Page 110 of Ripped & Shipped
So, to make matters worse—hang with me here—as soon as Chris’ mom broke things off with my dad before Christmas their senior year, Chris’ dad made his move.
My mom had always had a giant crush on my dad, but of course, he had been seriously committed to Chris’ mom. So, when the breakup happened in high school, my mom brought on the flirt (yes, I came by that talent honestly). And my dad fell for her efforts. He probably didn’t actually fall forher, in retrospect.
So, if you’re following the soap opera that is my family history, we’ve got Chris’ mom being loved by two men, and my mom being the consolation prize for my dad, who still pined away for Chris’ mom. He probably still pines away for her to this day.
It’s pathetic, but I can’t hold it against him. My dad fell in love. He lost the one woman he wanted. He tried to make it work with his second choice. He left us when he realized a marriage to a woman you don’t really love isn’t something that works long-term.
I’m a symbol of his lack of backbone, or something like that. He’s pleasant to me, like some uncle you never met, but when you finally meet, you realize you’re related. But he’s not a dad in any real meaning of the word. Thankfully, in my line of work, I rarely need to pick up a nut and bolt, so I can stay out of his way for the most part.
Fast forward to four years after our parents graduated from high school. Chris’ parents had gone away to college—together. Mine did not. My parents stayed here and dated. Dad worked at his dad’s hardware store until he moved up to managing, and then owning the shop. Maybe it was a case of loneliness, or just doing what was easy at the time, but Dad never let go of Mom when he should have.
Chris’ parents came home after college and promptly got married. The St. James’ wedding sealed the deal. Mrs. St. James was officially off the market for life. So, my dad, being the romantic that he is, proposed to Mom. They were married six months later.
“I can recite the rest of your love life by heart,” I remind Mom. “And it’s got nothing to do with me.”
It’s taken years to realize that. This town, as sweet as it can be, is also brutal when there’s any sign of a feud. People pick sides. The rumor mill flows like the Mad River in spring after a snow melt. No one cares too deeply about the truth. And no one acknowledges that in all disputes, every side is at least partially right.
Upshot? My mom has been viewed as pitiable. My dad has been labeled as a homewrecker. And the St. James and Lindstrom families do not mix—at all. Not until that handsome soldier waltzed into the Big Boy and saved my hide by being on that live with me. And now—so much more. I’m not sure what, but I’ve got some big feelings where the Big Boy is concerned. I haven’t even had time to sort through all of that yet.
My mom sighs again. She looks weary, concerned, and beaten down. She’s not mad.
“Look, Mom. I love you. I really do. But I can’t live my life fighting your battles. I can’t help that this town is so small-minded that they never fully included you after what you went through in high school. It washigh school,for goodness sakes. If it weren’t so painful, it would be laughable.”
She lets out a laugh that sounds more like the verge of tears.
“I love you and I’m not picking the other team, or anything like that. You and I are the dynamic duo. You’ll never shake me. I’m like a bright pink, fluffy, well-dressed burr you can’t ever get out of your side.”
She smiles.
“My beautiful burr.” The words come out so softly it’s like she almost didn’t say them. “I don’t deserve you, baby girl.”
“Maybe I don’t deserve you. You’ve been my cheerleader. I wouldn’t have pushed myself to do all I’ve done without you.”
“Don’t make this sound like a farewell speech.”
“Not on your life.”
It’s not a farewell speech, but for the first time in my life, I’m drawing some lines. I’m nearly thirty. It’s taken me this long to see that certain battles aren’t mine to fight.
“Whatever happens between me and Chris needs to be between the two of us. He’s not off limits. He’s been the most kind, supportive, caring, thoughtful person to enter my life in years—maybe ever. He’s fun and he’s funny. And we get one another. There’s this ease when I’m with him. I can’t even put words to it. But he’s become very important to me. He sort of snuck in with this stealth attack, and in the process, I think he won my heart.”
I sit on the couch, stunned at the words that just flowed out of my mouth.
Mom beats me to the punchline.
“You’re in love.”
She smiles the first genuine smile of the day.
“Yeah. I think I might be.”
“Oh my goodness. You’re in love with Chris St. James.”
She doesn’t say it with anger or condemnation. She’s actually in awe. No one is as shocked as I am.
Not quite sure what I’m going to do with this revelation. One thing I’m not going to do is hash it out with my mom right now.
“So, we’re good?” I ask her.
