Page 21 of Long Hard Fall

What had Dad done now? He didn’t stop but aimed for the kitchen. “I just gotta grab something and bring it outside. I’ll be right back.”

“We’re getting divorced.”

Hit boots hit with a thud as he stopped and closed his eyes. Divorced? After all Mom had stuck through? Why now? She had held on for almost thirty years. Dad’s screw-up must’ve been epic.

He opened his eyes and adopted the emotional numbness he usually did when around his parents. “Who asked for the divorce?”

“I did.” She blew her nose and added the tissue to the growing pile in front of her. Her brown hair was neatly combed and she wore her standard jeans and conservative top. Mom would call her looks average, but then, undercutting herself was like a hobby. And when people commented on how they didn’t look alike, it broke his heart as much as hers. Yes, he had his dad’s blue eyes and build, but the rest was a reminder of Dad’s betrayal.

“I couldn’t take the last one,” she said, her voice breaking. “He refused to quit seeing her.”

Cash just nodded. Same old story, only Mom had finally drawn the line. And Dad had stepped over it, like he always did.

“I…have a new place. I just wanted to tell you in person.”

“Does Sissy know?”

“Hannah hates it when you call her that, you know.” Another item he did wrong according to his mother. “No, not yet. I’d like to stay over and drive there tomorrow. St. Cloud is too far for today, but I want her to hear before the wildfire gossip spreads. I’m sure Allan will tell his whore and who knows who she’ll spill it to.”

He didn’t flinch at her naming-calling. He couldn’t blame her and it was nothing new. “Is she from Moore?” His parents had moved far from Moore to Eden Prairie. Instead of getting away from all the drama, it had opened a new playing field for his dad.

“No, but it’s a small world.”

No, Mom had wanted to tell Cash in person. Cash could take the news. Sissy would collapse in tears like she always did when Mom and Dad fought.

“I deserve better,” his mom said adamantly.

“I know you do,” was Cash’s automatic response.

A soft squeak of floorboard made them both swing around. Mom’s mouth fell open.

Abbi’s eyes were wide. She took a step back as if she were going to run out the way she’d come. “I’m so sorry. I just need to grab my stuff.”

She looked so apologetic he had to say something. “No problem, Abbi.”

Abbi scurried into the kitchen and right back out with her tote. She breezed past Cash. “Call you tomorrow,” she said quietly as she passed.

She’d interpreted the gravity of the situation and didn’t linger. At least he had that going for him. Awkwardness on top of all this angst might break his mom.

“Who was that?” Mom asked. Her eyes watered again.

He gave her his standard spiel of an army buddy’s sister.

“Oh, Cash. Of all people, why get involved with Perry Daniels’s sister? Isn’t there another woman who hasn’t gone through what she has?” The disappointment in her voice usually washed off him, but not today.

“I’m not Dad,” he said tightly. He should say they weren’t involved and get his mom off the topic, but her lectures weren’t welcome today.

Her mouth flattened. “I didn’t say you were. But a girl who’s going through what she did doesn’t need a man who plays with her emotions.”

She walked out on me, he wanted to say, but that’d reveal he and Abbi had already had relations. And when had he ever played with a girl’s emotions? Thanks to Mom, that was one thing he did really well. “We’re just talking. She wants to talk about her brother; I’m not going to send her packing.”

He didn’t mention he’d already tried. No one could send Abbi away if she didn’t want to go. He nearly smiled at the thought but didn’t out of respect for his mom.

He got the Mom stare for another second before she finally stood and gathered her pile of tissues. “Go do your chores. I’ll make some dinner.”

He rubbed his eyes as he walked out of the house. Tomorrow morning, he’d have to sneak away without his mom knowing where he went. He’d gotten to a point where Monday mornings felt less like a duty and more like something to look forward to. After today, he’d need someone to talk to who knew his situation. But the horse ride with Abbi was enough to get him through the rest of the night with his mother and her tears.

Chapter 7

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