Page 99 of The Goat in the Bedroom
Nichelle from Accounts Receivable appeared at my cubicle. “Spill. Now.”
“I don't know what you mean.”
“You've been smiling at your computer for an hour. You've checked your phone twelve times. And is that a hickey?”
My hand flew to my neck. “No.”
“It absolutely is. Oh my god, did something happen with Hot Roommate?”
“His name is Gryff.”
She stole a chair from the next cubicle over and sat down. “Did something happen with Hot Gryff?”
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.
At lunch, I stepped outside to call my mom. She needed to hear this from me, not from the Thornminster gossip network.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she answered. “How's work? Are you contributing the highest percent of your paycheck to your 401(k)?”
“Yes, Mom. And another ten percent of my paycheck to my rainy day backup savings account. But that’s not why I’m calling. I have news.”
“Oh god, you're not pregnant, are you?”
“Mom.” She always went for the worst-case scenario first. “No.”
“Sorry, mother's prerogative to panic. What's the news? Oh, I know, you’ve impressed your bosses so much with your work ethic they’re giving you a promotion. Be sure to get a raise and make them pay you for what you’re worth. You’re very smart and they’re lucky to have you.”
“No, that’s not it.” Here goes. “Gryff and I are together now. Like, together together.”
There was a pause, then she let out a hard breath. “I can’t say I didn’t see this coming, but, honey, he’s an athlete. Do you really think that’s wise? Consider what that kind of unstable lifestyle did to our family.”
“I’m an athlete too.”
“Yes, but that’s not your career. You were smart and got a degree and work in a field that is stable.”
And boring. And not necessarily what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. But I’d definitely never said that to her.
“Gryff got a degree too. He’s not a dumb jock. You like him.” I couldn’t believe I had to defend my best friend to her. She knew Gryff, she loved him. Said more than once that he was a good influence and liked how grounded he was. I even think she had a little crush on Zaddy Kingman.
“He’s a lovely young man, but so was your father at twenty-two. But Gryff could get hurt, will likely get traded to one team or another, and you’ll just have to pick up and move to wherever he’s called to go. What if you end up in someplace like Cincinnati or Timbuktu.”
Then I’d adjust exactly like I always did. I was quite literally raised to be adaptable.
But what struck me was that in all of this what she didn’t understand was that it didn’t matter where Gryff and I lived, or what we did. We could live in little huts in the Indian countryside making goat milk soap and weaving hats out of the fur Holly and Vinnie leave on our pillows every morning, and I would still be happy.
“Mom, I’m going to say this as gently as I can because I love you and know you’re just trying to keep me safe. But Gryff is not dad. He prioritizes family above everything else.”
“Ouch, sweetheart. But… that's actually helpful. I'm sorry I put my own worries and fears on you. I just want you to be happy.”
I knew she was sincere, but that didn't mean I wasn't a bit frustrated with her. “I am happy. Happier than I've ever been.”
“Good. That's all that matters.”
After I hung up, I stood there for a moment, letting the frustration drain away. But then I smiled, because when I got home from work, I was going to get to tell me boyfriend all about the crazy conversation I had with my mother and he was going to hug me and kiss me and tell me every little thing was gonna be all right.
My phone buzzed with a text and it made my heart sing to see it was him.
GRYFF
