Page 88 of A Real Goode Time
“Well, I’m just here for a quick change of clothes. I had a client meeting this morning and then I showed a house we just finished remodeling, and now I’m getting changed and I’m gonna go find the crew.”
I laughed. “Thecrew?”
She shook her head. “Torie, my love, you have no idea what you’re about to be introduced to. We use a lot of words to describe ourselves—crew, tribe, clan, those are the most common. But, in the end, they all mean the same thing—family.” She squeezed my arm, giddy and excited. “And now you’re here! Holy hell, I’m so happy.”
I blinked in shock. “Mom…you just…swore.”
She cackled. “Oh my, wait until you meet my Lucas. He’s changed me, and for the better, but if you’re not used to the new me, he can be a bit of a shock to the system.”
That was an odd statement that I had no way of understanding, so I didn’t bother trying.
I stepped back and looked Mom over—she’d put on weight, and it suited her, filling out her hips and bust, the way a little extra would on me. She was…lighter, brighter, happier. A spark of joy burned in her eyes, and I realized that for years leading up to Dad’s death, and in the months after, that spark had faded and died. It was back now, and brighter than ever.
“You lookamazing, Mom,” I said.
She curtsied, which looked funny as she was wearing a power pantsuit. “Thank you, my dear. It’s amazing what healthy eating, an active lifestyle, someone to love you, and a whole hell of a lot of great sex can do for a person.”
You could have knocked me over with a feather. “MOM!”
She just cackled. “I told you, baby girl, I’m not the Momma you knew when I left New Haven.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you refer to sex and yourself in the same sentence in my life,” I said, still reeling.
She patted me on the shoulder. “You’ll get used to it. Now, you two just set your bags here while I get changed. There’s a shower in the guest room, if you want to rinse off real quick.
“God, honestly, a shower sounds incredible,” I said. “I haven’t had one since Connecticut.”
And, considering some of the things that had gone on since then, I felt a little…crusty.
Rhys nodded. “I wouldn’t mind one myself, if there’s time.”
Mom eyed us. “Well, there’s certainly no rush.” She chewed on her lip a moment, her eyes going between Rhys and me. “Do I, uh, need to turn on music?”
I realized what she was getting at, and boggled yet again. “Mom! Oh my god, no. We’re takingseparateshowers. It’s not like that.” I sighed. “I mean, it is, but it’s not. You know what? It’s fucking complicated, okay? But no, we’re not…no.”
She shrugged, and didn’t even address my F-bomb. “You’re adults. But regardless, take your time. I’ll get changed and then I have a few emails to take care of before I go play hooky for the day.” She led the way down the hall and gestured into the guest room. “There’s shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, all the good stuff. Take your time, and make yourself at home, honey. And if you need anything, just let me know. I bet you’re famished, but there’ll be plenty of everything at the party.”
She kissed me on the cheek again, and then went into her room and closed the door. And despite the conversation, music started playing—Lexie and Myles, it sounded like. Loud enough to drown out just about anything.
I went into the guest room and looked around, Rhys with me.
Our hands were still joined, fingers twined, like we’d always been this way. No wonder Mom assumed we were together.
“Your mom is the fuckin’ coolest,” he said. “For real.”
I laughed. “You know, I always loved Mom, I mean, she’s my mom and she’s great, but I never really saw her as…cool, or uncool. She was just…Mom. I wasn’t embarrassed by her, but I didn’t think I had, like, a cool mom.” I gestured in the direction of her room. “That? That’s someone I’ve never met before, in Mom’s body. She’s cool, she’s…casual, confident, funny. I don’t know. It’s weird, seeing her like that, after so long apart.” I sighed. “She seems happier than I’ve ever seen her, though.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Rhys asked.
I sat down on the end of the bed, and Rhys sat beside me. “Yes. But…god, it’s weird. It’s bringing up a lot of other stuff. Like, if she’s this happy now, how unhappy was she before? With Dad? She’s a whole new person.”
He squeezed my leg. “I think, maybe, that’s a conversation you and her should have together. I don’t think you need to try and figure it out right now.” He smiled, comforting, easy. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll go hang out in the living room.”
I snorted. “Rhys, at this point, regardless of what happens between us, I don’t see any point in shyness.”
“I mean, I don’t want to assume anything.”
“I appreciate that.” I had so much to say, so much I wanted.