Page 32 of Forever Fickle

Karen was actually a little nervous coming in today because of something Firefly had said yesterday regarding Alpo… her boss. He claimed the other man was very protective, almost like an overbearing dad, and she really didn’t want to have whatever-this-was starting between her and Jace announced publicly.

It was bad enough when Firefly had said, ‘You and Hot Cakes?’…

She’d cringed.

It was also raining cats and dogs outside. Which meant that she would be nearly trapped inside all day long instead of taking breaks to go bask in the sun for a bit and get some fresh air. It was just a downpour, and they would be listening to the weather all day for lightning… which would cancel any flights.

Which meant that she and Jace wouldn’t be flying again either… making her wonder what he was up to. She wouldn’t ask, wouldn’t remind him, and certainly wouldn’t press him for more…

She just thought it was ironic that last night her mom had called – causing her to cringe yet again as the phone call replayed in her mind.

“Hey baby. How’s my pretty girl doing?”

“Hey mom… I’m fine,” Karen sighed. “What are you up to?”

“Oh well, your Daddy and I went to the casino yesterday and he won a small jackpot. Can you believe it? Your Daddy has all the luck…”

“He did?” she asked, stunned.

“Yup. It was one of those ratcheting games where the diamonds jump after the spin is finished. One of the diamonds jumped up, and he won the little jackpot of three hundred and fifty-five dollars… now, we spent almost two hundred to win that – but we still came home ahead.”

“That’s great,” Karen said easily. “I’m happy you and Dad got out and had some fun.”

“It was definitely different. We never make the haul up to Winstar, but we got up, had breakfast together, played for a few hours, and then went to dinner. It was just like we were dating again, you know?”

“That’s so sweet, mom…” Karen replied, smiling.

“We are going to be grilling on Saturday and your brother is making ribs. Emily is going to bring the deviled eggs, and I wanted to see if you could maybe bring a pie or cake.”

“Mom… I…”

“Karen,” her mother said firmly. “It’s your nephew’s birthday and you will be here for dinner, young lady.”

“Yes ma’am,” she whispered immediately, falling into place. “I forgot it was Johnny’s birthday and appreciate the reminder.”

“You’ve been busy working that extra job – and I don’t know why you take on things like that instead of just enjoying some downtime.”

“Mom, I don’t want to stare at four walls all day, bored and alone.”

“If you were dating someone, you wouldn’t be alone and maybe I wouldn’t worry so much…”

Karen sighed and closed her eyes painfully – knowing the twenty-minute speech that was coming following that sentence. It would rehash how meeting her father changed her mother’s life, what fulfillment having a child and a family would bring her, and how much joy she’s had over the years seeing them grow… and then harping on-and-on about grandbabies.

“Mom, just because I’m quiet about my private life…”

“Is there someone?”

“No… well… no,” Karen hedged.

“Karen Marie Marks!” her mother began, nearly blowing out her eardrum at the explanation.

All three names.

Uh oh.

“Mom it’s nothing,” Karen began in a rush, almost pleading, knowing exactly how badly this would explode in her face. She would never forget going to junior prom with her friend from Spanish class.

Gosh, her mother made such a scene about him showing up without a corsage – when Karen had invited him simply, so she didn’t have to go alone.

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