Page 52

O ne day at the end of November, Allison dropped over to talk to Lucy about the twins’ upcoming birthday.

They talked about what Lucy could buy as gifts, and Allison grabbed a dozen eggs as she was leaving.

Lucy noticed that she rarely asked after Jack and Sebastian.

When they were all together, Allison appeared friendly, but still Lucy knew there was an undercurrent that pervaded the atmosphere.

Everyone tried to ignore it, but everyone knew it was there.

It simmered quietly in the background continually.

It finally came to a head at the twins’ birthday party.

Now it was Sunday. She and the men drove over to Allison’s.

Allison had suggested that they have a barbeque dinner with any parents who wanted to stay. Judging from the number of cars in the street, it seemed a lot were taking advantage of the offer.

Sebastian parked the car, and the three of them walked cheerfully into the house with the two men carrying a present for each of the twins.

Allison was walking through the house with a handful of paper plates when she saw them, Geoffrey trailing behind. She stopped, looking stunned. She grabbed Lucy, dragging her into the living room while the men went off to speak with Geoffrey.

“What are they doing here?” she hissed.

“Sorry?” Lucy cocked her head, confused. “You invited us.”

“No, I invited you . The invitation just said your name.”

“I don’t get it, Allison. What does it matter?”

“I don’t want people to see them.”

Lucy looked at her daughter in puzzlement. “I don’t understand. They’ve been here plenty of times before. We’re all together most weeks for Thursday dinner. What’s going on?”

“That was just us. Do you think I want my friends to know that my mother is with two men?” Allison’s voice got louder and higher. “How do you think that will make me feel?”

“It shouldn’t bother you at all. I’m the one with two men, not you.”

“It’s wrong. You know it and so do I.”

“There’s nothing wrong with it, Allison. I’m fifty-five in a couple of months, not some silly teenager. I have two men who love me dearly. Not to mention they’re both drop-dead gorgeous. I bet a lot of your damn friends will be envious.”

“They won’t be because I won’t have them here.”

“So you expect us to leave just because you’re ashamed of my boyfriends and lifestyle?”

“You can stay, but I won’t have them in the house while my friends are here.”

“Sorry, Allison, but I won’t be staying if that’s your attitude. I’ll call in on Thursday and wish the twins happy birthday.”

“You’re choosing them over the twins?”

“No. I’m choosing to not make a scene. I’m choosing to leave with two men who I love dearly. Instead, I will see my grandchildren on their birthday.”

“I’m so sick of this! I’m sick of you acting like there’s nothing disgusting about having sex with two men at once! If you want to live like this, fine, but I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Allison!”

“I mean it. You can go on living this perverted way, but don’t expect to have us in your life anymore.”

“What?” Lucy stared at Allison, bewildered by her words. “I don’t understand. What on earth do you mean?”

“I mean if you want to live with two men and carry on some sick lifestyle, then do it, but you won’t be seeing us, seeing your grandchildren ever again!”

Blood left her face and she swayed as Allison spoke. Devastated, Lucy could only manage a strangled whisper, “You can’t mean that, Allison!”

“I do. When you come to your senses, you’ll see I’m right. It’s sick. You’re sick.” She screamed at Lucy. “You’re depraved for even wanting it!”

“Allison!” Allison’s hurtful words shocked Lucy. “Please, you can’t stop me from seeing my grandchildren!” She pleaded. “Please stop being so dramatic, Allison!”

“I’m not stopping you from seeing them. You can see them anytime you like as long as you’re no longer with them! ”

Tears poured down Lucy’s cheeks. She was appalled by the terrible choice Allison had given her. “You want me to choose ?” She stumbled over the word. “You want me to choose between my grandchildren and the two men I love and who love me!”

“Yes.”

Lucy sank onto a nearby chair, her face buried in her hands, weeping. How could Allison do this to her?

“Make up your mind, Mum.”

“What’s going on?”

Geoffrey had entered the room with Sebastian and Jack behind him.

“Nothing, Geoff. Just Mum and I having a discussion.”

“Lucy, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Sebastian knelt down and pulled Lucy’s hands from her face. “What’s happened, sweetheart?”

Haltingly, Lucy tried telling them between her sobs.

Sebastian jumped to his feet. It was crystal clear to all he was infuriated as he demanded, “You want your own mother to choose between her grandkids and her happiness?”

Geoffrey grabbed his wife’s arm. “Allison, stop being a fool. There’s nothing wrong with their relationship.”

“Nothing wrong! She’s fucking two men at once!”

“Allison!”

“Well, she is, Geoff, and it’s wrong. I won’t have such ... such debauchery around my children anymore.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Allison. It’s not harming the kids. They love Seb and Jack.”

“Well, there’ll be no chance they can harm them. Either she sees them or she sees the kids.”

Geoffrey was furious. “No! You can’t do this! Lucy and the guys aren’t hurting anyone.”

Anger poured off him as he faced his wife. “You can’t dictate how someone lives their life, Allison, just because you don’t approve. It’s your mother’s decision, no one else’s.”

“I can. They’re my kids. Yes, it is her decision which to choose. I don’t want them corrupted by this ... this affair!”

“They’re my children too, Allison, and I don’t agree.”

“Well, you’ll have to decide who you love most—me or my mother!” she retorted.

Sebastian put his hand on Geoffrey’s arm, speaking quietly to him.

“This is getting out of control, Geoff. I’m worried someone will say something that can never be forgotten.

It’s no good trying to talk while she’s this angry.

Go back to the party, and we’ll leave. Hopefully she comes to her senses tomorrow. ”

Geoffrey shook him off. “No, Seb, this is ridiculous!”

“Geoff, this is your kids’ party. It’s fine.”

Geoffrey looked at the two men then back at his wife standing with her arms folded across her heaving chest. He shook his head and took a step toward her.

“I mean it, Geoff. You can all make up your mind now.” She glared across the room to Jack and Sebastian. “I won’t be changing my decision—it’s either the children or my mother’s sick relationship with you two.”

Sebastian glared at Allison, obvious anger bubbling to the surface.

“Neither Jack nor I would ever stand between Lucy and her grandchildren. But I have to tell you, you are the most vicious, horrible woman I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet.

How you can stand there and expect her to choose between family and her relationship is beyond me. ”

“It’s a sick relationship. She’ll thank me!”

Sebastian’s face said it all. He looked heartbroken, but everyone knew he would put Lucy’s happiness before his own.

“We’ll leave now. I hope you come to your senses when you’ve had a chance to think this through over the next few days.

” He turned his back on her and came to Lucy, pulling her up and into his arms. “Lucy, we can’t see you live without your grandchildren.

Jack and I could never forgive ourselves. ”

“No! No, you can’t leave me!” Lucy screamed in shock. She hadn’t really been listening to what anyone had been saying. All that got through was the men were leaving her. She looked to Jack.

He cried softly and came to her, both men holding her tight.

“No! No!” Lucy kept repeating over and over in disbelief.

“Wake up to yourself, Allison! Look what you’re doing.” Geoffrey’s voice was icy with his fury. “I don’t agree with any of this, and once this party’s over, I intend to sort out this mess.”

“She’ll realize I’m right, Geoff. You just wait. A few days and she’ll understand this is the right thing to do.”

Jack and Sebastian held Lucy as she sobbed loudly. They finally pulled away.

Sebastian regarded Geoffrey. “I’m sorry it’s come to this. I would never have believed a child would destroy their mother’s happiness.”

“I apologize for my wife’s behavior. I’m sorrier than you could ever know.”

While Jack held Lucy, Sebastian rummaged in his wallet and pulled out a business card. He threw it at Allison’s feet. “You know where to reach us when you realize what a bigoted idiot you are.”

The two men hugged Lucy again, and Sebastian put her into Geoffrey’s outstretched arms.

With that, the two men went to leave the room, but Lucy grabbed Sebastian. “No!” she screamed. “Don’t leave me!”

He peered down into her tear-ravaged face and ran a finger down her cheek.

Jack looked at Lucy as if his heart had broken into a thousand pieces.

Sebastian kissed her forehead. “Remember we love you. We always will. Remember the good times. Never forget them.”

With that, they walked from the room.

Lucy almost fell to her knees, unable to stand alone. It was only Geoffrey’s strong arms that held her upright. Now beyond help, she clung to him sobbing, her heart shattered. When she was finally able to get a few words out, she sobbed to him. “Take me home, Geoff.”

“You don’t have to go, Mum. They’ve gone. Stay.”

Lucy raised her face and stared at her daughter dumb-struck, then turned to Geoffrey.

When Allison saw the astonished look on Lucy’s face she flinched as if Lucy had struck her.

“I’m sorry, Geoff.” She stuttered through her tears. “I can’t stay here, not now. I’ll come back on Thursday to see the twins.” She looked back at Allison. Through gritted teeth she snarled, “I will never forgive you for this!”

Allison went to speak, but Geoffrey silenced her with a harsh look. He helped Lucy outside and settled her in his car. The drive back to Lucy’s home was silent except for her sobs.

When they pulled up, Geoffrey helped her from the car. “Don’t give up hope, Lucy. I’ll talk to her once everyone has gone. She can’t do this. It’s so wrong. They’re my children as well as hers.”

“Please, Geoff, please don’t let this cause any more of a divide between you and her. I don’t want that to happen. It’s bad enough she’s stepped between the people I love.”

“I’m fucking furious with her, Lucy, and I intend to get this fixed,” he said vehemently. “Please promise me you’ll be strong.”

“Only if you promise me not to fight with Allison. It’s me she’s mad at, not you. I don’t want you to fight. Promise.”

“Lucy, I can’t do that! I intend to get this sorted right now.”

She pleaded with him. “Please, Geoff. Please promise that you won’t fight with her. The children need both of you in their lives. They don’t want unhappy parents. I’ll be all right.” Once more, she begged, “Promise me, please.”

He shook his head reluctantly. “Okay, I promise.” He looked at Lucy, then warned, “But I’m going to fix this somehow. I love you, Lucy. You’re more than just a mother. You’re my friend, and I hate seeing you unhappy.”

She gave him a watery smile as he kissed her cheek. “Go. The twins will be wondering where you are.”

“I don’t want to leave you like this.”

“I’ll be fine. Go.”

He searched the brave face she wore and nodded. Walking back to the car, he waved goodbye and drove off.

Lucy unlocked the door and went inside, closing it behind her. She leaned her back against the door then slid down it, hugging her knees.

Everything felt so surreal. Had it really happened?

Had her daughter made her choose between the men she loved so dearly and her darling grandchildren?

Getting to her feet, she climbed the stairs to her room and threw herself on the bed. Lucy cried again and then couldn’t stop. At some point, she must have cried herself to sleep because when she woke it was dark.

She got up and used the toilet. Climbing back onto the bed, Lucy saw it was nine-thirty. She curled into a ball, her pendant clutched tightly in her hand, and hugged her pillow.

It felt like her life had ended. She couldn’t believe how much agony wracked her body.

Pain in the back of her throat from her sobs added to her misery.

She closed her painful eyes and slept again.

It was six-fifteen in the morning when she woke once more, the house so empty when she went downstairs after showering.