ashamed of your mother, Charles Franklin Walker.” I can picture her narrowing her eyes at me, and it makes me squirm even though she’s a forty-five-minute drive away.
“Oh, I got the full name treatment,” I try to sidestep, not having thought this entire plan through. Because of course Mom’s not going to just accept the news that I’ve fallen in love without demanding to meet Ash instantly.
