Chapter 12 #2
“She just—she just arrived. To tell me she’s divorced from my father. For eighteen months. And she’s reunited with her high school sweetheart, and they’re getting married.”
“Huh. Okay, well, that’s unexpected.”
“I should have known something was weird when she mailed me those ornaments.”
He scanned her face. Whatever he saw there made him reach for her hand. He didn’t say anything for a beat.
“Do you want me to go?” Jason asked.
“No. Come in. Meet her,” Mauve said.
He picked up the bag and the bottle and followed her into the kitchen.
“Mom. This is Jason Hayes. Jason, this is my mother, Cynthia.”
Her mother stood, smoothing her sweater as her gaze swept over Jason. “Oh my. Hello. I watch your show every season. I had no idea … that you were friends with my daughter.”
“He grew up here,” Mauve said, as if that summed everything up perfectly.
“Mrs. Callahan, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jason said, holding out his hand.
“Cynthia, please. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“I’m sorry I’m interrupting your visit. But I won’t stay.” He set the bag on the counter. “I picked up some soup and bread for dinner. I’ll just leave that here for you two.”
“That’s kind of you, but I can’t stay for dinner. David’s waiting at the inn.”
Jason and Mauve exchanged a glance.
“I’ll walk you out,” Mauve said to Jason.
“It was nice to meet you, Cynthia,” Jason said. “I hope I’ll get to see you again.”
“I hope so too,” Cynthia said.
She walked him to the door. On the porch he hesitated, his hand on the railing. “Are you okay?”
“In shock.”
“I can imagine. Who is David?”
“Her fiancé.”
“Wow, okay.”
“I’ll tell you about it later.”
“I’m a phone call away. Let me know if you need anything. I can be back in a flash. Or meet you wherever. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“I know,” Mauve said. For now.
He kissed her quickly and headed down the stairs and across the frosty driveway to his car.
She stood in the doorway and watched him drive away. She didn’t realize she had her hand pressed against her sternum until she heard her mother’s voice behind her.
“You’re dating Jason Hayes?”
Mauve closed the door behind her and turned to face her mother. “It’s just a … a fling. A blip. He leaves at the end of the month to film a movie.”
“And you’re not going with him?”
“He asked me to. But I said no. I can’t give up my life to chase a man. Not again.”
“Is that what you’re afraid of?”
“How could I not be? He’s a famous, very handsome actor. I’m a speech therapist in a small town. Those two things don’t go together.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
“Are you in love?”
“We are,” Mauve said. “For now.”
“Interesting.”
Mauve ignored that and left for the kitchen, returning with their tea. She switched on the fireplace and they settled on the couch.
“This really is a nice home you’ve made for yourself, honey. I’m proud of you. It wasn’t easy, I’m sure, to start over.”
“I’ve had Reese.” She shrugged. “But yeah, it was hard.”
“How did you meet Jason?”
Mauve told her the story about how they’d met last Christmas and hit it off. “His twin is now married to Reese.”
“How fun.” Cynthia’s eyes glittered with mischief. “Very romantic. Two brothers married to two best friends.”
“But we’re not going to get married.”
“Because you don’t want to give all your power over to a man?”
“That’s correct.”
“So you’ll just let him go.”
“Yes.”
“I know a little about that—thinking the man you love will never be yours to have for real. That’s how I felt about David, so I let him go. I could have fought. Made compromises. He wanted me to come to college with him, but I couldn’t leave my mom. I actually wanted to go to beauty school.”
“You did?” Who was this woman?
“I did. But I chose duty over my own dreams. Your grandmother needed me. Then your dad. And then you girls. I’m sorry you didn’t get to see what a good marriage looks like.
I’m sorry that when Chris told you to stop working and to make yourself small that you didn’t have anyone to act as a role model. That’s on me. And my cowardly choices.”
“Putting other people first is not cowardice, Mom.”
“I let him go too easily. I’d hate to see you do the same.”
“It’s different,” Mauve said.
“I don’t think so. You two look at each other like David and I once did.” She smiled. “Like we do now, actually.”
“Tell me more, Mom. What happened exactly?”
“I wasn’t even sure I’d go to the reunion.
I didn’t think he’d be there. He’d never come to any of the others.
But I don’t know if it was a sixth sense or what, but a few days before I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, good God, you look a thousand years old.
So I booked an appointment at the salon.
And my friend Ethel took me shopping. We found the most fabulous dress. ”
“And you went.”
“That’s right. And he was there. David. The boy I’d once loved so much it hurt.
He looked at me from across the room and, I swear, it was as if no time had passed.
I mean, he was older, obviously. But his eyes.
They were the same. And his smile too. He strode over to me, this look on his face of … determination, I guess you’d say.”
Despite her shock, Mauve found herself intrigued by the story. “What was the first thing he said to you?”
Cynthia fanned her eyes with her left hand. “It makes me cry. He said, ‘I’ve been thinking about you since 1985, wondering how in the world I ever let you get away.’”
“Oh, wow. That’s a good opening.”
“Right?”
“What did you say back to him?”
“I didn’t even think about it. I just said, I’ve been thinking the same thing about you. And that was it. We found a corner and started talking and haven’t stopped since.”
“That’s like Jason and me.” She told her mom how she’d gone out to L.A. and they’d spent a magical week together. “We agreed to part ways, but then we couldn’t stop calling or texting each other.”
“You’re really going to let him walk out of your life?”
“It seems doomed. His work. My choice to live here.”
“Utter nonsense.”
She stared at her mother. She’d never once seen her so confident, so sure of her own opinion.
“Listen to me, honey. Learn from my mistakes. If you love him, don’t let him go. Make compromises. Don’t be like me. Choosing the safe route. Assuming a small life is all you get. That big love is meant for everyone but you. Is it really worth losing him to keep your job?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it? You were burned by Chris, and you don’t want to risk it again. So you’re choosing to be safe, instead of open to love. It’s a rare thing to feel that way about someone. Don’t waste it because you’re afraid to get hurt.”
“Getting over what Chris did to me—the way he took over my life and then dumped me for a newer model—was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I rebuilt my life here in Sugarville Grove.
One day at a time. I have a wonderful job.
My little house that I’m so proud of. My best friend.
Thinking of following another man leaves me more than afraid, Mom. I’m terrified.”
Her mother’s expression softened. “I understand. And I’m by no means saying you should enter into a relationship where the power dynamics are unequal. I did that for the entirety of my marriage to your father.”
“How do you know it’ll be different with David?” Mauve asked. “What if you’re moving into his house only to have the same thing happen again?”
“It won’t. Not this time. We know what it’s like to be without each other. We’re willing to work through whatever comes up. Communicate. He’s wonderful that way. He’s said more to me in the months we’ve been together than your father probably said in a decade.”
“I never thought I’d hear you talking about power dynamics,” Mauve said with a rueful smile. “Are you really sure about this guy?”
“I’m sure.”
Mauve took another long look at her mother. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“We can stay for Christmas, if you’d like us to. David booked the inn through Christmas.”
“But don’t you want to get started with your new life? Your new home?”
“It can wait. I’d rather spend time with you.”
“That’s really nice, Mom.”
“One thing to tell you—before you meet him. His full name’s David Davidson.”
Mauve laughed. “For real?”
“His parents were eccentric.”
“Doctor David Davidson. That’s a mouthful.”
“Isn’t it, though?” Cynthia’s eyes turned a light shade of dreamy blue. “He used to get teased about it in school, but he never cared. He’s always known who he is without needing any outside reassurance. I loved that about him when we were young. Still do.”
“Will you have dinner with us tomorrow night?” Cynthia asked. “David really wants to meet you.”
“I want to meet him too. We can meet at The Moose. Local fare. Local crowd. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like here.”
“Maybe bring Jason with you?” Her mother smiled innocently. “If you’d like to?”
“I’ll ask him.”
“Great. Now, I should get going. Does seven work for dinner?” Cynthia asked.
“Yes, I’ll be there.” Suddenly, a need for a hug overwhelmed Mauve. She held out her arms and her mother came to her, wrapping her into an embrace just like she had when Mauve was small and frightened. She told herself, everything’s going to be all right. Her mom was here.