Cecilia knocked on my door. “Clint? Michael’s here.”
I zipped my suitcase up. “Thanks, Ma.”
She opened my door. “Sorry to barge in, just wanted to make sure you didn’t want to take anything that’s in the dryer. It just stopped.”
“Actually, yeah. I think my coat’s in there.”
“You think you’ll need it during this hot summer?”
I shrugged. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
I knew she was worried about me. But she didn’t have to be. It was just a weekend trip to Rae’s orientation at Cal State while the rest of us palled around until she got out. Sure, there might be a party we got ourselves busy with. But nothing serious. Nothing that would get us into any trouble.
“It’ll be fine, Ma. I promise.”
She sighed as I hugged her.
“I know it will, Clint. I just--I’m worried. You know how it is.”
I kissed the top of her head. “I do.”
Things hadn’t necessarily gotten better once the divorce was finalized. Cecilia was worried since my father knew where she lived. She thought he might pop by one day unannounced, like he did about two months into the divorce proceedings. It freaked her out then, and put her on edge every time she was home alone. Hell, even when she was with me, she had a tendency to jump at the sounds coming from outside. Or above our heads. Or the creaking of the walls as
the apartment expanded and contracted from temperature drops.
“Why don’t you invite your friend to come over?”
Cecilia patted my back. “I’ll be okay. Just worried about you.”
I grinned. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, so I will. I’m going to be gone for a few days. This would be a perfect time to invite him over and show him around. You know, since I haven’t officially met him or anything.”
“Clint.”
I chuckled. “Seriously, Ma. If he’s a good man, he’ll come stay with you. Or at least check up on you. There’s nothing wrong with leaning on someone. Especially during times like these. Okay?”
She sighed. “How did you get so smart?”
I kissed her forehead. “You can blame Rae for that.”
I slipped beside her and went to pull my jacket out of the dryer. Mike stood in the living room, grinning from ear to ear as I passed him by. He slapped me on the back as I went to go get my suitcase. Then, I hugged Ma one last time.
“Call me if you need anything, Clint. Okay?”
I nodded. “I will. I promise.”
“And you’ve got enough money?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Promise?”
I sighed. “Goodbye, Ma.”
“Love you, Clint!”
“Love you, too!”
And when I got the apartment door closed behind me, Mike chuckled.