Page 100 of As a Last Resort
“I have Sam to thank for my obsession with Debbie Gibson.”Lexi turned to me.“Do you remember ‘Lost in Your Eyes’?”
“You mean, do I remember the best song of all time?”I dipped my head.“Maybe.”
She pushed her chair back and grabbed her wineglass as a microphone.“I get lost…” she sang.
“In your eyes…” I replied as I snatched mine and stood.Then we both sang at the top of our lungs.“And I feeeeeeeel my spirits rise and soar like the wind.Is it love that I am in?”
Then we looked at each other and paused.“I can’t remember the next line,” I whispered across the table.
“Neither can I.”We both fell back into our chairs laughing.
“Thank the Lord,” Bill added.
Austin leaned back in his chair, a smile desperately trying to burst across his face.
I narrowed my eyes at him.“Don’t act like you don’t remember the concerts we used to put on.They were too epic to be forgotten.”
“Pretty sure I was in my room playing Nintendo, although if that was a taste, it looks like I got the better end of the bargain.”
“Oh, don’t you play coy,” Mary Kay said.“I’m pretty sure I have some pictures stashed away of your musical debut somewhere too, Austin.”
“Now those I would pay money to see.”Lexi pranced over and topped off my wineglass again.
“Lexi, that’s enough,” Rex piped in laughing.“She hasn’t even finishedthatglass.We don’t need to turn Samantha into an alcoholic.”
The awkward silence that blanketed the table was excruciating.“What?”Rex continued.“Alexandra gets a little carried away with her hosting responsibilities is all I’m saying.”
Austin turned his eyes to me right away, roaming my face.
Mary Kay reached over and laid a hand on my arm.“I’m so sorry, he doesn’t—”
Lexi interrupted.“I didn’t give him the whole story, I didn’t think—”
“No, no, please, it’s okay,” I looked at Rex’s confused face.“My mom is actually an alcoholic.”His face turned beet red.“And, also partakes in other fun extracurricular substances sometimes too.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.I had no idea.”His eyes desperately searched Lexi’s face for a lifeline.
“Seriously, it’s not a big deal, Rex.Please don’t feel bad.You wouldn’t have known.”
“How is your mom doing?”Bill asked.“Austin told me about Willow Rehabilitation.Best place she can be.”
“She’s doing good as far as I know from the staff updates.She hasn’t been able to make contact yet.I guess that helps acclimate their patients to the program without any distractions, but her counselor says she’s doing great.”
“I’m sure the moment she can reach out to you she will.”Mary Kay squeezed my hand.Just her touch took some of the sting away, but I could feel the massive tidal wave of emotion creeping up my chest.The gentleness in her words cracked something open in me—something that had been quiet for a long time.“Now, you kids go relax.Let Dad and I clean up for once.Enjoy the time you’ve got left with Samantha here.”She winked at me as she stood.
Rex stood, gathered a handful of plates and headed inside through the patio door as Lexi followed.“I’m going to run in and check on him.I’m really sorry, I should have given him a heads-up.”
“It’s nothing.Please, tell him it’s seriously not a big deal.”
“I will.I’ll meet you two out there.”She motioned to the Adirondack chairs down by the water.
Austin stood up without a word and started toward the water’s edge.I followed him out and plopped down in one of the chairs next to him.The ocean slowly lapped up onto the shore, tumbling the rocks and stones smooth.
“Well, glad that wasn’t awkward.”My attempt to make him laugh failed.He stayed silent as we watched the waves roll in for a few minutes.I was starting to seriously doubt my interpretation of anything ever being between us.Did I imagine everything?Was he mad that I fell asleep?Did he consider himself lucky I fell asleep?My mind spiraled out of control.
“You worried about your mom?”he finally asked.
“No.Surprisingly.”I was thankful he was finally talking to me, even if it was about my mom.“I’m just glad she’s finally doing what I’ve asked her to do for years.It’s a huge step.But I’m not going to get my hopes up about it just yet.”
