Page 84 of The Thorne at My Side
“Hey Mom,” Elle says and she steps ahead of me.
Laura turns towards us and when she smiles widely I’m reminded of the woman who was my nanny and then my step mother for the rest of my life. The woman who made me lunches for school. Who took me shopping for new clothes. Who bandaged my knees and got me a glass of water before bed.
“Elle, darling!” Mom extends her arms and wraps Elle in a hug. I feel a distinct pang of sadness that these two, the most important women in my life, don’t know Maggie. And might not get the chance. “And my Austin, come here.”
I cross over to her and she pulls me down for a kiss on the cheek. She gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. When I don’t step back she lets out a little sigh and gives me a hug.
“Your father is short sighted, can’t see past the bottom line.”She whispers into my ear.
“Yeah, umm.” I say as I struggle to figure out how she would know about what happened at the board meeting.
“Is it family picture time?” She asks brightly. Elle rolls her eyes and I search the bottom of my empty glass for more. Finding none, I set it on a side table and then hold out both elbows to take them each by the arm.
"I know it's not New Year’s but do you have any resolutions for next year?" Mom asks us.
"Ugh, Mom.” Elle chastises. “Can you not be your usual upbeat self right now? We’re on the death march to take a photo with the man who is a glorified sperm donor.”
“Eloise Elizabeth,” Mom dishes right back. “I’ll be the first to admit he is not the traditional midwestern dad but you’ve done just fine and he loves you in his own way. Answer my question about resolutions and then we can gossip about his new girlfriend.”
“Deal. Okay, so for next year, I dunno. I'm loving my work at the studio but I also feel like there is more I can do. Or figuring out how to open up the classes to more people. We have such a bougie clientele."
"Hey, I'm not bougie!" I protest as we make our way into the entrance hall where Dad stations himself for most of the night. He stays here so he can greet everyone who comes in and watch to see who leaves early. Plus, I think he likes that his voice echoes off all the marble.
"You're right, you're the least bougie billionaire I know." Elle says with a chuckle.
"I'm not a billionaire, yet," I tell her but she levels me with a look that says I'm pointing out a useless technicality.
“Like I was saying,” Elle starts with an eyeroll and an exhale. “I’ve been thinking of ways to make people happy. Like your friend who came in for puppy yoga, she looked so stressed when she walked in but when she left she was relaxed and I even saw her smile.”
I remember that smile.
And I remember the car ride to her place.
And the desperate feeling that compelled me out of the car and to her door.
“Is there a girl in your life?” Mom asks me, hopeful.
“Eh, not really.”
“He had two.” Elle says like she’s tattling.
“Austin Thorne! I’ve raised you better.”
“No, it’s not like that, and it wasn’t really two people.”
Both women look at me for more information as we stand in the receiving line that snakes around the hall. Waiters pass by with hors d'oeuvres and more circulate with champagne. At least we'll be well fed while we wait.
And maybe I can use eating as a diversion from this line of questioning.
“But, you were seeing someone before the election, right?” Elle asks before popping a stuffed mushroom in her mouth. She immediately reaches out to snatch a crab cake off the next tray.
“Yeah, I was. Sort of.”
“Explain,” Mom demands quietly. It’s her mom voice and I don’t stand a chance. Felix knows everything, I should let the two most important women in my life in on the secret.
“I enrolled in the SMS Connect program over the summer.”
“Austin, that’s wonderful,” Mom coos.
