Covet - Eve Vaughn Page 0,48
job at it. It was half an hour past the time she was supposed to arrive before my mother came sauntering inside dressed to the nines. If nothing else could be said about her, she never left the house looking nothing but her absolute best. Her designer skirt suit combo seemed tailored just for her, and I could tell her hair was freshly done by the way her silver curls glisten. Make up expertly, done, she could actually pass for an older sister rather than my parent.
I didn’t know why my mother never remarried because she never seemed to be short of male attention. She smiled as she made it to our table and leaned over to kiss me on the cheek just enough not to smear her lips stick. “How are you, darling? I’m so sorry I’m late but I wanted to look my absolute best for my son. I had an appointment with Mr. Maurice, and one simply does not rush Mr. Maurice.” She fluffed her hair with a smile as she waited by her chair.
I hoped to my feet and went to pull out the chair for her. “My apologies.”
“I was wondering where your manners were.”
“I suppose I have a lot on my mind.”
“Hmm, well, you’re forgiven this time.” She looked around. “It looks as if they’ve redecorated this place since I’ve been here last. I’m glad they changed that dreadful wallpaper.” She reached across the table and touched my hand. “I’m so happy that we can get together like this. It’s been so tough since…well, you know. I feel so lonely without him.”
“But Kenny hadn’t lived with you for a couple years. He’d moved out of the house when he got married.” I don’t know why I needed to point that out, but something seemed off about my mother today, and I didn’t know what it was. Everyone grieved in different ways, but my mother loved saying how sad she was about my brother’s passing, but it was hard to tell if she wasn’t actually talking about it. It could have been a situation where she was putting on a good front to cover her emotions, but I wasn’t so sure. Maybe it was all in my head.
The smile that had curved her lips fell. “I don’t know why you enjoy hurting me, Nicholas. As far as I’m concerned, that marriage was null and void. That woman took advantage of my poor sweet baby, and she ended up killing him. I should have fought harder to rescue him from that bitch. I swear to God I will kill her if I see her again.” There was a low threatening timber to her voice that made me realize she meant every word of what she was saying.
I was playing a dangerous game with Frankie staying in my house. If my mother were to find out she was staying in my house, she would have a fit.
“Well, it’s not likely you’ll see her again.”
“Hmm, I should hope not. You know, honey, I was thinking, I live in that big house all by myself, and I get so lonely…”
I stiffened hoping she wouldn’t suggest me moving back in with her or her moving in with me, so I preempted her by saying, “Well I could come visit more and keep you company, and maybe you might consider joining a support group for parents who have recently lost a child.”
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively before grabbing a menu. “I don’t want to sit in a room listening to a bunch of other people cry. Besides, they didn’t know my Kenny, so they couldn’t possibly understand how I feel.”
“Mom, it’s a support group. I’m sure they have an idea of what you’re going through. They even have specific groups for parents who lost children with special needs.”
My mother looked up from her menu. “No, thank you. As I said, I’m not interested. Besides, I didn’t finish what I was saying before you rudely interrupted me.”
“My apologies for offering a suggestion make things better for you.”
“Your sarcasm is not necessary, young man. You may be an adult, but I’m still your mother.”
I grabbed my water glass and took a gulp to keep myself from making a retort.
“Anyway, since, I’m alone in that house all by myself, I was thinking of maybe fostering some children. Maybe children with special needs. So many of those little darlings need homes too, and I have so much love to give.”
This was the