by LuAnn McLane
“Oh Mom, I will.” Aubrey smiled. “Would you just look at you, all sassy with your auburn hair?” She gave her a little head bop. “I thought you were messing with me when you said you went red.”
“Carrie Ann talked me into it.”
“Right—nobody talks you into anything. You wanted to do it deep down or you wouldn’t have. What made you do it?”
“Oh, I dunno.” Betsy shrugged. “Mid-life crisis? Empty nest syndrome? Just plumb crazy?” She raised her index finger. “Wait, all of the above.”
“Let’s just go with plumb crazy.” Aubrey tipped her head back and laughed. “Oh Mom, I really missed you. And I do have to say the deep auburn agrees with you. Really brings out your eyes. People are going to think we’re sisters.”
“Oh, go on with you.”
“You look amazing.”
“You think so?” Betsy reached up and ran her fingers through her hair. “I always did have a bit of a red tint, especially when I was little. Guess that’s where you got the strawberry blond. Nobody would ever think a color that pretty was natural.” She shook her head slowly. “Mercy, you are a sight for sore eyes. I just want to squeeze you until your head pops off.”
Aubrey laughed but then said, “I knew that me leaving was going to be hard on you.”
“Yeah, it hit me way more than I let on.”
“Probably because we’re such a good team.”
“That we are,” Betsy said, trying to hold back tears. Aubrey was the center of her world. The first day she’d dropped her off at kindergarten was bad enough, but when Betsy had dropped her daughter off at the University of Kentucky and set her up in her tiny dorm room, it had been by far the hardest day of her life. She’d sobbed all the way back to Cricket Creek.
“I know I acted all big and bad, but the first month was homesick city,” Aubrey said. “I almost bailed and came home more than once.”
“Oh Aubrey.” Betsy put her palms on the table and leaned forward. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She imagined Aubrey huddled in that damned small bed in a dorm room she shared with a complete stranger. “You should have come home for fall break.”
“I needed to stay on task and power through. You taught me well. You always preached when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
“Oh Aubrey, I knew I should have come for a visit. I wanted to and you stopped me.”
“Mom, you work most Saturdays and it’s a long drive to Lexington.”
“Susan would have given me the time off.”
“I know, but I needed to get settled and get over my separation anxiety. Coming home would have made it worse.” Aubrey gave her a long look and then chuckled. “You would have seen my struggle and, like, enrolled in school with me or something crazy like that.”
“Hey, that’s a great idea! And what a great reality show. We could become famous.”
Aubrey looked so horrified at the suggestion that Betsy had to laugh. “Just kidding. Well sort of, anyway. At least about the reality show part. Oh, sugar, are you doing okay now?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ve got this.” She took a swig of sweet tea. “My roommate Jamie is more of a party girl and likes to play her music loud but I like to study at the library anyway. It’s all cool,” Aubrey said, and Betsy could tell by her genuine smile that she was doing just fine. “And I do hang out with Macy and Cassie.”
“Oh, I miss those girls too. The three of you always got along so well. Glad to hear it,” Betsy said. She told herself not to think about Aubrey going back to school but to concentrate on the fact that she was here for three weeks. “And I guess it would have been sad to think you didn’t miss me.”
“I missed you more than you can imagine.”
“Well, I’ve missed your cooking, even though I’ve gotten better.”
Aubrey laughed.
“We’ll do some cooking together. I’ll make some cookies while you’re here and all of your other favorites too. Plus, we can go to Wine and Diner and River Row Pizza. Grab some wings at Sully’s some evening.” She thought about mentioning Ham Good Deli but didn’t.
“I feel my butt expanding each time you mention all of those restaurants.” Aubrey smiled. “Seeing Main Street all decked out for Christmas made me realize how much I love this little town.”
Betsy let out a breath of relief. “I was afraid that living in Lexington might give you other ideas. I hope you want to come back to Cricket Creek after you graduate.” And she sure hoped Aubrey didn’t meet some boy from somewhere else and want to move away.
“Mom … get that worried look off your face.”
“Worry is my middle name.”
“I happen to know it’s Gertrude and that Grandma wanted that to be my name.”
“You could have pulled off the name Trudy.”
“Well, I love Aubrey.”
“Ah, from the song by one of my all-time favorite groups, Bread.” Betsy chuckled. “Not a very ordinary girl or name,” she sang. “Damn I’m old.”
“No, you are not old. And I love my middle name, Elizabeth, too.” Aubrey tilted her head and smiled. “After you. Pretty name, but I have to say that you are totally a Betsy. Elizabeth is too formal.”
“Yeah, funny how names are like that. I knew when I looked down at your pretty face and rosebud mouth that you were going to be unique and needed a special name to go with it.”
“Well, I love it.”
“Your grandmother was so pissed at me for not naming you after her.” Betsy chuckled, but she was glad she’d found the courage to stand up to her mother.
“Yeah, Grandma likes things her own way, that’s for sure. But I guess she didn’t have it easy,” Aubrey said quietly.
“I know she didn’t. I try to make her smile, even though it’s a tough task.” It was sad that the only relative in Aubrey’s life had such a bitter attitude. Having lost control of her own life, Gladys Gunther liked to rule Betsy’s every move, becoming an overbearing, angry woman as the years passed. Getting pregnant with Aubrey had made her mother livid, one of the reasons Betsy opted to get married and get out of the house … a decision she was glad she made even though it didn’t work out, because it forced her to earn her own way and make her own choices. When she found out she was going to have a baby, Betsy had made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t become like her mother, and had made sure that Aubrey had a life filled with love and laughter.
Aubrey took another swig of her tea. “I don’t know why, but nobody can make sweet tea as good as you.”
“Made with love.”
Aubrey laughed. “Ah, the secret ingredient.”
“Always.”
“Hey, it’s the holidays!” Aubrey raised both arms in the air. “Let’s get our Christmas on! It’s my favorite time of the year. The dusting of snow outside is so pretty. Main Street looks like the inside of a snow globe.”
“You got it, girl.” Betsy gave Aubrey a wistful smile.
“What?”
“I was just telling Susan that I always felt like I couldn’t give you enough for Christmas,” Betsy said, but when Aubrey’s face fell she wished she’d kept her mouth shut. “Not that you ever complained.”
“Mom, are you kidding? I was always super happy with my gifts. And I loved baking cut-out cookies and making candy. My memories of the holidays are the best. I wouldn’t trade them for the latest toy craze. Seriously.”
“Oh, it does my heart good to hear you say that.”
“I knew how hard you worked. You’ve always been a good example.”
“I sure did my best.” Betsy felt her eyes mist over and then cleared her throat. “By the way, Susan wants you to work at Rhyme and Reason while you’re on break if you want to.”
“Sweet, I could use the cash. My cost of living grant doesn’t include Christmas gifts.”
“I thought you’d be interested. I’m sure you can work there during summer break too.”
“I’m so glad you like working there, Mom. Susan is so n
ice.”
“She’s helped me on days that I was so bummed about missing you.”
Aubrey twirled her hair around her finger, nibbling on her bottom lip while looking at Betsy.
“What? Are you rethinking your opinion of my new do?”
“Mmmm … no, but there is something somehow different about you, though. More than just the hair.” She tapped her cheek. “It’s a kind of … I don’t know … a glow or something? Does that sound weird?”
“Oh, I don’t know …” Betsy felt heat creep into her cheeks. Ever since the kiss with John, she’d somehow felt more alive, and if she was honest she’d been excited to have plans to see him at Wine and Diner, not that she would ever let anyone come between her and her daughter. “Just having you home makes me glow.”
“If you say so.” Aubrey chuckled but didn’t seem all that convinced. They knew each other inside out, so keeping something from her wasn’t going to be easy, and yet Betsy didn’t know how to approach the subject.
“I do.” Still, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about John. It was to the point where she was beginning to think she regretted not giving the attraction between them a fair shot at something more, in spite of her fear of getting hurt. Of course, the whole he’s brilliant thing was a bit intimidating as well. Damn, why hadn’t she applied herself more in school? But college hadn’t been an option since they didn’t have the money and Betsy had no clue what she would have studied anyway. While she and Aubrey shared most things in their lives, she didn’t know how to approach the subject of John Clark. And yet she wanted her daughter’s opinion.
“Mom, okay, seriously, what aren’t you telling me?”
“Why would you ask such a thing?” She tried to appear innocent.
“You just zoned out and had this faraway, dreamy look on your face.”
“Aubrey, it’s just having my baby back home,” Betsy said, feeling a little stab of guilt that she didn’t confide in her daughter. “And hey, it’s the holidays!”
“Well, like I said, you look really cute. I can tell you even took pains with your makeup.”
Betsy lifted her chin. “Well, thank you. I did go up to Violet’s Vintage Clothing with Susan and picked out some outfits for the holidays. Susan was on an emergency shopping spree for her date with Danny Mayfield.”
“You mentioned they had dinner together. I knew Danny from when I would hang out at the marina with friends during the summer. He seemed super nice. And even though he was older, all of us girls thought he was so hot.” She fanned her face. “We all crushed on him all summer long. And he was always showing off, doing tricks on his water skis and his WaveRunner.”
“Yeah, he sure is a looker, that one.”
“Susan is such a sweetie. I can’t believe she’s still single. What’s wrong with the guys in this town? But you know, I could totally see her and Danny as a couple.”
“Me too …”
“Why do I hear a but in your tone?” Aubrey asked.
Betsy shrugged and poured more tea from the pitcher. “Susan is just so shy. Owning her shop has helped her to open up more, though. She’s getting better and better at dealing with customers. I’ve noticed a big change this past year.”
“Well, I’m sure you keep things lively and have her in stitches. Hiring you was genius on her part.”
“After teaching teenagers how to drive, working at Rhyme and Reason is a walk in the park. But you’re right, though. Susan’s got a lovely personality and an unexpectedly great sense of humor.” She pointed a finger at Aubrey. “And like you, she doesn’t know how doggone gorgeous she is.”
“Oh Mom …”
“Just sayin’.” She gave Aubrey’s hand a pat.
“I think that someone outgoing like Danny could bring Susan out of her shell even more. Like really blossom, you know?” Betsy said.
“I hope so.” Aubrey looked down at her tall glass of tea and stirred the ice around with her straw.
After a few moments Betsy said, “Okay, now I can tell that there is something on your mind.”
Aubrey pressed her lips together, something she always did when she was deep in thought. “Well … yeah.”
Betsy felt a little flash of fear. “What is it, sugar?”
After drumming her fingertips on the table for a few seconds she said, “This is kinda weird for me to talk about with you.”
“You can tell me or ask me anything. You know that.”
“I know,” Aubrey said but still hesitated.
“Is … is it about sex?” For some reason Betsy felt the need to whisper. She was hardly an expert about sex these days but she’d give it a shot.
“Oh Mom. We’ve had the sex talk,” Aubrey said, complete with air quotes. “Please.”
Betsy exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Okay … here goes.” Aubrey inhaled a deep breath. “You devoted your life to giving me everything I ever needed.”
“Of course.” Betsy waited, wondering where this could be going.
“I think you should maybe consider … well …”
“Spit it out, girlie.”
“Dating.”
“Really?” Betsy felt her eyes widen. She could have been knocked over with a feather. Of all things, Betsy didn’t think that suggestion would come out of her daughter’s mouth. “You don’t say …” she murmured, wondering if the timing of this conversation was good or bad.
“Well, sure, why not?” Aubrey extended her palms toward Betsy. “Just look at you. Not only are you super pretty, but you have a lot to bring to the table. You’re so much fun to be around, Mom. All the kids in high school loved you. Well, unless you failed them,” she added with a laugh. “Then, not so much.”
“So, you think I’m a good catch, huh?” Betsy had never thought of herself that way. Standing on the front porch with a baby on her hip while watching her husband speeding away in a cloud of dust had created a lasting impression.
“No doubt, Mom. When it comes to knowing your worth, you are a million times worse than me. To answer your question, yes, you’re quite the catch.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely!” Aubrey nodded emphatically and put her index finger to her pinkie. “Okay, your house and car are paid off. You’ve got your pension from the school system and a cool job, so you’re financially sound and happy. Look, I don’t mean you need a guy to lean on. You taught me better than that.” She lifted one shoulder. “But why not get out there and have some fun? Weren’t you just preaching the same thing to me?”
“Well yeah, but—” Betsy thought of John.
“But what, Mom?”
“Well …” This was her invitation to tell Aubrey about John. As mother and daughter they’d shared just about everything, but this was something Betsy didn’t know how to approach. “I don’t know.” She nibbled on the inside of her cheek.
“Okay …” Aubrey tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and scooted forward. “Just hear me out.”
“I’m all ears, sweet pea.” Betsy nodded, wondering again what this was leading up to.
“Macy Morgan and I were talking about how maybe you and her dad might want to go out to dinner or something.”
Betsy’s heart thudded in surprise. “Oh … Grady?”
“Yeah, he’s been divorced for a few years, and now that Macy is off to school he’s been pretty lonely. He’s super nice and always making me crack up. I think you two should start talking.”
“Talking?”
“Yeah, you know, like pre-dating or whatever you used to call it.” She blew out a breath. “So, what do you think?”
“I’m curious, did Grady show interest, or is this something you and Macy have cooked up? I remember you two wanting to be sisters.”
“Mom! Seriously?”
Betsy shrugged. “I don’t know; this is sort of out of the blue.”
“Mr. Morgan—well, he insisted that I call him Grady—came to Lexington a couple of weeks ago and took us girl
s out to dinner. He asked about you and …” Aubrey shrugged. “We could tell that he wanted us to pave the way for asking you out. At first Macy and I were kind of like, super awkward about it, but the more we talked about it, the more it makes perfect sense.”
Betsy nodded slowly, trying to figure out what to say. Grady was a great guy. He’d been a year ahead of Betsy in high school, athletic and popular. He’d met Melanie, his ex-wife, while in college and word was that they’d simply grown apart, wanting different things out of life. She’d seen Grady out and about Cricket Creek and they’d made small talk. Come to think of it, he might have flirted a little bit when she’d run into him at Sully’s Tavern one night.
“So, are you open to it?” Aubrey persisted.
“Oh, I don’t know. This is rather unexpected,” Betsy said, but Aubrey seemed so excited about the prospect that it was hard for Betsy to deny her a positive response.
Aubrey took a sip of her tea. “I know.” She reached over and squeezed Betsy’s hand. “Mom, like I said, you’ve devoted your life to me and now it’s time you do something for yourself. I like Grady so much and I can picture you two having a blast together. And he mentioned you knew each other from high school and he’s seen you recently.”
“He was a year older but we ran around in the same crowd. I lost touch when he went away to college, and then he married Melanie.” Betsy lifted one shoulder.
“Macy said her parents are on friendly terms. Her mom started dating a year ago and it’s kind of serious, so there won’t be any weirdness there.”
“Yes, I know she’s dating Tom Watson.” Betsy nodded slowly. “News travels quickly in Cricket Creek.”