Page 93 of Definitely Not a Thing

“I’m hanging up.”

“Don’t do that,” he pleaded. “I’m messing around – I was almost late because of traffic, but they actually took it easy on us today. They’re trying to fake us out -- planning on another grind tomorrow before they make cuts.”

“Oh. Damn. That’s why you stayed in Blackwood tonight?”

“Yeah – between needing to be fully rested and not worrying about the travel time in the morning.And…I didn’t know if your mother was staying with you or not. You didnotwarn me about that at all.”

I dropped my face into my free hand. “Yeah… about that…”

I took a moment describing the situation from my point of view – waking up to find my mother in my apartment, then realizing how she’d gotten in – and then he explained from his.

“I’m very glad I had already handled my business in the bathroom before I left, because Isurelywould’ve been standing there shitty if I hadn’t,” Calvin laughed. “I opened the door and she was already just…right there, with your face, looking likewho the fuck are you. She works in the school system, doesn’t she?”

I giggled. “Uh… yes, actually. Thirty years, all the way up the chain.”

“Yeah, I know that lookrealwell,” he cackled. “I could hear the key ring shaking, feel the threat of in-school-suspension just looming over me… and then she smiled at me. Said,you look nice and sturdy. Come get these bags and tell me about yourself, since you seem so acquainted with my daughter.”

My eyes went wide. “That isnothow she characterized it to me. She made it seem… I don’t know, breezy!”

“For the most part it was – I like your mom. I think she’d get along with mine well. Maybetoowell.”

I smirked. “Oh… so you’re planning on me meeting your mother, huh?”

“I saidtheywould get along well. I don’t know how she’d feel aboutyou.”

“What!?”

“Chill,” he laughed. “You should know by now I’m?—”

“Just fucking around,” I mimicked his voice, as annoyingly as I could. “Cause you’re always playing, cause you play too much.”

“You know you like that,” he teased. “Anyway – yes, I’m planning on you meeting my mother. Been planning that since those margarita pouches in front of the air conditioner.”

I smiled. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously,” he said. “It’s already lined out – booked your travel for the first game and everything.”

My eyes went wide. “Wait, what? You want me to come to your game?”

“Why do you sound surprised?”

“I… I don’t know. That’s just very… official. And I thought we’d agreed that this wasn’t really… a thing?”

Calvin sighed. “Be serious, Amelia. It’s definitely a thing. Definitely official.”

“Youdefinitelydecided that on your own,” I said.

“I did,” he agreed. “And what are you going to do about it? Besidesdefinitelygetting your ass on that plane anddefinitelysitting next to my mama to cheer me on at this game?”

I sat back.

Still smiling.

“Definitely not a thing.”

Except… shit.

Maybe it was?

The end.