Say Forever(57)

"It's your shame, not mine." I lift my mom's hand, which is still clasping mine, and proudly show her. "Besides, you're not my family."

"I gave you my baby!" my mom shrieks, throwing me momentarily off guard as I stumble back, only to be pulled upright by her firm grip. "You promised me you'd love her, and you and your husband abused her! You heartless, cold bitch!" The crowd gasps and murmurs. A few of the women are hissing and the men are swearing. Whatever is happening, it's working.

"That's right." Mom pounds the air with her fist. "I have half a mind to bust open all that collagen in your face. I'll make those fat, ugly lips looked like popped airbags!" Mom shakes her fist at The Cobra and at Nora. "And I'll save one for your double-crossing friend, too."

"No, Mom." I tug on her hand, pulling her toward the exit. "Let her wallow in her shame."

The spectators part like the Red Sea when we walk out the door.

Even though my dad is six feet under, I hope now that I've exposed him to all his friends at the club he once held so dear, his corpse will be rolling in its grave for the rest of his miserable eternity.





Chapter Seventeen



Christina

I feel bad I didn't get to say goodbye to Tyler, but considering my mom and I were busy fleeing security guards, I didn't have much choice. I send a message to Mrs. James apologizing for skipping out on lunch. She writes back that she understands. She also tells me she's overheard several prominent club members calling for The Cobra's immediate expulsion from the club.

I don't know what tastes sweeter, the revenge my mom and I got on those two snakes or the warm chocolate fudgy perfection that practically sends my taste buds into orgasmic convulsions. Though my mom was looking forward to her fish cakes, I don't think she's terribly upset, as she moans with each bite of "The World's Best Brownie." Yeah, we're at my favorite café again. I'm honestly starting to think I've got a brownie addiction, but after the week I've had, I'd say I earned it.

My mom has earned it, too, after her performance at the country club. Have I mentioned lately she's my hero? If I were to rate her on the mom scale, I'd say she achieved rock star status today.

"Mrs. James seemed pleasant enough."

I look at her. Gone is the vicious mamma bear defending her cub. She smiles sweetly and dabs the corners of her mouth with her paper napkin.

"Yes," I say as I sip coffee. Yeah, it's my second cup, but it's decaf, so I don't think it counts. "But something about her is off. I think she's got a drinking problem."

She flashes a knowing grin. "That was a rather big Long Island Iced Tea for so early in the afternoon."

My mouth falls open. "Oh, is that what that was?" Geez. It's barely past noon, and she's already hitting the sauce. She also mentioned something about drinking wine at night. I wonder if her drinking is a habitual thing. That would mean little Ty has traded one addict parent for another. Now I understand why Tyler wasn't disciplined when he was throwing fries. She was probably too drunk to care. This is so not good.

"What's the matter?" I look over at Mom, who's frowning at me mid-bite, a chunk of brownie suspended on the faux silver fork in front of her lips.

I heave a sigh. "She told me Karri is letting her adopt Ty."

Mom sets the fork down as her frown deepens. "Why would Karri give up that beautiful baby?"

"They're probably paying her a lot of money. Mrs. James seems to love him, but I worry about the drinking. The Cobra was a heavy drinker." I think back to how my adoptive mom was drunk most of my childhood. As I got older, I realized her drinking wasn't just a way to tune out of her own life, but a way to tune out of mine. When she wasn't angry with me over something stupid, she was indifferent to my needs... painfully indifferent. "I don't want Tyler to be treated the way I was."

Mom folds her hands in front of her. She leans forward, her expression darkening. "No amount of money is more important than your child's happiness."

Though I agree with her, I also know Karri's addiction to meth is probably worse than Mrs. James's drinking problem. Plus, she'll never be able to provide for him like the James family. "Mom, I think Ty would be less happy with Karri raising him."

"Will he?" Her bottom lip trembles, and that haunted expression in her eyes is enough to turn my skin cold. "She's going to have regrets. Twenty years from now, she will. Trust me. I know exactly what I'm talking about. You need to talk to your friend."

I look away from her penetrating gaze. "She's not my friend."

"Do you still care about that baby?" Her tone is dripping with guilt so thick it rivals the gooey fudge on my brownie.