Page 43 of Creed

“Okay. And what’s that?”

“Could you keep the kids Friday night?”

“Of course! Do you have plans? They didn’t want to go to Brian’s?”

“After what happened last weekend, they don’t want to see him for a while.”

“I can’t really blame them for that. The audacity of that man. I mean, really. It’s just human decency to give your children a little notice that there’s a new woman in your life, even if she isn’t all that new.”

“I know. You’re right, but he didn’t. And now he has to deal with the backlash.”

“And so do you, which isn’t exactly fair.”

“I don’t care about me. I am just worried about the kids.”

“Well, I’m your mother, so I get to worry about you all I want.” She barely had a chance to catch her breath before asking, “Speaking of which, you didn’t answer my question earlier. If you want me to watch them, you must have plans?”

We’d already talked about the whole Jameson thing, and she seemed supportive. But I wasn’t sure she meant it, so I braced myself as I told her, “I’m having dinner with Jameson.”

“Oh.” She paused for a moment, which meant she was trying to choose her words wisely before saying, “So, you decided to go through with it.”

“You told me to.”

“Now, don’t go mincing words with me. I said if you think there are unresolved things between you, then you should go figure out what it is.”

“And that’s what I’m planning to do.”

“Is he still part of that motorcycle club?”

“He is.”

“And isn’t the club the reason he…”

“Mom, don’t start.”

“I’m not trying to start anything, but you’ve got to remember it’s not just you anymore. You have the children and their safety to consider.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Okay. I’m not saying anything more.”

“Um-hmm. Sure you won’t,” I teased. “But don’t worry yourself too much. We have no idea how this dinner with him will go.”

“I don’t know. I have a feeling it will go pretty well.”

“You do?”

“I remember the way he used to look at you, like the sun and stars revolved around you and only you, and a love like that doesn’t just go away. It stays with a man, just like it has stayed with you.”

“I don’t know if I still love him.”

“You do. I can hear it your voice. I’ve heard it every time you’ve ever mentioned the boy’s name, and I hope, for your sake, it works out. But if it doesn’t and he hurts you again, I will hunt him down and shoot him in the kneecaps or dismember him and feed him to the fishes.”

“Well, that’s a bit aggressive.”

“That’s how badly I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Okay. I get it. I’ll be careful and guard my heart.”