Page 54 of Mac
"Dave.He got here last night.Said you sent him to check on me."Elyse followed her mother as the older woman headed for the kitchen.
"Oh, my son!I never get to see you anymore.You come to town and don't even come see me."Mom closed in on Dave and enfolded him in giant hug.
Elyse couldn't help but notice she hadn't gotten a hug, or much more than a demanding word.
"What's for dinner?"Mom pulled out the chair on the far side of the small table and sat down.Apparently, she was staying for dinner.
And unless something changed, Mac would be meeting her mother tonight.Elyse picked up her phone and typed out a quick message.
Please don't think I'm telling you not to come.I would love any time I can spend with you, but fair warning, my mom's just shown up and she is acting like she's staying a while.
"Why are you on your phone and ignoring me?"Mom's plaintive voice grated on Elyse's nerves.
"I was just sending someone a message letting them know about a change of plans."Elyse set the phone aside thinking maybe it was for the best.If he met Mom now, he'd back off for fear of having to put up with her more frequently than he really would.Maybe that was best, for Mac to decide this was over before she was in too deep.The thought of him breaking up with her made her want to go get into bed and pull the blankets up over her head.There, she'd be able to pick up hints of his scent on the sheets and remember the time they'd had together.
She pushed thoughts of Mac and that he would call an end to whatever this was after meeting Mom out of her head.
"What change of plans?Were you going out tonight?Partying instead of spending time with family."Mom shook her head and looked back to Dave."And she's making the guest cook too.I thought I taught her better."
"She's not making me, Mom.I volunteered.I came in late and cost Elyse a good chunk of her sleep last night.I thought it would be nice to make dinner for her.I started it before she even got home."
"I don't know why you're staying here instead of with your father and me."
Dave didn't say anything, just glanced at Elyse, meeting her gaze.She knew without his saying a word why he was staying here over there.They all did, but no one was willing to say it to their mother's face.
Mom continued to harp on Elyse giving Dave the sweet end of her tongue, until the doorbell rang again.
"He's got good timing, this is almost done," Dave said as Elyse stood.
"He who?Who did you invite to dinner with me?"
Elyse went to get the door but heard Dave talking to Mom behind her."He was invited before you showed up, without even a warning I'll remind you.And be nice."
Mom responded but Elyse didn't want to know what she said, instead she checked who was at the door this time, finding Mac on her doorstep, she opened the door, a relieved smile on her face.
"Hey,a thasgaidh,I considered leaving you to family, but I wanted to see you.Make sure you're all right."He pulled her into his arms and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead as he stepped inside taking her backwards into the room with him.She exhaled and let the tension and stress Mom brought out with the breath.
"I'm glad to see you too."She wished he'd give her a real kiss, one that would distract her from the pain in the ass in the next room, but it didn't come.
"Bring whoever that is in here to meet me."Mom's raised voice made Elyse cringe.
Still looking at Mac, she mouthed, 'I'm sorry.'Then dropped her forehead against his chest long enough for a single bracing breath before turning and tugging him along with her into the kitchen.She tried to paste on a smile but couldn't manage it.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet Mac.Mac, this is my mom."
Mom looked him up and then down again before turning to Elyse.
"What slum did you find him in, and didn't I teach you better than to bring people like that home?"
Elyse stood open mouthed.They all knew their mother was a pain in the ass and mean to them, but this was the first time Elyse had seen her act like this to a stranger.She was dumbstruck and didn't know how to react.
"Actually ma'am.I live next door.I met your daughter in the front yard."
"I'm sorry," Elyse said to Mac.
"Don't apologize for me, girl!"
Mac looked at Elyse, and she could only guess he was asking how she wanted him to react.Before she could be sure though, Dave stepped in.
