Page 25 of Restless
Before Mommie punched in her code, the probate on duty opened the gate and waved her in. Rolling her window down, she said, “thanks,” and drove on.
A couple minutes later, she stopped in front of the Caldwell home.
Rebel opened the door. “Harley, I know you’re hurt because you’re insecure about your place in CJ’s life. My brother adores you. If you can’t support him right now, then back off. He’s dealing with enough. Asyourfriend, your “cousin”,I’mtelling you not to make the same mistake I made just a few weeks ago. Instead of pitching a bitch fit, ask CJ how he’s doing. At the moment, his problems outweigh yours, so shut the fuck up, grow the fuck up, and take the fucking advice you gave me.” Without awaiting a response, she got out and slammed the door shut.
Tears rushed to Harley’s eyes, and she shuddered. Her phone was a looming presence filled with the evidence of CJ’s betrayal.
As Mommie started off, a gentle hand landed on Harley’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Harley,” Mattie said. “Whatever set you off is probably a misunderstanding.”
“It isn’t,” Harley spat, digging into her blazer pocket and yanking her phone out. She opened the incriminating messages. “Look.”
Mattie snatched the phone. “Oh,” she said a moment later.
“You’d go off the deep end, too,” Harley charged. “I love him, and he’s nothing but a cheater.” Her voice broke.
“Yourejectedhim,” Mattie said with annoyance. “You need to check yourself, Harley.”
“Shut up, Mattie!” she said, her voice thick and shaking. She swiped her wet cheeks. “I love him. He promised he’d wait for me. He.Promised!”
“Oh, baby,” Mommie said, her anger dying. She started past their house as Mattie returned Harley’s phone.
“I can walk home, Aunt Bailey,” Mattie said. “Your house is the halfway point to mine.”
Mommie slid the Escalade to a stop and glanced at Mattie through the rearview mirror. “Are you sure, baby?”
“Yeah. Hogzilla is probably penned for the night, so I’m good.”
“You can come inside,” Mommie offered, putting the SUV in reverse, swerving into the driveway and shifting to park. She allowed the engine to idle. “Momma is cooking red beans and rice with pickle meat and French bread.”
Mattie opened her door. “It’s too unhealthy, Aunt Bailey, but I’ll let Daddy and the boys know.”
“Tell them she also has bread pudding and rum sauce for dessert.”
“Maman loves Lolly’s desserts. I’ll tell her. If she doesn’t call, I’ll text you what she says.”
Needing an ally and seizing upon her mother’s softening, Harley handed Mommie the phone, already opened to the first photo of CJ and Molly. “Tell me I’m wrong.” She sniffled, wishing shewaswrong, but with such irrefutable proof, knew she wasn’t. “CJ and Molly are more than lab partners.”
After studying each photograph, Mommie handed Harley the phone. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve been right all along. You and Daddy ganged up on me because Aunt Meggie convinced you of CJ’s innocence.”
“You lied to us, sweetheart,” Mommie said gently. “That’s unacceptable.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry. I’ve been so hurt. I know that isn’t an excuse, but I love CJ so much and I can’t think clearly, Mommie. Thanksgiving, hepromisedhe would only spend time with Molly for their lab project and nothing more.”
“Well, obviously he lied,” Mommie agreed.
“No, CJ didn’t,” Mattie insisted.
“Shut up!” Harley snarled. “You can defend him as much as you wish. He hasn’t hurt and betrayed you, and the evidence—”
“He hasn’t done either to you,” Mattie said in exasperation. “He’s going through so much right now. Please don’t do this to him.”
“We aren’t taking away his pain, Mattie,” Mommie said briskly. From her tone, she was now solidly on Harley’s side. “That’s no excuse for his dishonesty and disrespect toward my daughter.”
“He hasn’t disrespected Harley,” Mattie argued. “Nor has he lied to her, Aunt Bailey.”
“It’s commendable that you are defending him, sweetheart, but as a young lady, put yourself in Harley’s position. You should revisit your loyalties.”
