Every Kiss(85)

“Right now?” I look over at the clock on the wall.

“Any minute now. No offense, but I can’t believe it was you who set all of that up, especially after the way he’s acted.”

Makenna elbows him. “What was she like? Does he look like her?”

I think back to her kind smile, troubled eyes, and the ticking time bomb counting down the final days of her life. And all she wants is a few minutes with her son. Just the thought makes tears prick at my eyes. “She’s been through a lot in her life, but it doesn’t seem to have affected the way she treats people. She was very sweet to me, but it’s clear that she’s lived far too long with regret eating away at her soul. I think this will be healing for both of them. And yes, they do look a lot alike.”

Shane pulls out his phone and checks the screen. “Mom is supposed to call as soon as she hears from him.”

“I don’t want to know. Unless it turns out really good. Okay, and if it turns out bad. I might want to hide out for a few days.” I press a hand to my stomach. “Why did I do this? I just had to get involved.”

“As always, you were being selfless and trying to help a friend. It’s what you do. And we love you for it.”

“Love you, too, Mak.” I drum my fingertips on the counter and look back over my shoulder at the clock again. “Wanna stay and watch a movie? It’ll help kill a couple of hours, and maybe before it’s over, we’ll hear how it all went.”

“Sounds perfect, but no musicals,” Makenna pleads. “If I have to watch any more characters dancing and singing their way through a plot, I swear I’m going to hurl.”

Sinking into the couch, Shane cranes his neck around to see me. “I’ve been making her watch my Gene Kelly collection. Needless to say, she’s not a fan. This may be a deal-breaker for me.”

“You watch Gene Kelly movies?” I point my finger at him accusingly.

He shrugs. “Yeah. So?”

“I love Singin’ in the Rain and Brigadoon. Just another reason why I love your mom.”

A sly grin breaks his stoic expression and he starts singing. “It’s almost like being . . .”

“In loooove!” I belt out dramatically.

“Seriously . . .” Makenna pretends to stick her finger down her throat. “I just don’t get the obsession with these old movies.”

“Classic movies,” I correct. “Don’t worry . . . hang around with us long enough, and we’ll convert you. Then you’ll be the one singing ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ from My Fair Lady.”

“What the hell’s a loverly?”

Shane and I just shake our heads and laugh. If she has to ask that question, we have our work cut out for us.

With Makenna’s blessing, I pop in the Mean Girls DVD and we all curl up together on the couch to watch it. Just an hour ago, we still weren’t talking, so I’m glad we’re finally past all of that. It seems weird that everything is all puppies and rainbows with us again, but that’s how it’s always been with us. No sense in dragging shit out when everyone is over it.

But no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to get into the movie. And I guess Shane can’t either. He keeps looking over Makenna’s head at me and checking his phone. I know he’s just as worried as I am about Wes’ meeting with Chesley. Trying to put myself in his situation, I don’t even know what I would say when I opened the door. “What’s up, Mom?” or “Whatcha been up to the last twenty-six years?” Yeah, umm, I hope he’s having better luck with that than I am.

My cell phone rings, and I have to turn on my side a bit to dig it out of my pocket. I stare at the number on the screen, not recognizing it. Probably the same telemarketer that wanted to sell me erectile enhancement products earlier today. I start to decline the call, but Shane startles me by reaching over and grabbing my hand.

“No, answer it. That’s Wes’ number.”

Well, I’ll be damned. Looks like he didn’t delete my number, after all.





“WES?”

“How’d you know it’s me?” His voice is soft. Deeper than usual.

“I didn’t, but Shane is here and told me it was you. Is everything okay?” Walking out of the room, I hold up a finger at Shane, whose questioning stare is boring into my skull.

“Not really. Look, uh, I know I told you that we couldn’t have anything to do with each other, and I want to apologize now for being an ass . . . again. I just don’t have anyone else that I can talk to about this. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course, I do. No matter what happens, I’m always here for you.” And I mean that, too.