22. Melanie #2
“Don’t you Bettie me,” the woman at my side says sharply.
I look over at her, noticing the familiar coloring and the way her mouth has pulled into a tight line.
I immediately know who she is, even though we’ve never officially met.
“You’ve been a nasty girl for the past fifteen years, and it’s time someone called you on your behavior. Enough is enough.”
“This has nothing to do with you,” Marcy says stiffly, her eyes flicking around the cafe, probably regretting whatever choices led to her confronting me here.
“You made it everyone’s business when you accosted Melanie in a public place,” Bettie counters, her narrow stare never leaving Marcy. “Did you know I was on the PTA?” she says conversationally. “It was a few years ago now, but I loved being involved with my children’s schools.”
Marcy’s eyes flick derisively in my direction. “Maybe you should be directing this conversation to Mellie,” she says scornfully. “She clearly thinks she’s too good to volunteer her help for our children’s school.”
“Well, why would she? I wouldn’t want to work alongside the whore sleeping with my husband either.” It takes a long second for the words to hit, and then Marcy lets out a horrified noise right as someone else guffaws, clapping their hands.
“Let ’er have it, Bettie!”
“Well, someone needed to say it,” someone else calls.
“Suprised she’s brave enough to step outside her house, honestly. The shame of it.”
The door to the kitchen swings open, and Jamie storms out and around the counter with a face like thunder, coming to stand at my other side. Marcy doesn’t register her at first, her offended gaze on Bettie.
“That’s slanderous!” she cries out. “You can’t say stuff like that to me!”
“Why not?” Jamie demands curtly. “It’s true.
You knew Davis was married when you went after him, and maybe people would have let that be.
No one likes getting involved in dirty business.
But we like Melanie, and you coming after her like this?
” She shakes her head, pointing a finger toward the door.
“No way. Get the hell out of my shop. You’re officially banned. ”
“B-banned?” Marcy’s looking around wildly, as if someone might step in to rescue her, but no one moves a muscle. “I haven’t done anything wrong.” It’s weak, and Bettie acts like she didn’t say a word.
“And you can bet your ugly pants that I’ll be speaking to the school board this afternoon.
The fact that you’ve been allowed to keep your position this long is bad enough, but this behavior?
We don’t want your kind around our impressionable children, Marcy.
Especially when your own child’s behavior has been proving problematic.
” She shakes her head, expression sad. “Now, don’t get me wrong.
We don’t blame an innocent child, especially when she’s only using what her mother has taught her.
Some people just shouldn’t be parents.” Bettie sniffs.
Marcy finally realizes she’s overplayed her hand and takes a shaking step back before whirling on her heel, storming out the door without another word.
It feels anticlimactic as everyone starts talking to each other at once, turning back to their drinks and food, dissecting the scene that just played out in front of them. I look from Bettie to Jamie, shocked when tears fill my eyes.
“Thank you.”
Jamie takes my arm. “I’ve got to go before my muffins burn, but I’ve got your back, Mel. Especially against a viper like that.” She pats me gently and then disappears. I turn to face Bettie, who’s giving me a shrewd look.
“Let’s step outside and get some fresh air,” she declares. “We don’t need to give those nosy nancies any more of a show than they’ve already had.” She takes my arm gently and leads me outside, pulling me off to the side of the door. “Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” I repeat, bewildered. “I feel like I should be asking Marcy that.”
Bettie’s mouth twitches before she presses into a firm line.
“That woman had it coming. The nerve of her, causing a scene like that.” She huffs out a breath before her expression smooths out.
“This wasn’t exactly how I wanted to meet you, but here we are.
My name’s Bettie Evans. It’s nice to meet you, Melanie.
” She holds out a hand, and I take it, feeling an odd kind of numbness settle over me.
“You’re Cale and Jaz’s mother.”
Her eyes brighten. “Yes, I am! And you’re Oakley’s mother.” I blink, and she smiles. “I don’t know why that surprises you. I don’t think there’s a single person in my family who hasn’t told me about you and your son. I feel like I already know you.”
Realization slithers down my spine. “Jaz has become a good friend,” I tell her. “And Lanie is a wonderful girl.”
Bettie’s smile widens. “Interesting that you’d think they were the main culprits.” Her amusement fades away, leaving her looking solemn. “Jaz has a big mouth, so I know what my son did, Melanie. I’m sorry for that.”
“You don’t need to apologize for him,” I protest.
She silences me with a firm look. “You’ll learn this one day when Oakley is older, but the urge to correct your child’s mistakes never goes away.
Cale…He’s always been an impulsive boy, and not always in touch with his feelings.
His stints in the military didn’t help any, although you’d never be able to convince him of that.
” She rolls her eyes so hard, I’m sure she must be looking at her brain.
“Just like his father, thinking he’s perfectly healthy because his mouth is running. ”
I snort before I can stop myself, and Bettie grins. “Well, anyway, I wanted to meet you a long time ago, but Cale”—she growls his name—“mucked that all up with his big mouth. Enough about him. I’d like to formally invite you to dinner. You and Oakley.”
I wet my lips, uncertainty filling me. “Bettie—”
“Not to worry, Cale is not invited. Jaz and Lanie will be there.” She leans forward, confiding, “They still haven’t moved out, and I can’t exactly tell them to fend for themselves for a night.
But Lanie really likes Oakley, and I’ve already made plans to confiscate Cale’s gaming machine for the evening. ”
The idea of Cale not being invited and Bettie taking his console fills me with the petty kind of joy, and my mouth curls into a helpless smile. “You know what, Bettie? That sounds wonderful.”
“Good. Tonight, then.” She looks so damn pleased with herself, and I shake my head, chuckling.
“Tonight is perfect.” A thought occurs to me. “Actually, I have a favor to ask you, Bettie.” Her brows lift as she watches me dig through my bag, pulling out the crumpled envelope hiding in there. “I need this delivered.”