Page 81 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Are you okay, Mother?”
She smiles and turns to Casey.
“Thank you, Casey.That’s very kind.”
“You’re welcome.This is my dad, Luke.”
While our parents exchange pleasantries, she turns to mewith a helpless shrug.Before I can ask what’s wrong, she shakes her head andtakes her father’s arm.Mother doesn’t look too good.I guess I did push hertoo hard.
“Dad, maybe you should take her home.”
“I will.I’ll be seeing you around, Casey.”
“Good-bye,” she answers with a wave.
Dad gives me a “be prepared for the storm” look, shakesLuke’s hand, and leads Mother away.When Hurricane Helena gets on the warpath,there’s always hell to pay.She’ll be livid when she realizes what I did.Thistime, I don’t care, so too bad for her.Casey laces her fingers through mineand tugs on my hand.
“Let’s go home.”
“Why don’t you go on?I need to call Charlie, but I’ll meetyou at the truck.”
“Okay.”
Once she’s a safe distance away, I dial Charlie’s number.
“Well, well,” he answers.“If it isn’t half of the couple ofthe night.”
“You saw that, huh?”
“Saw it?You know you just put a huge neon sign on herforehead, right?”
“That’s why I’m calling.I need two men on her at all times,except when I’m with her, of course.Covertly.They are not to approach unlessshe’s in trouble.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks, Charlie.”
“No prob, boss.”
***Casey***
A gentle breeze, leaves rustling on the trees, birdssinging, his even breathing and strong, steady heartbeat.I could stay likethis forever.His fingers slide slowly up and down my arm, and I settle furtherinto his embrace.Yup… It’s mighty cozy on my back porch swing.J.Holiday’s “It’sYours” is on repeat in my head for some reason.No, I know exactly why.I brieflylook up at him, and he drops a kiss on my forehead.Iamhis.
I didn’t understand his mother’s reaction to me.Was it me,or is she that way with all his girlfriends?
“Your mother doesn’t like me.”
“Why would you say that?”he asks.
“I’m not blind.I saw her face today, and I also saw thelook you gave her.”
“She doesn’t know you.”
“But she’s already made up her mind not to like me.”
“She will.”
“At least you were right about your dad.”
