Page 65 of Red Zone Realizations
“I’m sure he is.”
“All the football lessons are how he shows he cares.”
“Mom, it’s fine. I’m fine. You’re fine. Everything is fine. No reason to keep rehashing it on the phone.”
“I wish you two would have a more understanding relationship.”
“We have the exact relationship that he wants us to have.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He called me the other week after my fight on the field to scold me about it, but I don’t have any missed calls on my phone fromhimafter getting hurt. Just you.”
There’s a long pause. “I’ll say something to him.”
“Thank you.”
“You know that we both love you very much.”
“I do. I love you, too, Mom. Talk to you later. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
It’s not long until Audrey gets in my car. She still hasn’t said anything, and neither have I. I don’t want to saysomething to steer her away from the conversation with her sister if she wants to talk about it. If she wants to sit in silence and soak it all in, we can do that too. I noticed she came out empty-handed and knew she wouldn’t think to get a drink. I back the car out of the parking spot I’ve been in and circle us around to the drive-thru. May as well, we’re already here.
Silence floats around us in the car like big, billowy clouds. I’m a little worried she didn’t say anything to Sarah. That she went in there and couldn’t find her courage. Maybe I should have insisted on going in with her. I reach over and take her hand because I think she needs the physical touch to bring her head out of the clouds.
“So…” she starts.
“So…” I echo.
“I told her there’s no more money; there’s no more secrets between me and you. I hope that also means no more secrets between me and her as well.”
“What did she say?”
“I think she’s still hurt by Tyler’s infidelity. It’s going to take some time for her to move on from that. I also think she’s a little jealous of the freedom that I have now that she’s a single mom, and wanted to trap me like she might feel trapped at times. Misery loves company and all that.” Quiet falls over us again, blanketing like soft snow. “I also think she was surprised I spoke to her like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I come first and what I want is more important.” A tear slips from her eye, and I can’t help but wipe it away. She looks at me, eyes a soft liquid brown.
Relief floods through me, at least partially. I didn’t need to worry about her. She had everything handled. I gently kiss hernose. “I’m proud of you, baby.” And there’s this moment of silence filled with overwhelming peace between us.
So when a voice comes through the drive-thru box, we both jump sky high. “What can I get started for you today?” Audrey puts her hand over her heart. We look at one another and burst into laughter.
Chapter Thirty-Four
AUDREY
OCTOBER
“Thanks, Davide!” I call as I step out of the black Town Car. I turn back to grab my purse off the bench. “I’m really glad your mom is feeling better.” Two weeks ago, when Davide dropped me off at the game, she was battling bronchitis. “It’s so wonderful that she’s on the mend just in time for the holidays.”
He tips his hat, which I don’t think he sees as a cliché for a driver, but it definitely is. In his suit and his shiny shoes, he fits the classic driver look. “Thank you, Miss Audrey.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that Audrey is fine?”
“I simply couldn’t.” He waves the suggestion away.
