Page 25 of Aug
“Don’t be. I’ll see you at eight.”
“Eight feels so far away.”
“It isn’t.”
“I know. I guess– I just really enjoy having you around. I’m almost jealous that Rome gets so much time with you.”
My jealousy was healthy and had absolutely nothing to do with my best friend. Koen was on the list as well. So was Saint.
“Work is work. But at eight, I’m all yours.”
“Attire?”
“Elegance.”
“Elegance it is,” I responded, stuffing my mouth with a piece of turkey sausage.
SEVEN
My tires cameto a screeching halt. I bolted from the SUV with my cell in my hand. A number I knew by heart lit my screen. I pressed the button at the bottom of the screen, initiating the call I’d been holding off on all day.
Dark waters surrounded me. The other side of The Pier was lively with lights strung along the ocean’s shore. This side, the dark side, overlooked the banks without the assistance of solar-powered bulbs.
“August?”
My mother’s voice lulled my rapidly beating heart.
“Yeah, Momma. It’s me.”
“Is everything alright?”
I nodded as if she could see me.
“I met a girl,” I confessed, “a woman.”
“Maybe this caller ID isn’t working. Now, you say this is August? My son? My only son? My greatest gift? My greatest blessing? My–”
Chuckling, I ran my hand down my mouth.
“Yeah. It’s me, Momma.”
“God has been in the business of miracles but– My word has he shown his true colors tonight.”
“The dramatics over yet?” I questioned, placing a foot on the log in front of me.
“Tell me about her–”
“She’s a ballerina.”
“Poised. Clean. Neat. Attention to detail. Dedicated. Talented. Consistent. Hardworking. Focused. Driven. Ballet is no easy field.”
“This is true.”
“More.”
“She makes me think. She makes me wonder. She makes me worry that I’m not where I need to be to be close to her.”
“Has she given you the impression that your current position is a problem?”
