Page 4 of Lorna's Savior
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. At least my brothers and sisters aren’t as wacked as Mom and Dad.”
“Eccentric, Andy. They’re eccentric, not wacked.” The two shared a laugh before returning to the others inside the house.
Chapter 2
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Kristen Hepplewaite screeched at her daughter. “We have some things to discuss. I need you to focus.” The woman snapped her fingers in her daughter’s direction, trying to get her attention.
Lorna Hepplewaite stopped in her tracks, turned, and glared at her mother. “What now? You’ve already told me you’re leaving tomorrow for a three-month cruise, Mother. What do you need to discuss with me?”
“You need to make sure the staff do their jobs.”
“What jobs? You won’t be here, and I clean up after myself. Give them the time off, Mother. They deserve a vacation every once in a while. What will they do while you’re gone?”
“They have their jobs. That’s what I pay them for.” Kristen stared down her nose at her daughter, like she’d just said the worst thing in the world.
“Whatever, don’t wait up for me.” Lorna started toward the door, and had to stop when her mother started screeching again.
“You will not leave this house until I’m done talking with you!”
Gritting her teeth, Lorna turned back toward her mother, took three steps forward and bit out. “I’m going to be late for work, Mother. You know, that thing that pays the bills? A job. I can’t be late today. Finn’s making an important announcement.”
“Why did you allow that dirty upstart of a farmer take your man away from you? If you had followed my instructions, you’d be the one marrying him, instead of that tramp.”
“Don’t ever call my best friend a tramp, Mother. You won’t like what happens if I hear you call Ronnie that again. Second, Finn doesn’t do anything for me.”
Kristen snorted a nasty laugh. “What’s that mean? All you have to do is lie on your back for a few minutes, and the money starts rolling in. As long as you keep them happy in the bedroom, then nothing else matters.” She stared hard at her daughter. After studying her expression, she burst out laughing, but Lorna cringed when it sounded like a witch’s cackle.
“You disgust me, Mother.” Lorna curled her lip at her. “When I marry, it will be for love, and forever. I take the wedding vows seriously. Like sickness and health, richer, or poorer. Not a wham bam thank you, sir, let me fuck you, and I’ll gladly take your money, then, when the times get rough, you divorce them, take them to the cleaners, then move on to the next man to fuck over, both literally and figuratively. That’s not me. I can’t wait to get the fuck out of this house.”
“You’ll do no such thing! You are not allowed to move out until you’re thirty.”
Lorna ignored her mother, turned on her heel, and stormed toward the door. “Whatever, have a good trip finding your eighth Mr. Right. Don’t wait up for me.” She stormed out of the door and to the garage for her car. She noticed her hands were shaking as she tried to open the door, and gave a little squeal when a hand covered hers.
“Murphy, you scared me.”
“Sorry about that, Ms. Lorna, but I overheard your argument with your mother. You don’t want to drive while you’re this upset. Would you like me to drive you?”
“Thank you, but no. I won’t be coming home directly after work. I’ve got a late meeting, and I plan to go out and celebrate.” She looked over both shoulders, then giggled as she leaned closer, to whisper, “I didn’t want to tell Mother this, but I may be getting a promotion at work today. I don’t need her to tell me how to run my life. I’m twenty-seven years old, it’s time I started doing shit for myself. Things are going to change around here, but I’m taking the coward’s way out, and waiting until Mother leaves.”
“Would you need my help? I’m asking, because I’ll help in any way I can.”
“Thank you, Murphy, and I’ll probably take you up on that. But, for now, I need to get to work. Thank you for talking me off the fucking ledge.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, then with her good nature restored, she waved, climbed into her car, and drove away.
* * *
Lorna arrived at work with twenty minutes to spare, and was able to get her coffee from the break room. Before she finished fixing it, she felt a presence beside her, and grinned at her co-worker.
“Marc, how are you this fine Friday morning?”
“Good, you?”
“Better now that I’m here.” Lorna sighed and wrinkled her nose at her friend. “Had a run-in with Mother this morning.”
“She’s up this early?” Marc asked in shock.
Lorna giggled. “Yep, she’s leaving first thing in the morning for a three-month cruise. I can’t wait until she’s gone. I have big plans.”
“Can you share?”
