Hot Georgia Rein

by Martha Sweeney

  “Ivy!” a woman shouts.

  I scan the area and find Momma running toward me.

  “Ivy,” she shouts again. “Thank heavens you’re here.” She wraps her arms around me. “We were worried you’d never take off.”

  “How did you know I was coming?” I ask.

  “Cece called me,” Momma replies. “She told me what happened.”

  My shoulders slump.

  “Do you have any other bags?” she checks.

  “Just this little guy,” I say gesturing to him.

  Momma squats down and greets her grandson as Papa wraps his arms around me.

  “How you holding up, Sweetpea?” Papa checks.

  “I could be better,” I admit.

  “Let’s get you two into the truck,” Momma states. “I’ve brought some food. When we saw that your flight was delayed, your Papa and I went to eat to kill some time. You hungry?”

  “Yes,” I return, stuffing another piece of fruit into my mouth.

  “Let me take him,” Papa offers, taking his grandson out of the stroller.

  “Papa,” I whine. “He’ll want to run.”

  “I’m sure he does after be stuck on a plane for all that time,” Papa replies. “Don’t worry. I’m used to chasing your Momma around the house. I’m sure I can keep up with him.” He winks at me.

  “Papa, eww,” I return feeling grossed out.

  Papa ignores me, chasing after his grandson on purpose.

  “Why don’t you call Cece,” Momma suggests. “Let her know you’re here.”

  “My phone is dead,” I inform.

  “Did you forget your charger?” Momma checks.

  “No,” I sigh. “It dropped in the toilet when I was changing him.”

  “That’ll teach you not to give him your phones anymore,” Momma teases.

  “I need food, Momma,” I state. “Once I’ve eaten, you can then give me all of your motherly advice, okay?”

  She smiles and then laces her arm with mine. Momma pushes the stroller and I grab my bag. Papa follows behind, directing my son where to go rather than carrying him.

  The rain has finally stopped, making it easy to get to the truck. Papa opens the door for Momma and me and Momma offers for me to get in first. She hands me my wiggling boy before she gets in. Papa closes the door and puts all of my stuff in the back of the truck.

  “How long are you staying?” Papa inquires.

  I shrug. “Don’t know,” I reply. “I guess that will all depend on whether Henry will talk to me or not.”

  “He’d be foolish not to,” Papa states.

  I keep my eyes forward, knowing that if I look at them while we talk about this subject that I’ll cry. “Yeah,” I sigh.

  “He’ll understand,” Momma soothes, tapping my arm lovingly. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to know that he has a son.”

  My shoulders shrug since I’m not sure what to say.

  Momma hands me the bag of food. I eat faster than I thought I would, offering my son a few bites when he leans forward indicating that he wants some. The four of us ride in silence for a while and I’m grateful for the peace. With food in my stomach, it’s easier to not cry as much as I piece together what I’m going to say to Henry the next time I see him.

  We get settled back at the house, and not long after saying hi to Grady, Nana, and Pops, I order a new phone online. Then, I message Cece over social media that I’ll be without a phone until tomorrow. I don’t wait for her reply, too anxious by everything.

  Grady tells me that he tried to call Henry, but it went straight to voicemail. Though I know Henry, I’m not sure what that means or where to exactly find him. We’ve changed over the years and there could be a place he goes to think, and if so, I wouldn’t know where. There’s only one place I can hope to find him.

  “You sure you want to just go there and wait?” Momma checks, following me out to her truck.

  I finish locking Henry’s car seat in place. “Yes,” I confirm. “I need to be there when he gets back.”

  “If he drove, he might be awhile,” Momma states.

  “I know, but I need to try,” I say, putting my packed bag on the passenger side floor.

  “Why don’t you leave him here?” she suggests.

  My head shakes as I get my son into the car seat. “Henry needs to see his son. It might be the only way to get him to talk to me, Momma.”

  “Well…I don’t like it, but I understand,” she replies, following me around to the driver side. “Here. I want you to have something on hand just in case.”

  I look down and see her offering her cell. “Thanks, Momma.”

  She hugs me for a long few moments and then kisses my cheek. “We’ll all say prayers.”

  “Me too,” I reply with an unsteady smile.

  I drive over to Henry’s, parking Momma’s truck in backward so I’m facing the street. If Henry comes home at any point tonight or tomorrow, I want to see him coming, and if needed, the ability to follow him if he drives away.

  32 Henry

  The rain continues to fall as I reach West Virginia. With how much is coming down and how many states I’ve already driven through while it’s been raining, it feels like it should be classified as a hurricane or something. I never knew it could rain in so many states at the same time.

  Traffic piles up and some roads start to become flooded in several areas from what the news says on the radio, causing me to have to stop for a map to find an alternate way to get back.

  I don’t bother sleeping, but I don’t think I could if I tried. I’m too jacked. My mind stays focused on Ivy and my son and how I could have handled the situation differently. I shouldn’t have jumped to a conclusion. Remembering how the kid looked, I see how stupid I was to not have noticed he looked like me and not Drew.

  Even though I love Ivy, and still mean what I said that it doesn’t matter what happened between us, it’s still painful to know that I’ve had a son all these years and didn’t know. Why wouldn’t she have told me? I get what Grady was saying, but still. Ivy knows me. She knows I wouldn’t have been mad—at least, I don’t think I would’ve been.

  My emotions jump all over the place as I drive. Between the rain, the traffic, and the thoughts about Ivy and my son, I feel excited one moment and then pissed the next. Many times, as I continue to think while I drive, I realize that my anger isn’t always at Ivy. It’s directed toward myself. She’s not the only one who’s fucked up here.

  33 Ivy

  I wake not long after the sun starts to rise. I hadn’t slept well all night and feel extra irritable as I try to move my stiff body. Looking over, I see that my son’s still asleep in his car seat. I let out a heavy breath as I notice that Henry’s not back yet. I can only assume that he drove to New York since he’s not here. I’m praying that he’s safe and comes straight back and doesn’t do anything stupid.

  I text Papa to let the family know that I’m fine with our little truck camp out. Papa tells me that Momma’s already in the kitchen and that he’ll let me know when breakfast is ready. I’m not sure I want to leave Henry’s place.

  Momma’s cell rings, so I answer it.

  “Any word yet?” Grady inquires.

  “No,” I sigh.

  “I have a confession to make,” Grady states.

  “I know you’re gay” I reply.

  Grady laughs. “Not that.”

  “Then?” I ask with a yawn.

  “Henry called me….”

  “When?” I interrupt. “Just now? Why didn’t you start with that?”

  “No,” Grady returns. “Yesterday.”

  “When yesterday?” I check.

  “I’m guessing not long after walking into your apartment,” Grady shares.

  “What did he say?” I press.

  “He was pissed at first,” Grady explains.

  My heart beats faster. “At first?” I say.

  “Yeah,” Grady confirms. “He was still pissed, obviously confused as shit and
will most likely need more time to process.”

  “Did he say anything else?” I inspect.

  “He assumed Henry was Drew’s kid,” Grady adds.

  “What?” I gasp.

  “I called him a fucking idiot,” Grady laughs. “There’s no way anyone can look at him and think he’s not Henry’s kid.”

  I nod. “Did you tell him?” I ask.

  “Tell him what?” Grady returns.

  “Who his father is?” I state with some irritation.

  “At some point, yes,” Grady replies.

  “What did he say?” I ask nervously.

  “That he wanted to punch me because I didn’t tell him,” Grady explains. “He said that I should have. I told him it was your secret to tell.”

  “Did he sound really mad?” I pry.

  “A bit,” Grady confirms. “That and probably a whole bunch of other shit too.”

  My head bounces as I try to think of what to ask next.

  “He asked who else knew,” Grady mentions.

  “What did you tell him?” I ask.

  “The truth,” Grady replies.

  “So, he’ll be mad at Momma and Papa too,” I sigh.

  “He’ll get over it,” Grady claims.

  “I hope so,” I return.

  “I’m pretty sure,” Grady says confidently. “When we last spoke, it sounded like he was going back to your apartment.”

  “When? Yesterday?” I check.

  “Yeah, yesterday,” Grady affirms. “But, I haven’t heard anything from him since and if I call him it goes straight to voicemail.”

  “So, he’s pissed,” I assume.

  “Not necessarily,” Grady replies.

  “I need to call Drew and Cece. I need to find out if he went back to my apartment or not, and if so, when and what was said,” I inform.

  “Momma has Henry’s number on her cell,” Grady states. “Might not hurt to call and leave a message.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you two spoke yesterday when I got back?” I ask suddenly.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” Grady replies. “You were rushing around and determined to go to Henry’s. I didn’t think to say anything probably because you didn’t want to talk to anyone.”

  “Sorry,” I huff.

  “Don’t apologize,” Grady replies. “I understand.”

  “Did he drive up to New York or did he fly?” I inspect.

  “He definitely drove,” Grady confirms. “He’s never flown and felt safer in the truck. Plus, he said something about not wanting to fly alone for his first time.”

  “Do you think he’d stop anywhere on his way back…or go somewhere to think?” I inquire.

  “Doubt it,” Grady replies. “I’m sure he’s on his way back. It’s just a matter of when he gets here with traffic and the weather.”

  I think for a few seconds, trying to decide on what to do. My head turns to the right and I notice that my son is awake and not happy to be stuck in his car seat. “Tell Momma I’ll be home for breakfast.”

  “Sure thing,” Grady replies.

  “What are you doing up so early?” I search. “You never liked to be up this early.”

  “I was worried about you,” Grady says. “Plus, I have work shit to take care of. You know some of us still work for a living.”

  “I work,” I scoff playfully.

  “Nah,” Grady laughs. “You tell other people what to do. That’s the kind of job I’m working towards getting.”

  “I’m proud of you, Grady,” I say honestly.

  “I’m proud of you, Ivy,” Grady returns. “I don’t know many women who would be able to handle all the shit you’ve been through.”

  I smile. “Well, there are many people in the world who have it far worse than me.”

  “True…but still, you know what I mean,” Grady says.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “I do.” I look out to the road. “I’ll be home in a few.”

  “Sounds good,” Grady returns.

  We hang up and I get out of the truck and walk over to the passenger side. “Hey, handsome,” I greet with a smile after I open the door.

  “Mama,” he says behind a few tears.

  “How about we get you changed and then we go have breakfast with Nana and Pop-Pop?” I ask.

  “Eat wit Nana and Pop-Pop,” Henry replies, wiping his face.

  “That’s right,” I confirm.

  I let him run around on the grass while I get his stuff out of his diaper bag. I’m able to get him to come over with the mention of food. He munches away as I change him and doesn’t fuss once. He gets into the car seat willingly which I’m thankful for.

  Right as I close the driver side door after getting in, my heart beats faster at the sound of a car engine. My gaze darts up, but my stomach falls a little when I see that it’s not Henry’s truck. When it pulls up the driveway, I watch eagerly, wanting to know who’s coming. When she parks, that’s when I see her face through the window.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Mrs. Summerlin asks heatedly, walking briskly toward me. “Get the hell off of my daughter’s property.”

  I lock the doors but don’t move.

  “You have no right…” her words falter as she approaches my door and looks past me. Her eyes inflate and it’s not hard to guess why. “You slut! You home-wrecker! Get the hell out of here.” She slams her palm against Momma’s truck.

  “No,” I reply.

  “He wants nothing to do with you,” Mrs. Summerlin claims. “This whole town wants nothing to do with you and your bastard child!”

  Anger rises inside of me, causing me to fling the door open, almost knocking her to the ground. “What did you say?” I ask heatedly.

  “You heard me,” she replies indignantly. “This whole town wants nothing to do with you and your bastard child.”

  I take two, slow steps in her direction. “This town has no business in my business,” I state calmly. “You have no business in my business.”

  “When it involves my daughter, it does,” she claims.

  “Then,” I return with a wicked grin. “I guess the whole town would love to know how Julianna was never really Mr. Summerlin’s daughter now, don’t you think?” My head flies to the right and is followed by a stinging sensation on my left cheek.

  “How dare you!” she shouts.

  My eyes narrow as I look at her. “How dare you. How dare you judge everyone in this town when you’re just as guilty or more of all the rumors and gossip you so happily share with everyone else.”

  “Don’t you dare disrespect my Julianna,” Mrs. Summerlin declares.

  “The only person disrespecting her is you,” I spit. “She was a smart girl…a beautiful woman. She always was even though she might not have always acted that way. She had one of the biggest hearts in this town compared to you.”

  “Don’t you dare!” she shouts.

  “Don’t I dare what?” I quip. “Talk about your daughter? She was more of a woman…more of a wife than you ever were.”

  “How dare you!” she scoffs.

  “I was out of the picture before Julianna and Henry were married,” I remind. “And, despite their challenges, neither of them cheated…unlike you!”

  Mrs. Summerlin’s hand flies toward me again, but this time I block her.

  “If you want to judge anyone,” I say, doing my best to stay calm. “Look in the fucking mirror.”

  “The whole town will hear about how you’ve disrespected me and my daughter with your lies,” she claims. “They’ll know about your bastard child with Henry and then you’ll never be able to come back.”

  I laugh. “I don’t give a shit anymore about what you or this pathetic little town thinks of me,” I retort.

  Mrs. Summerlin yanks her arm from my grip. She stares at me for several long seconds and her confidence quickly disappears.

  I remain standing in Henry’s driveway as I watch Mrs. Summerlin get in her car and drive away. She doesn’t
bother to say another word and only watches me as if she’s expecting me to pounce on her. I’m sure it takes at least five minutes after the vehicle is no longer in sight for me to calm down enough and return to Momma’s truck.

  “Ready to go see Nana, Pop-Pop, and Grady?” I ask Henry.

  “Yeah!” he cheers.

  When we get back to my parents’ house, I let my son run around, knowing that he’ll come over for more food when he’s ready. I’ve kept him pretty locked up since getting on the plane until now and I’m feeling a little guilty for it. The family chats freely as we eat and no one breaches the topic of when Henry will return. About twenty minutes after breakfast, I go back to Henry’s house alone. Momma and Nana insist that it would be best for Henry and me to talk first without our son present. I selfishly need my son with me, believing that he’ll soften the blow and prevent a screaming match between his father and me.

  I know that Grady made it sound like there’s a chance for Henry and me to be together, but I still have my doubts. However, once I spoke to Drew and Cece and they said the same thing. I’m still nervous, but I’m a little more optimistic. A lot can change for a person when they’re driving. There’s a lot of time to think and change your mind. There’s a lot of time for feelings to change too.

  Just before lunch, Momma texts to let me know that Papa picked up my new phone and will be bringing it back for me. There was no mention if Mrs. Summerlin has already been spreading gossip about our run-in, but then again, Papa would never share something like that. He’s very protective of us and he’s never bothered entertain the rumors or those who spread them.

  When I get home, I breeze through my food, feeling more like myself with how much I eat. I play with my son a little bit before I head back to his father’s. The time passes extremely slowly and even with letting him run around in the yard. Once he falls asleep, time still barely ticks by with my phone and the book The Divorce to keep me occupied. Both Cece and Drew call, filling me in on everything, including the fact that Henry stopped by and is on his way home.

  At some point, needing to stretch my legs, I get out of the truck and walk around the house. I need to get out of my head and help time pass more quickly.