You Don't Want To Know - By Lisa Jackson Page 0,67
slide show on the phone’s small screen.
Ava leaned across the table. “They’re so big.”
“Bella’s nine and Brent just turned seven. Already in first grade. She’s in fourth and has a boyfriend if you could call it that. You know when one of her friends whispers that some boy likes you and then all of the sudden they’re quote ‘going’? I ask, ‘Going where?’ and she just looks at me as if I’m from another planet. But nine. Really? A boyfriend? Isn’t that the time you’re still hating the opposite sex?” She shook her head. “So now I get to monitor the TV and the computer or before I know it she’ll be quoting one of those ridiculous reality stars.”
Flipping through a few more pictures, Tanya said, “Here’s a recent one of Brent, who, wouldn’t you know, wants to be a cowboy.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Like his dad,” Ava said, and looked at a picture of Brent wearing a Stetson that was at least three sizes too big and what appeared to be a brand-new pair of cowboy boots.
Tanya scowled. “Anything but that.” She moved through the rest of the pictures quickly, showing off images of Bella dancing or riding on a boat or playing soccer, while Brent was with a mottle-colored dog, or on a horse, or looking so small in a football uniform. “I’m not big on this, either. I think he’s waaaay too young, but Russ paid for the sport and supposedly it’s not tackle and I don’t know. It’s hard raising kids these days . . .”
The minute the words were out of her mouth, she pulled a face and looked contrite. “God, Ava. I’m sorry. I’m so dumb sometimes!”
“No, it’s okay,” Ava said quickly, but it was a relief when the waitress appeared with their drink orders, saying their meals would be there in a few minutes. She turned her attention to another booth, where a couple was so in love, they’d squeezed into the same side and were making cute little jokes about tossing coins into the fountain painted onto the wall next to their seating area.
“Young lust,” Tanya said, and the moment passed.
“So, how are you and Russ getting along?”
“Let’s see . . . He’s an ass. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. Marrying him was kind of a rebound thing, you know, after Trent. Russ knew all about how I felt about Trent, and he never seemed to believe that I was over him.” She twirled her straw in her drink. “Maybe he was right. I mean, Trent . . . he’s . . . got ‘it,’ whatever that is.” Her ice cubes danced as she added, “I saw him the other day, you know.”
“Who?”
“Trent. He was here. In town. Well, at the marina.”
“Really? I know he’s here now. Ian said so and was going to meet him, but when I talked to him on the phone, he never mentioned being in Anchorville.”
“Okay,” she said with a shrug.
“You’re sure you didn’t see Ian?” Ava questioned.
“I can tell the difference,” Tanya said with a snort. “I dated Trent for over a year and he was my first, you know. I’d never done it with anyone before. So, yeah, I think I can tell him apart from his twin. It’s not like they’re identical.”
“They look a lot alike.”
She lifted a shoulder, unconvinced.
“You talked to him?”
Tanya shook her head. “Nah. I was surprised to see him and didn’t look my best and”—she grimaced—“I should have said hi or something.” More rapid twirling of her straw. “And he was such a big presence in my marriage, you know, I figured I’d leave it be. Russell and I are still arguing about money and . . . even though just talking to Trent might not lead to anything, it might get back to Russ and fan all those old jealous fires.” She gave a mock shudder. Then she looked back at Ava again, focused on the here and now. “I know it shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t let anything Russ does change my life, and I try not to, believe me. But he’s still the father of my kids and I still have to deal with him. It’s just easier sometimes if I don’t rock the boat.”
“Come on, you have a life to live, too. You can’t let Russ control you. That’s emotional blackmail.”
“Maybe.” She shot Ava a look. “So tell Trent to call me when you see him.”