Page 38 of Kayden: The Past
14
Free Bird - Jennifer
I stayedwith my grandmother and helped her around the house before skipping town. I decided to listen to my mother for once and join her and Joe in Florida for the winter. My grandmother was getting old, and I wanted to make sure the house would be ready when the long, cold winter began. After a week, I was ready to leave. I needed a change of scenery.
My mom greeted me at the door with hugs and kisses. She had dinner waiting for me on the table after the two-day drive south. “It’s so good to see you, baby.”
“Mom, stop calling me that.” I shoved a forkful of meat loaf in my mouth and swallowed.
“Well, you’ll always be my baby, but okay, fine. How are you?”
“Shitty, but I’m glad to be here. I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too. I got the names of some companies for you to call down here for work.”
“Thanks. I’ll start making those calls tomorrow. I need to work. I can’t sit around this house all day.”
“I know. They’re dying for good workers down here. So many lazy bastards out there.”
“Hopefully. So, tell me how things are with you and Joe? Does he treat you right, Mom?”
“You know Joe, Kayden. He treats me like a princess. He got a part-time job, and so did I. We don’t see each other as much as we used to, but it’s been good for us, trust me.”
“Where are you working?”
“I started helping out at a club in town, serving drinks and helping in the kitchen.”
“A club?” I stopped eating and looked at her.
“Not a club like you’re used to. It’s just a social club with people my age. People get lonely down here sometimes, Kayden. You should come one day this week and meet everyone.”
“Yeah, maybe, Mom. I’ll see what happens tomorrow. I’m exhausted after that long drive.” The drive wasn’t the only reason I felt exhausted. I felt mentally worn out from the change my life had taken in such a short time.
“You look tired. Finish up and go to bed. I have more than enough to do to keep myself busy, and we have plenty of time to catch up now that you’re here.” She kissed me on the head and walked to the sink.
I shoveled the last forkfuls of food into my mouth and carried the plate to her. “Thanks, Mom. I’m happy to be here with you.”
“I know you are. Now, scoot.” She shooed me away as she grabbed my plate and started to wash it. I grabbed my bag from near the door, filled with everything I needed for that night. I brushed my teeth and crawled into bed, hoping the future looked brighter than my past.
The processof being hired took more time than I would have liked. Background checks and drug tests took time to process. You’d think I’d applied for a job other than cable installer, but I guess everyone wanted to be safe. I spent my evenings at the club, as my mom liked to call it. It was a bar that required membership to enter and be able to enjoy the food and drinks. I fell into old habits and spent my evenings drinking with my mom’s friends and listening to their stories. It helped fill my nights with something other than loneliness.
The small town didn’t have much to do, and the club was packed every night. The bartender was decent-looking and kept flirting with me. I tried to ignore it because the last thing I needed in my life was another woman to fuck it up. I needed to not put my dick in her. My mom worked here, and I wanted to be able to show my face in this place for the near future. I walked up to the bar, and she had a drink waiting for me. I leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “I can’t.”
She looked at me funny, “Can’t what?”
“I can’t sleep with you. I just want to put it out there. It’s not that you’re not hot, but I just can’t. My mom works here, and it wouldn’t be right.”
“It’s okay, darling. I just like flirting with you.” She began to wipe the counter as I picked up my drink. “You’re at least twenty years younger than any other man in this place.”
I laughed and looked around. We were the youngest people in here. I guess I read into it a little more than I needed to. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to think I was leading you on, Cara.” I read her name tag before speaking.
“It’s okay. I love your mom, and she’s told me a lot about you. Sounds like you’ve had a rough time lately.”
“Yeah, you can say that.” Fuck, was my mom airing my dirty laundry all over the place?
“Go enjoy your drink. I’m here if you ever need to talk. I can keep a secret, too,” she said as she winked at me.
“Thanks, Cara. I’ll remember that.” I walked away and sat back down with the small group of my mother’s friends. I felt like they were my new family. They welcomed me and talked to me like they’d known me my entire life. I never felt like an outsider, but one of them instead.
