Page 33 of Until Now
An awkward pause hangs in the air, and I’m not about to fill it.
“So, I’m still at the same number. Call if you’d like to have lunch and catch up,” Donna offers.
Son of a fucking bitch. I look at Maxen and wait for him to respond. He looks uncomfortable. Too bad. Handle it.
“I’m only here for a short time.”
Why didn’t he say no? It is very simple. I would have handled it differently. I’d have said to an ex who was trying to hone in my date, ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. But hope you are doing well.’ Cut and dry. No room for misinterpretation. I want to kick him in the balls.
She lays a hand gently on his forearm, and my blood pressure rises. Brittney looks like this is going exactly as planned. Donna lays one more cheek kiss on Maxen.
“Well, if you change your mind, give me a call. It was nice meeting you all.”
She makes eye contact with us for the first time. Then she walks. Was that a smug look I got, or am I reading too much into the scene?
Our first fight will have to be scheduled for another time. I can’t address the situation here in front of my child or anyone other than Maxen. But my blood is boiling. I feel his eyes on me, but he can go kick a can. I put on a fake smile and continue as if nothing has occurred.
“Well, Brittney, as I said, it was a special evening for us. I expect wonderful reviews. We’re going to head out. These two boys are hungry.”
I lean over and air-kiss her disappointed face. I believe she was looking for my negative reaction. The girl is a drama queen, and her after play performance didn’t have the response she was looking for. If she knew how angry I am, she would be ecstatic.
* * *
By the time Bing and I get back home, my annoyance has built from a rock pile to a mountain. Maxen’s last words to me were, ‘I’ll call you.’
“Mom, are you mad at Maxen?”
I’m a fool to think my child was going to let this slide or miss what happened.
“A little mad.”
The truth is usually the best. Bing and I rarely keep secrets that don’t need to be kept.
He kicks off his shoes, then picks them up.
“Cause of that lady that kissed him?”
“Because I didn’t think he handled that right. He wasn’t clear enough in his response. But this is just the kind of thing men and women have to work out. I need to make sure Maxen knows what kind of behavior I expect.”
He gives me the side-eye.
“What? You think I’m overreacting?” I’d like to add, ‘what do you know about adult relationships?’, but that’s my pride talking.
Bing looks me directly in the eye and lays out his take.
“I think he was polite, but he sounded like he wasn’t going to meet her. He looked kinda pissed when she wanted to. Besides, he likes you, Mom.”
Once again, it isn’t the time to get picky on the language. I want Bing to always be able to talk with me about these kinds of personal topics. My son factors in every decision I make. Choosing a mate being the most important.
“Okay, smarty pants. I’m going to go call him and have the uncomfortable conversation.”
He looks pleased and turns to head for his room.
“Hey!” I call to the retreating figure. “Thanks. You helped me.”
I walk into my room and toss my purse on the bed. When I’m halfway undressed, the cell sounds. Maxen’s calling.
“Hi,” I say, sitting on the bed.
