“I’ve talked with a few, but this is the first time we’ve crossed paths with you,” Moma says.
I look at her, surprised. “This is the first I’m hearing of this.”
“We’re exhausted from the trip, but you should come out to the house for dinner while you’re in our Region.” Mama B goes into detail about the farm and the lovely drive by the water.
“It would be my pleasure. I have to get to the after-party, but I’m glad to meet you both.” He glances my way. “Have a good night.”
He leaves and they both look at me, wide-eyed.
“For a man, he’s decent.” Moma shrugs.
“From your extensive experience with men?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“You don’t have to know them to know the stories about them.”
I laugh and try to hug them, but they both back up and point to the shower. I go and as I’m washing the work off of my body, I try to come up with a way to keep them from the house. My mothers are two of the most stubborn people I’ve ever known. I come up with a plan to tell them there’s a rat problem.
When I come out, they’re cleaning my dressing room; one is spraying the mirror and wiping it down, the other is dusting.
I groan. “I know you mean well, but just stop. Please. Welcome back. This is such a...surprise.”
“If you would’ve answered our calls, you would’ve known,” Moma says.
“It’s been hectic. I’m glad you’re here now. Why don’t we head over to the apartment? I have a nice wine and we can relax. You can tell me about your trip…”
Mama B nods. “That sounds nice.”
I stare at her a moment, so thrown by her being agreeable that I laugh, hard. It stuns them and they stare at me.
“We won’t stay long.” Moma gives my back two brisk pats. “You look exhausted.”
And just like that, we’re back to square one.
When we get to the apartment, I try to message Gwen, but she doesn’t respond. I’m too nervous to drink, even foregoing the nightly vodka. I barely hear the details of their road trip, chuckling when they do, and mmhmm-ing in the spots that seem fitting. But my head is at the farm. When they get up to go, I jump up.
“I’m coming with you!” I tell them, sounding far perkier than I feel.
“You should be asleep already...we’ve stayed so late,” Moma says.
“We should’ve just gone straight to the house if you wanted to be out there,” Mama B says at the same time.
“You should stay here,” I say firmly. “I’ve had a problem with rats at the house…”
“Rats?”They say in unison. Moma looks startled.
“I’ll set out the traps then. Maybe it’s time to get a cat.”
I groan. Mama B is the proactive one. I should have known a rat story wouldn’t scare her off.
“I’m allergic to cats,” I remind them.
The plan completely backfires when Mama B gets a determined look on her face.
“We better get over there right away. I can’t believe you didn’t mention this before, Phoenix,” she says.
I just lost the war.
“I’m coming too,” I say miserably. “Let me get my shoes.”