Page 76 of Antagonist

The decision to bring him to my parents was the right one. They were wild parents, but I couldn’t ask for a better set of grandparents for my son. I just hope he’s charging a fair price for his lawn care services.

I’m sure I’ll know soon enough when my dad jokes about inflation and the price of labor.

“Mommy!”

George sees us and abandons his work, running into his mother’s arms.

“Oh my gosh, baby. You’re so tall,” Fran says.

They hold each other for a long time, and my heart melts for both of them. I really wish Fran was home more. Maybe this Boston gig could become permanent.

Even if she was in the city, she’d be close enough that she could see George more.

My mom comes out when she hears our voices.

“Oh my, what a lovely surprise. Fran, dear, we didn’t know you were coming. Never mind, I can whip up some muffins. You still like those blueberry ones, right?”

Fran doesn’t let go of George while she gives my mom a one-armed hug.

My dad gives me a hopeful look, but I nip it straight in the bud, shaking my head.

For two people who had such a colorful life, my parents are weirdly traditional when it comes to family values, and while they wouldn’t mind if I was with a guy, they certainly would prefer that I don’t raise my child mostly alone.

We all head inside. Mom gets busy in the kitchen while Dad finishes off the lawn. The bag of leaves stays abandoned in the backyard because George is busy catching his mom up with all his news.

I leave them in the living room and go to the kitchen.

“Hey, sweetheart. That was some surprise,” she says.

“Yeah.”

She starts breaking up the eggs for the muffins in a bowl. I sit at the kitchen table, watching her like I did when I was a kid.

“How was your weekend? Had fun?”

I smile. Friday night feels like a lifetime ago. Hell, this morning feels like a lifetime ago.

“I know that look, sweetheart.”

“What look?”

She gives me herdon’t bullshit your mothereyebrow raise. “When you met Fran, you came home with that same expression.”

“And look how well that turned out.”

I glance at my phone. There are no messages from Harrison. Not that I expected him to text me. He was clear about seeing me at the next meeting for the Spring Fair.

“I guess Fran turning up has thrown things off for you,” Mom says.

“It shouldn’t, Mom. We’re not together. I can see whomever I want.” I run my hands through my hair. “Harrison was dropping me off at home when she came up to us. Let’s just say it’s not the end of the weekend I was hoping for.”

“I bet. What are you going to do about it?”

I shake my head. If only I knew.

“George is my priority, Mom. I need to make sure this visit doesn’t end up hurting him more when she leaves again.”

My mom gives me a sympathetic look.