Page 21 of Forbidden Secrets
His phone vibrated.He glanced down.A text from his mother.
LifeGiver:Hi, my boy.??????Stu and I are planning a cross-country road trip in his RV as soon as the weather warms in the spring.First leg is the Pacific Northwest.Would you and Pancake join us for a few days?The RV sleeps six, so there’s room.I miss you.
His mom deserved to be happy.God knew she’d had enough years when she wasn’t.
Gage had been a kid when his dad died in a head-on collision with an asshole who’d been taking the edge off his day with a few nips of vodka.In the twisted way fate worked, the drunk had walked away.Steven Landry hadn’t.
A decade later, grief had come for them again.His sister Janie, funny and brave, lost her fight with cancer.Gage had been afraid his mom would simply fade away from heartache until she completely disappeared.
But Judy Landry had clawed her way back.Bit by bit.
She bought her little house in Oakland, planted flowers she fussed over, had even gotten an orange kitten she named Samson.And then a year ago, she met Stuart.A retired lineman for the electric company, he was a solid guy and treated her right.
Gage liked him well enough.Even if he’d pulled a background check first.The DUI from thirty years back had pissed him off.But Stuart owned it.Said he told Judy up front and swore he hadn’t touched a drink since.Gage believed him.
They’d had a small courthouse wedding.Now they acted like they’d won the damn lottery.
Judy even got along with Stu’s daughter, and now had grandkids who called her “Mimi.”
Gage was glad she was happy.Truly.Still, it was strange.His mom with a whole new family that didn’t include him.She tried to make space for him.But he couldn’t help feeling like the odd man out.
He typed a reply:
Gage:Let me know when you’re leaving and I’ll arrange my schedule.
A moment later:
LifeGiver:Good!Do you remember I told you about Stacy who does my hair and how her cousin’s daughter lives in Sisters?
Gage:No.
LifeGiver:Stacy told her about you and that you’re single.She wants to meet you.
Gage:No way in hell.
LifeGiver:You might like her.She’s a yoga instructor.I hear they’re very bendy.
Gage:STOP.Don’t say things like that.
LifeGiver:Don’t be a prude.She thinks your little town has vortexes or swirling centers of energy or something equally woo-woo.I know that’s not your thing, but Stacy says she’s sweet as can be.
Gage:That’s horrifying.For the love of god, don’t try to set me up with a woo-woo yoga teacher.Or anyone.Ever.
LifeGiver:You need someone who makes you happy like Stuart makes me happy.
Across the room, Melanie sipped her wine while Bradford talked nonstop.Didn’t take a psych degree to see she was bored.
He could tell his mom he was interested in someone.
It might not even be a lie.
He dismissed the idea almost as soon as it formed.Even protection from woo-woo yoga teachers wasn’t worth the fallout that would follow.
Gage:I’m fine.Glad you’re happy.
LifeGiver:Gotta go.My show’s on.It’s a reality show about cousins who marry.Love you!??????
Gage:Love you back.
