Page 37 of Mafia Captor

“Yeah. Man, Ashe knows so much about houses and spreadsheets and stuff and as you’ve both told me—too many times—I needed help.”

“He really did. I was happy to provide it. I just knew this was where I was meant to be. It took a few weeks for us to finally agree to terms and get me moved out here, but with this job in the works, I told Sailor we should remain friends. It’s just too far from the city and wouldn’t really be a good way to start a relationship, long distance. Don’t you agree, Mrs. Sullivan?”

Nice job, Ashe. The girl could get an Oscar for her performance.

Ma replies, “I always say, you need a good partner right by your side to get through this madness we call life.” She looks up at the sky, leaving us for a moment. An uncomfortable silence falls over our trio. Coming back to us, she dabs at the corners of her eyes with her napkin. “God, I miss my husband.”

A lump wells in my throat. “Ma, don’t cry.”

Ashely sees the clouds coming and breaks them up with a ray of her sunshine. “We’d all be so lucky to find a love like that in our lifetime. Tell me—what did you love most about him?” Ashely leans in, hanging on my mom’s words as Ma pours her heart out about my father.

With Ma recovered, Ashe gives a contented sigh, looking around my backyard. The sun’s gone now, our light the soft glow from the twinkling globes hanging over our heads. “This place is so beautiful.”

Ma nods in agreement. “It just needs one thing—”

“It needs a water feature,” Ashely says.

“Oh. My. God.” My mother turns to me, her face moving as slow as honey dripping down the side of a jar. She locks eyes with me, like she’s seen a ghost. “That’s exactly what I’ve been telling Boston for years.”

“Have you? He should have mentioned it to me. It’s a fantastic idea. It’s so peaceful out here. A little flowing creek with flowers planted along the side of it or one of those low walls with a constant waterfall streaming over stones.”

Mom gives an emphatic nod. “Exactly, like a mini moat defining the space.”

“Ooh, mini moat. I love that.” She holds her glass up to meet my mom’s. They clink in cheers. “I have a landscape architect in the city I trust. I’d like to contact her in the morning. Leave your email with me and I’ll send over the drawings when I get them back.”

“Email?” Ma looks positively fearful.

I wait for Ashely to gawk at Ma, wondering how she’s gotten through this decade without the internet.

Instead, Ashely says, “You know what? There’s nothing like holding the actual drawings in your hands, is there? Since Boston seems disinterested in our little project, would it be okay if I just have the final plans sent over to you for approval before we start work?”

Ma beams. “I’d love that.”

Miss House Manager turns to me. “Boston, are you okay with that?”

This girl is unreal. She’s not even supposed to be out here. Now she and Ma are planning a moat. “Sure. Whatever you ladies think is best.”

“Alright. We have a plan.” The women clink glasses again and move on to more improvements they want to make. I let them, enjoying my drink and the night breeze.

Lopsy, my old basset, comes loping over. She plops down beside me, making the moment perfect. I scratch behind her ear, resting. Having Ashe here with us takes some of the pressure off me to make conversation with Ma. It’s a nice change.

There’s only so much speculative marriage and baby talk I can take.

But this? This is nice.

We have one more glass of champagne, then decide it’s time to retire to our rooms. Ashely bids us goodnight, going ahead of us, I presume to give us some space to say goodnight. As the kitchen door closes behind Ashely, Ma grabs me by the arm. “Boston, wait.”

“What’s up?” I wait. Lopsy pauses her trot, relaxing by my side while we watch Ma wrestle her massive purse.

Lopsy looks up at me with her big, sad eyes. She thinks Ma is extra. I can’t blame her. The dog’s got a good read on people.

Ma digs deep, her purse rattling as she peers into its dark cavern. “Hang on. It’s in here somewhere.”

She’s piqued my interest. Has she finally brought me the title to my father’s car? A flicker of hope lights in my chest.

“Ah! Here it is!” She holds a little white box in the air, victorious in her quest. She hands me the box, a look of high anticipation on her face. “Open it already!”

I snap open the lid. My stomach drops to my feet.

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