“Well, of course for you too, dear.” She began wiping down the counters again. “But it’s always the woman people focus on. Always the woman who takes the blame and the brunt of the criticism. Because men aren’t expected to behave properly—no offense, dear—and it’s never shocking when they let their you-know-whats make their decisions. But a woman is expected to know better and behave a certain way. If she doesn’t, she’s called a slut.”
“Mom.” My voice was sharp.
“What? I’m not saying it’s right,” she went on, as if she was above such nonsense. “But it’s reality. It’s human nature to gossip, and that’s what they’ll say. I’m just being honest.”
“If anyone said that about Hannah, I’d fucking punch them in the face.”
She stopped moving and looked up at me, shocked. “Wesley Davis Parks!”
“What? I’m not saying it’s right,” I went on, mimicking her tone, “but it’s what I’d do. I’m just being honest.”
Her spine went ramrod straight. “I did not raise a boy who talks to his mother that way.”
“Should I go to my room?”
“Yes!” she snapped.
I would have laughed, except I was too furious. Instead of going to my room, I grabbed my keys again and went right back out the front door. It was only quarter after eight, so I couldn’t go to Hannah’s yet, but I had to get out of the house. I drove into town, parked, and ducked into a bar called The Anchor.
There were plenty of seats open at the bar, and I chose one toward the back. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone. When the bartender came over, I ordered a beer and then sat there brooding into it. Fucking mothers! Why did they have to be so difficult?
But I couldn’t help wondering if there was any truth to what mine had said. Was I putting Hannah and Abby at risk by spending time with them? Were people so cruel and heartless that they’d talk that way? Deny them the chance to be happy? What the fuck was wrong with people? Did they have nothing else in their lives?
While I was fuming about it, a few women came in, laughing breezily about something. After every one of them eyed me up, they sat at a high-top table right behind me and proceeded to further destroy my faith in humanity.
“Oh my God, did you see what she was wearing?”
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I heard he can’t get it up.”
“I’m not trying to be mean, but someone needs to tell that woman she is not a size eight anymore.” ”
“Who does he think he’s kidding with that car? Hello! Midlife crisis!”
“Please. It’s so obvious the way she throws herself at him.”
“He’s totally cheating on her. You can just tell.”
In fifteen minutes, I heard enough gossip and trash talk to last me a lifetime. I felt sick to my stomach. Was my mother right?
And then.
“I know. I kind of freaked out when I saw him. I forgot he had a twin.”
Jesus. Did they think I was deaf? It’s not like they were whispering.
“I know. So hot.”
“My mother goes to that practice. Maybe I should, too.” Snicker, snicker. “Get a little mouth to mouth.”
Gasp. “You’re so bad.”
“What? He’s fucking gorgeous. I might pretend to choke right now.”
“I used to be friends with Drew’s wife. Have you seen her lately? Way too skinny.”
“Totally. You’re not friends with her anymore?”
&n