Page 34 of Some Nights

10

Jax

“You don’t need to send us that much money, Jackson. You need it for your house.”

I smile. Because what I sent her is only three hundred bucks. Something that shouldn't put a dent on my budget or hers. And she and Aunt Iris need it. Their Social Security checks put together cover all their expenses but don’t stretch to the repairs I can’t make in their house.

“It's just a little money, Mom. The house is doing fine. I'm starting on the kitchen this week. Oh, by the way, I'll be there next weekend to cut the grass.”

“You work too much. You need to go out and have fun, instead of worrying about two old ladies.”

“Hey, those are my beautiful ladies you're talking about. I need to get in there before the sly Mr. Robertson comes in with all his old man swag to play hero. If I’m not careful, you’ll give him my 7-Up pound cake.”

She laughs. “Your aunt makes that cake for you. Her suitor gets only a small piece. Speaking of, what are you doing this weekend?”

“I work at the bar tonight and I’m working on the house the rest of the weekend.”

I’m not about to tell her that I’m also having dinner with Saona.

“You work too much, Jackson. Young men have needs. Don’t want you to get the blue balls.”

I suck in so much air I end up choking and coughing. I want to die right now. “Jesus, Mom.”

“It’s the truth. I read about it inCosmopolitan. You really don’t want the blood to stay pooled in there and I haven’t heard you talk about going out sincethat girl.”

That girl,said between clenched teeth,was my mom’s special name for Josie. She had never liked her, ever since she came to visit and turned up her nose at Aunt Iris’ cake and examined their house, as my mom put it, like she was smelling dog poop but was too polite to say it. But I’m more disturbed by the talk of blue balls.

“Mom, please stay out of my testicles.”

“The article says it’s painful, Jackson.”

Jesus H… “For your information, I’m going out with a woman tonight.”

“Oh.” And the way she says the word is so Mom. It packs surprise, delight, and underlying hope. “Who is she? She’s not likethat girl, is she? Is she a good girl?”

My thoughts cloud with Saona crawling up my body to sit on my face and the segue swivel into a sixty-nine and my hands tighten around the steering wheel. “She’s a good girl.”

Really good at fucking me.

“Not too good, I hope, so you don’t get bored and turn to the drunken tarts that come to your job.”

How is this a real conversation? I take the downtown exit and try to get off the phone. “I have to go now, I’m about to pick her up. I’ll see you next weekend. Give a hug to Aunt Iris.”

“Okay, hon. We look forward to hearing all about your date with…what did you say her name is?”

“I didn’t.”

“What is it, then, Jackson?”

I sigh. It’s futile. “It’s Saona.”

“I never heard that before.”

“It’s an island from her country. Her family is from the Dominican Republic.”

“Latina. Iris, Jackson’s dating a hot Latina,” she yells out.

“Goodbye, Mom.”

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