Page 78 of Seven Days in June

“Mr. Hall, I’m sorry. That was rude,” Audre allowed. “But, Mom, you’re being a hypocrite! You went crazy on Coco-Jean’s brother when you thought we were being inappropriate. As if I’d crush on a client.”

“A client?” asked Shane, surprised. “What services do you provide?”

“And nowIcan’t react whenyou’reinappropriate?”

“I’m. Your. Mother.” Eva clapped with each word, for emphasis. “I’msupposedto interrogate sixteen-year-olds consorting with my twelve-year-old. It’s mybusiness. But even if I did trade sexual favors to keep you in school, it’s none of yours.”

“But you didn’t,” said Shane.

“Of course I didn’t.” Eva grabbed Audre’s hand. “How’d you even dream up such a tacky idea? Is this ’cause I let you watchEmpire? Honestly, sweetie. Can you see me doing this?”

Audre glanced at Shane and then back at her mom.

“I guess not,” she said, with weary acceptance. “No. I guess I’m doing the most. But imagine my confusion! You tell me you’re not dating. And the next day, you’re booed up with some guy—a guy whose help you need. It didn’t add up. Until you said you’d doanythingto keep me in school.”

Shane nodded. “Reasonable conclusion.”

“The only thing happening in those photos,” said Eva, “was two old friends catching up.”

“Good friends,” added Shane, who had thought he’d be far more articulate and helpful during this conversation but was tongue-tied in the presence of Eva and her dynamo baby, who had the energy of a great auntie judging neighborhood antics from her front porch. It was fascinating, seeing his Eva this way. A mother!

It had been decades since he’d spent time with a family. He was dazzled.

Meanwhile, Audre had propped her chin in her hand, eyes darting from Shane to her mom and back again. Her indignation was slowly turning into curiosity.

“So how come you’ve never mentioned Shane before?” asked Audre. “And in which city did you go to high school together? I know you moved a lot for Grandma’s modeling jobs.”

Grandma’s modeling jobs.Eva cringed, hearing Audre saying this in front of Shane. He knew better.

“It was a school in DC. I lived there my senior year. It was a long time ago, sweetie.” Eva got up and went to the counter, grabbing a banana. “Whew. I’m glad we settled that! Is anyone hungry? I have Toaster Strudel!”

“Mr. Hall, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions,” said Audre. “This was a lot for me. Mommy never hangs out with heterosexual men.”

“Not true,” said Eva, her mouth full of banana. “Heterosexual men love me.”

Audre spun around to face her. “Why haven’t you spoken since high school?”

“I’ve been busy with you, Audre. And Shane is always on the road.”

“But you’ve never mentioned knowing him.”

Audre said “him” like Shane didn’t have an actual name and wasn’t sitting right in front of her. Shane was being back-burnered, but he didn’t mind. He was just thrilled to be in Eva and Audre’s orbit.

“I just…Like I said, we moved a lot,” sputtered Eva. “My memories are a blur.”

HELP ME, she mouthed to Shane, behind Audre’s head.

He cleared his throat, and without really thinking, he called upon his only superpower. He told a story.

“You know what, Audre? Me and your mom’s friendship is hard to quantify in linear terms.”

Linear terms, thought Eva, impressed.I’m fascinated to see where this goes.

“This isn’t going to seem relevant, but years ago, I had a pet turtle. I was living in this little shack in Popoyo, a surfing town in Nicaragua. No one locks doors or anything. One morning, I woke up and there was a massive turtle in my bed.”

“How is that sanitary?” asked Eva.

“Shhh, Mom,” said Audre.

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