Page 59 of The Leaves In Autumn
As we get closer, Abby spots us and does exactly as I thought. She comes my way.
“Aaron! Come dance with me!”
I do not care what name she calls me. Barbra whispers.
“Am I rolling my eyes out loud?”
And then hands are on me. Long pointed nails dig into my arm. All the while there is a weird bouncing happening.
“You okay, Mom?”
Abby does not hide her expression of anger.
“Yes, I’m okay, Miss Priss. Loosen up, Barbra.” She looks at me. “Can you believe a daughter of mine is uptight?”
What an ass. I jump in to make it stop.
“Let’s have a dance, Abby. But I can only do slow.”
“That’s okay, honey! I won’t mind that at all.”
She opens her arms and I move between them. Strong-arming her from pressing against me. Barbra turns to the discarded man, who doesn’t know what to do.
“Xavier, shall we?”
The man looks like he has been saved from the guillotine at the last moment.
“I’m not the best dancer.”
Abby adds more insult. “No kidding!”
“That’s okay. I’m not either.”
He isn’t used to charm or good behavior. Poor guy.
It is taking all my strength to fight Abby’s will to rub against me. To show me more boobage. Oh fuck. The woman is single-minded. Did somebody slip catnip into the food? Watery eyes look up at me, but all I can see is the smeared lipstick in the corner of a wide smile. Underneath the layers of makeup, I see the natural beauty her girls possess. What made her bury it?
“I’m so happy my girls have found good men. You two together?”
What do I say? I am going to ignore the question.
“I’ll tell you, Abby, my brother is going to make Layla a great husband. He’s a good guy and I know he found the right woman. Look at them!”
When in doubt, distract. I nod toward the dancing couple and Abby forgets for a moment what she asked. Think she’s feeling a little too under the influence. I felt her body relax and mine pick up the slack. Don’t want anyone falling.
“I know! And he is willing to take on stepchildren. That says a lot. Some of my husbands weren’t so good at that.”
She laughs.
What do I say? What I would like to is,Why the hell did you marry them then?Instead, I start for the entry to the tent. Very slowly, so as not to alert her to the plan. As we pass Xavier and Barbra, it is only her that watches. He is obviously happy to be dancing with a woman like Barbra. Wonder if he ever loved a good woman? Wonder if I ever will again.
I motion for Barbra to follow, and she takes the instruction, leading him without his knowing. Some eyes are on us. Some knowing eyes. My father and mother see what’s happening, as Barbra leans her too heavy head on my shoulder. I am almost totally holding her up now. Mom says something to Dad, and he gets up and follows.
I don’t look at anyone else. It takes all my efforts to pretend two people are conscious. We make it to the exit. Barbra and company beside us.
“Let’s get her to the house,” Dad says, taking an arm.
“I’m so sorry!” Barbra looks like she is about to cry.
