Burning Muses (Muse & Music #1) - J. R. Rogue Page 0,5
a nice guy to settle down with.”
I tripped over the sidewalk curb and aimed an annoyed set of eyes at her. “I seriously doubt there is anyone in Missouri I would like to date. I just got out of a relationship. And mom, this isn’t the fifties. There is no certain age I need to be married by. That’s the way small little towns like this are, but not where I live. Too many people settle here. They settle for about anyone who will have them. It’s sad. I’m not doing that crap. There is a whole big world out there with millions of people from which to choose. I don’t need anyone to take care of me so I’ll get married when I want.” My voice was a little loud, and a lot defensive.
“You know I don’t believe women need to marry young. I didn’t. I’m just saying though, I’d like to see you as happy as I am.”
“No men right now.” It was a reminder for her as well as myself.
“Well anyways. I hope you end up staying through summer. I miss you so much. Everyone does.”
“How are you feeling about this school year coming to an end? No more teaching.” I still couldn’t believe she was retiring. I had always assumed she would continue until she was white haired and arch-backed.
“I’m ready. I’m emotional, too. It’s hard.” She waived her hand in the air absently. I knew the sign. She was more upset than she let on. “Now why did I see only one small suitcase in your hand? Are you going to wear the same outfit over and over?”
“Look who you’re talking to. C’mon, Mom, seriously. No, I plan to go shopping as soon as possible. It was easier than lugging a bunch of my stuff down here. I’ll hit the mall as soon as I get settled. And I did some online shopping before I left. A bunch of boxes should be arriving soon. You know me and retail therapy.”
“Oh yes, Dear, you’ve never grown out of that one. And about Grandma and Grandpa’s, I need to tell you something. We have someone living there.”
“Who?” I stopped at the back of my mother’s car.
“Andrew’s friend, Chace. They have been attached at the hip ever since they were kids. Remember the one I told you lived with us his senior year? You’ve heard me talk about him. The one who was living with us for quite a while.” I stared back with a blank face, not knowing who she meant. “Anyways, I told you the house needed work. And the landscaping is downright scary. He is taking care of all of that, on top of his job and schoolwork. I promise you will have quiet time out there. He is going to school to be a teacher.”
“Oh, you must love him then,” I laughed, making my way for the passenger door.
“He is a fine young man,” my mother replied as she got behind the wheel. “I wish Andrew would take after him more.”
My stepbrother, Andrew, was not exactly on the ‘right track’ in life. After flunking out of his freshman year of college at USC, he moved back home, quickly getting a job at one of the local furniture factories. Six months later, he was fired from that job and spent the next four months unemployed. From what I heard, he was now doing construction for a father of one of his high school friends. Growing up didn’t seem to be a priority of his. I loved him dearly though. Despite our seven-year age difference, I still considered him as close as any blood relative I had.
“That would be nice,” I replied, not wanting to dwell too much on the subject. He would figure it out. I hoped.
“If you need Chace to help you with anything around the house I know he would be more than happy to. He is just a good kid. He went to Lowe’s with me last week and helped pick out all the flowers for the front of the house. I believe they are actually delivering all of those today.”
“I bet Paul is glad to get out of that duty.” My stepfather never got in the way of my mother’s projects but he tried to get out of helping at all costs.
“Oh, yes. You know he never much cared for decorating or any of the house stuff.”
“Well, I’m already loving seeing all of this wide open space. And the woods. I