Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
NASH
“ W ell, isn’t this cozy?” A voice said from the front door. I turned and looked at a woman I hadn’t seen in two years.
“Mom?” I said as I stood and walked over to her. “What brings you to town?” I closed my arms and stood in her line of vision of the people in my living room.
“I heard you’ve got some little ladies I’d like to meet.” She smiled sweetly and for one split second I saw the woman who’d raised me. The woman who at one time loved me, or pretended to love me. “Being a grandma is something I never thought I’d ever be.” She smiled and put her hands on my face. “I’m so proud of you, son.”
“Can you be civil?” I arched my brow and watched her eyes to see if she was lying.
“Of course I can. I also want you to meet someone.” She opened the door, and a man walked through. He was older than my mother, dressed to the nines, and I could tell his leather loafers hadn’t ever touched ranch property before. “Nash, I’d like you to meet my new husband, Desmond Tucker.” She beamed up at him and wrapped her arm around his.
“Hi.” I held my hand out, and he looked at it like it was covered with cow manure before he finally relented to sharing it. He shook hands like he was a wet noodle. “I’m Violet’s son, Nash.” Irritation flashed through the man’s eyes as he side eyed my mother. It was odd. Had she not told him she had a son?
I watched his eyes gaze at the room. It was like he was sizing up my house before he looked back at me. “Nice to meet you.” His voice was flat, and face blank, expressionless and evil. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I turned to look at Kipp and gave him our signal. Many wouldn’t even see it. I tapped my fingers in a sequence on my leg and I watched his eyes shoot from me to the man beside my mother.
Kipp stood and walked over to stand beside me. “Violet, it’s been too long.” His voice was unassuming, and his smile appeared genuine.
“Kipp, it’s so good to see you.” My mother’s syrupy sweet voice sang as she moved to him to hug him. “My hubby.” She smiled as Kipp held his hand out to the man. Desmond bristled at the word hubby, and I didn’t blame him. The word made me irritated. How hard was it to add two more letters and say husband? Kipp nodded to the man. And that’s where it ended .
“We were just sitting down to supper.” I left it open. I didn’t want to offer, but I didn’t want to kick them out.
“Do you have room for two more?” My mother’s eyes were hopeful, and her smile sincere.
“Of course we do,” Fallon said, as she walked up beside me. She put her arm around my waist and stood by my side, the way it should be.
I watched my mother’s eyes go from Fallon to her arm around me and they flashed with anger. It was something I’d seen many times in my life, and it was unmistakable. But what could have possibly caused that reaction from her?
Josie ran out of the kitchen and wrapped her arms around my leg. Bending down, I scooped her up and held her in my arms. “Mom, this is Josie.”
“I two,” she said proudly, holding out her hand and showing two fingers. “Who’s you?”
“Josie, this is Violet,” I said, making it clear that she hadn’t earned the right to be called Grandma.
“Josie, it’s so nice to finally meet you. Even though I knew nothing about you until yesterday.” She quipped, and Josie frowned at her before looking at me. I rubbed my daughter’s back, knowing she didn’t understand what my mother had said, but the tone was snarky. “What about the other one?” She arched her brow. And I wanted to toss her out of my house now.
“Lottie is sleeping, so you’ll have to wait to meet her. ”
“I could just pop into her room.” My mother, the charmer, batted her eyes and smiled sweetly.
“No, she’s a light sleeper. Come on, Violet, we’ll set two more places.” Fallon looked up at me and smiled. It wasn’t a cheerful smile, it was an I’ve got your back gesture.
The woman I loved led us all back into the dining room and Julie had already changed the seating arrangement, and smiled as my mother walked in the room. They’d used to be the best of friends, but if there was one thing Julie Miller couldn’t abide, it was abandoning family. She’d be pleasant, and treat my mother well, but the second she walked out the door, she’d go back to hating the woman. That was the loyalty you got from Julie when you were someone she thought of as family.
My mother froze in the doorway when she saw my father. Wanda turns and her face goes dark with anger. This might not have been a good idea. “Violet.” Pop nodded as he moved Wanda to his side, snaking his hand around her waist and pulling her tightly to him. Wanda looked over at my father and smiled. It was like it was the reassurance she needed.
“Let’s not prolong this meal. Nora, this is Nash’s mom, Violet and her husband, Desmond,” Fallon said, smiling tightly. Nora smiled and greeted them both politely. Even though she didn’t know what went on, I knew Nora so well I could see she wasn’t impressed with my mother being here. This was the solidarity that I’d expected from family, and while I never imagined I’d have it, I had a table full of people ready to stand in front of me if I needed them to.
“Julie, who is that man beside you?” My mother asked as she took her seat.
Fallon’s mom looked at Phil and beamed as she did. “This is Phil. He’s my partner.” Phil put his arm over the back of Julie’s chair and rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Well, isn’t that surprising? I never dreamed you’d ever move on from Miller.” Violet shook her head, and reached for her wine.
“I don’t think it’s moving on as much as making room for someone else,” Phil said flatly, not even trying to hide his irritation.
Violet set down her glass. “Well, I moved on,” she said, reaching for Desmond’s hand. She grasped it, but he just left it resting limply on the table.
My father and Wanda didn’t take the bait. They gave each other a side glance and carried on, passing the food around the table.
The silence was deafening in the house. I’m not sure there was anything more awkward than this meal.
My mother’s husband looked like he was eating glass with every bite he took. Violet just pushed food around her plate. “Wanda, I hear you’re working for Alfred in that ramshackle coffee shop.” Again, she picked up her glass of wine and took a long sip.
Wanda pasted a smile on her face and set her fork down. “Actually, I don’t work for Fred. We’re partners and work together, as a supportive spouse should.” She locked eyes with Violet as she clasped my father’s hand in hers.
Resting my elbow on the table, I rubbed my forehead with my fingers, taking long slow breaths, trying to stop the bubble of laughter from trying to escape. Wanda had schooled my mother without losing the smile on her face.
“Vi, I think we should go.” Desmond quipped as he pushed his chair back from the table. She looked up at him with confusion on her face. “I have work to do.” He added, before looking around the table.
“Oh, yes, of course darling, you’re such a busy man. I completely forgot you had things to do.” She wiped her mouth with the napkin before she stood. “Thank you for supper. It was so lovely seeing everyone again.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Bye, Vi.” Josie called from her highchair before stuffing something else into her mouth. I pursed my lips together, knowing how much my mother had always hated being called Vi.
Fallon got up from the table, and showed them out like any well mannered, proper hostess would. I leaned against the doorway, arms folded and a scowl on my face.
It was as if the entire house let out a unified exhale when Fallon closed the door .
“Well, that was… something.” I sighed before flopping back down in my chair.
“It was more than something, son,” Pop said, putting his arm around the back of Wanda’s chair. “She’s here for a reason.” He looked over at me and his arched brow said more than the words he spoke.
He was probably right.