Page 100 of Catching Kyle

I laugh. “Miss Beautiful?”

“Hope you’re not allergic,” Linda says from the kitchen. “She can be a real devil.”

Kyle leans into me. “She’s the sweetest thing to walk the earth,” he says. “And my ma knows it.”

I smile as I crouch down to pet Miss Beautiful. She purrs like a truck engine, nearly knocking me over as she tries to scratch her back against my leg.

“Come on,” Kyle says, walking into the kitchen.

I stand and follow him into the kitchen. Both the counter and table are covered with all different sizes of aluminum containers.

“Sheesh, Linda,” I say. “You went all out.”

“Thanksgiving’s my favorite holiday,” she says, putting on an apron. “And I still have to bake some pies. Here.” She puts out a plate of decadent looking brownies with orange goo on the top, likely caramel, and small salt flakes.

“Ma, you made these?” Kyle asks, widening his eyes. He stares down at the plate, nearly drooling. “It’s been years since I’ve had this.”

“It’s my surprise on this special occasion,” she says, looking between the both of us. “Try it!”

I pick up one of the brownies and take a generous bite. Warm caramel oozes into my mouth, and I can’t stop myself from moaning.

I put my hand on the plate. “Can I just take this whole thing home with me?”

Linda laughs. “Oh, you. I’ll make some more to take before you leave. Better eat them before you get on the plane!”

“Ma,” Kyle says as I finish up the delicious brownie. “This is so nice of you. You didn’t have to do this.”

She shrugs. “It’s not every day that your only son brings a wonderful man home.”

My stomach clenches, and I glance over at Kyle. He’s blushing, almost embarrassed. Does his mom know about us? She’s talking as if it’s obvious, but it looks like Kyle hasn’t said a thing.

“Is there anything we can do for you?” I ask. “To help?”

“Oh, you’re sweet,” she says, shooing me. “But I love cooking and this time of year, giving away the food. It’s like meditation.”

“Yeah,” Michael says. “And if you try to help her, she’ll whack you with a wooden spoon.”

She holds up a wooden spoon and wears a menacing expression, then laughs and relaxes. She goes up to Kyle and kisses him on the cheek. Then she squeezes my arm.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she says. “You’re welcome any time. I’m happy you’re here with my son.”

Something sticks in the back of my throat, and I have to clear it. She pulls away and starts gathering ingredients for what looks like a pumpkin pie, but I’m still reeling.

I can’t remember the last time my own mother held me like that, like she loved me. And Kyle’s mom is already treating me like one of her own. I know I said that I might break up with Kyle on this trip, but how could I after this? I could have a loving family with Kyle.

Kyle brightens. “I know what we can do,” he says. “I’ll take you to The Book Corner. It’s a lesbian-owned coffee shop.”

I raise my brow. “There are lesbians out here? In small town Mississippi?”

Linda starts measuring some sugar. “Glamour Springs is a wonderful little progressive dot. I love Mississippi, but it has its flaws. Living here is like having everything I could want.”

I glance at Kyle, judging his reaction. He doesn’t seem bothered by what his mom is saying at all.

“And that sounds like a great idea,” she says. “See Martha and Llewellyn before they skedaddle tomorrow.”

“I would like to get some writing done,” I add, glancing back at my bag. “Could I do that there?”

“Right,” she says, pouring the sugar into a bowl. “Kyle said you were a writer.”