“No. Your father is the gentlest of men except when it comes to—”
“Zombies,” I offer.
Mom grins. “His children.”
I sit taller.
“I just want to know, Sami, did you call off the wedding because of what he did or because of what you and Marshal did?”
I press my lips together. “I canceled the wedding because when Jack did what he did, it was a slap in the face, a wake-up call. I called Marshal because I needed my friend. As I drove to Marshal’s place, I saw my future all play out, Mom. I saw me in a big house, in the right neighborhood, with three kids, and Jack off screwing a secretary, neighbor, housekeeper, or maybe the nanny.”
It’s cleansing and cathartic to be this open and honest with Mom and with myself.
“I didn’t see my forever or my always. I knew that night that Jackson would never be either of those people for me and going through with the wedding would have not given me what I’ve always wanted.” I swallow again, tasting the salty emotions. “He lied about France. I opened an email and saw our honeymoon reservations. They were for New York. We had reservations at a swanky hotel and tickets to shows. I’m sure it would have been great, but it wasn’t France.
“He’s a liar. That’s who he is and who he will always be. I saw the future. I imagined that each time he would cheat that he’d bring me a piece of jewelry or take me somewhere expensive.” My head shakes. “That’s not how I want to spend my always.”
Mom reaches across the table and covers my hand. “Sami, you made the right choice. May I ask...what’s happening with Marshal?”
The sadness and frustration disappear at the mention of his name. “He’s my always, just maybe not like I dreamed. Marshal is...” —I inhale as I look through the windows to the sidewalk— “like Mrs. Jefferson’s dog.”
“LS?” Mom asks quizzically.
“He’s cute and dependable, but I know him and eventually, he’ll shit on the kitchen floor.”
Mom’s eyebrows knit together. “Remember that book I read you when you were little. You and your sisters and brother used to giggle the whole time.” She doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Everyone Poops.”
I chuckle. “I remember that.”
“What are you afraid of?”
I give her question some thought. There are too many answers. I could say spiders or mice. I could say having someone cheat on me again. But my greatest fear surpasses all of those things. “Losing my best friend.”
Mom smiles. “Are the two of you honest with one another?”
“Always.”
“Don’t let that end because you’ve added...benefits.”
“Mom.” My eyes widen.
“Oh, Sami, I’m old, but I’m not that old. I suspected when you came to the house—after he kissed you. Honey, that was the kind of kiss that melts a girl’s panties. It definitely wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek.”
Warmth creeps up my neck to my cheeks as I recall the kiss.
“But at that moment, I also wondered if what I was seeing was an act for Jackson’s benefit.” I start to tell her it wasn’t, but she goes on, “And then you returned from yourwalk.” She shakes her head as her smile grows. “The two of you looked at Dad and me like you did after I caught you smoking in the old boathouse.”
I clear my throat.
“Oh, funny story.”
“Tell me,” I say, happy for the change of subject.
“Well, it’s more like strange.” She grins. “That very same night the two of you went for a walk, on the Neighborhood App, someone reported hearing strange noises coming from the boathouse. They called the police, but by the time the police arrived” —she shrugs— “the boathouse was empty.”
I reach for my sandwich and bring it toward my lips. “That is strange.”
Marshal