Page 53 of Crashing Into Me
MAUREEN CRADLED KIMon the couch as she wailed uncontrollably. She was starting to tire of her whining, but tried her best to comfort her anyway. Her actions as of late had become erratic, and she didn’t want to make matters worse by chastising her right this moment.
“I just don’t get it, Mrs. Capshaw. I’ve done everything you said,” Kim sobbed, sitting up to blow her nose.
Maureen handed her another tissue, and she dried her eyes.
“There, there,” she said, exasperated, “I spoke with Kayden and he understands full well why I chose you to marry him. It’s going to be OK.”
Kim looked eagerly at her now, and hope crept into her face. It was like watching someone with a lottery ticket right before they read the numbers aloud.
“What you did last night, although ambitious, was all wrong. I asked you to play it safe and be cautious, and you did the complete opposite.”
“I’m sorry. I thought if I were more assertive, he’d buckle. Nothing else worked before,” she whined.
“My son isn’t the same boy you knew three years ago, Kim. He isn’t the same man you knew a month ago. He’s changed.”
“I know. That bitch must have brainwashed him,” Kim jibed, blowing her nose on the napkin.
“As I was saying, he’s changed, and the advice I gave you was to help facilitate the new Kayden. Not the old one. Listen to me and do exactly what I tell you from now on, and you won’t have these issues in the future. Understood?”
Maureen’s face was stone cold and emotionless. Kim picked up on it quickly and nodded her head in compliance.
“I promise,” she replied.
A door closed, and the clicking of high heels was growing louder coming from the foyer. Paula breezed into the house, removed her gloves, and placed them on the kitchen counter. Maureen stood up, and so did Kim.
“Paula, what a wonderful surprise!” Maureen exclaimed, walking over to her with her arms extended. Paula gave her an air kiss, removed her shades, and placed them on the counter next.
“Hello, mother,” Paula replied, faking the best smile she could.
“How come you’re back so soon? Where’s Garrett?”
“He had business in California. How’s everything with the diner?” Paula asked, pretending to be none the wiser.
“Hi,” Kim beamed, as she wiped the last of the tears from her face. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked like Rudolph with her nose, the cherry red color it was.
“Well, everything is going great, dear! I’m so happy you’ll be here for the grand reveal tonight!” Maureen exclaimed, clapping her hands together.
Paula walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Maureen sat next to her, a huge smile on her face, waiting for Paula to say something. Kim slowly sat back down on the couch, keeping her eyes on Maureen.
“That’s excellent news, Mom. Where is Kayden?”
“Oh, he’s still upstairs, I think. He hasn’t come down yet,” Kim interjected.
“And why are you still here, Kim?” Paula quizzed.
Kim tried her best to put on a smile and brighten up her face.
“Kayden and I are getting married, remember?” she exclaimed and hopped off the couch, her arms open for a hug. Paula politely put her hand in the air and stopped her from getting any closer.
“Please don’t,” she protested.
“Pauline Capshaw—,” Maureen started.
“Mother, please,” Paula interrupted, as Kim’s face turned beet red.
Paula stood up and walked over to the fireplace.
“I don’t understand your behavior. This is your brother’s fiancée. Your soon to be sister in law, Paula.” Maureen replied, perplexed.
