Page 40 of The Leaves In Autumn
“So he’s coming tonight for sure?”
“Think so. We talked, and I told him we need to push past the embarrassment and be together like before.”
“Sounds like you’re driving the bus.”
“I am. I will, until he relaxes and accepts the inevitable.”
“You think that can happen?”
“We need it to. Otherwise it’s going to be awkward for the rest of our lives. It isn’t like we can avoid each other forever.”
She stands and takes out her bowling ball from the beautiful blue leather bag Van gave her. I take mine from the bag with my name on it. Most of my name. The last A has worn off. Barbr it reads. I know the faux leather is decades old and a little timeworn, but I can’t get rid of it.
“Are you ever going to get a new bag?”
“No. It’s practically the one thing I have left from Dad.”
Her hand reaches out and touches my cheek. I know her memories of him are not as good as mine. The few years between us gave Layla a clearer view of his weaknesses. I can only remember how it was when he was happy-go-lucky. He was probably drunk every time, but I was looking through young adoring eyes.
“Let’s get a little practice in before they show.”
“Have the Lyons ever bowled with you?”
“Yeah. They know I’m awesome at it. Now they’ll know you are.”
She lines up and becomes Layla, Super Bowler. All ten pins fall in acknowledgement of her talent.
Here comes the victory dance, arms in the air, tiny pitty pat steps left, right, repeat.
“My turn.”
“Wait.” She sits bedside me. “Guess who called right before we left the house?”
“Who?”
“Mom.”
“Really?”
Her calls are sporadic at best. I don’t want to think poorly of her motives, but I am leery.
“Hold on to your underpants. She’s coming for the wedding.”
“What?”
“Yep. The mother of the bride wants to attend now.”
“Wait. She told me she couldn’t make it because she was going to be on some sort of bullshit walking tour of some bullshit place. Remember how pissed it made me?”
We both chuckle at the absurdity of our parentage.
“Apparently plans have changed. And here’s the headline.” There is a dramatic pause. “She’s bringing her fiancé.”
“Oh hell no. Really? How did she find another man so fast?”
“You know how. The same way she’s done in the past. With her body.”
“Did you tell her she’s going to have to behave? Shit. I will personally restrain her if she acts up at your wedding.”
