Page 8 of Wes
Wes: Good morning, beautiful!
I smile. Really, who wouldn’t? I can’t remember dating a man who ever sent me a “good morning, beautiful” text or called to say it. Not that we’re dating. My face warms with delight, and when I face Jeremy, I find him watching me.
His head cocks to the side, his eyes curious but soft and his body relaxed. “You like him.”
“I don’t know him,” I reply and set my phone down. Returning to the fridge, I note the butterflies in my stomach.
“But you gave him your number?”
I shrug. Lying—outside of Santa and the Tooth Fairy—is one thing I’ve refused to do with Jeremy. Maintaining an open line of communication in our relationship has always been a priority. It doesn’t mean this isn’t super awkward. Jeremy’s met two men I’ve dated in his almost fifteen years.
“I did.”
“Mom, you haven’t dated anyone that I know of since I was nine. What’s different about this guy?”
“Jer, I’ve dated…” Thinking back, I realize he’s right. The last man he met was Ben, and Jeremy was eight. After Ben, I met Pete for a couple dinner movie dates, but there’s been no one since then. “Wow, I didn’t realize it’s been so long,” I mutter to myself.
“Mom, I love you! You’re funny, pretty, and kind. I worry you’re going to be alone,” he whispers, and I note the slump in his shoulders.
“Baby, no. I’ll never be alone, I have you.” Putting my arms around his waist, I hold him tight. Memories of when he used to fit his head against my chest, unlike now that he’s grown so much, flit through my mind.
“I’m going to move out—”
“Excuse me?” I say and lean back to look at him.
“One day, I’m going to move out.”
I raise my brow at him. “You can’t even drive. Why are you talking about moving out?”
“Ma, I’ll be leaving for college in four years. That’s less than these last seven years you’ve not dated. It’s going to go by fast. Isn’t that what you always say? When it’s time to go, I want to know you won’t be lonely.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I wrap my arms around him. “Oh, baby, I won’t be lonely,” I say and realize it’s the first time I’ve lied to my son.
