Swallowing, I nodded my head. “Good.”
Chapter 18
Sometimes it just takes one pick to completely crack a block of ice. For Rocky and I, that pick was our night out. Sure, it didn’t go completely as planned, but at least it turned out for the better. In fact, it put me in a really great mood.
The next morning, I entered the kitchen humming an oddly familiar tune. It wasn’t until I began murmuring the words, “Kiss, kiss so we’ll never be apart,” that I recalled that it was the dumb song from homecoming night. I was about to laugh out loud when my mother rudely interrupted me.
“Jesse.” Her raspy voice was hard on the ears, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine if it was equally as hard on her throat to speak.
“Yeah?” I asked, guarded.
“Why are you so happy?” she asked suspiciously. She dragged herself into the kitchen, the oxygen tank’s wheels squeaking noisily behind her. “Finally get that Rocky girl in bed?”
For as crude as my mother could be, I had no idea she could be so uncomfortably blunt. I scowled. “Well, that’s an inappropriate thing to say to your son.”
Her oxygen tank ticked away, her breaths growing louder. “Why? Last time I checked you’re an adult, right? Pretty sure you know the difference between a penis and a vagina. Or rather, the fittings of a—”
“Mom, stop it!” I growled. “Why can’t you just act like a normal mother for once? I’m not looking to build a relationship but…” I couldn’t even bring myself to finish my sentence. Shaking my head, I yanked up my baggy sweats in exasperation and walked toward the fridge. Yanking the door open, I peered inside a lot longer than was warranted, hoping that by the time I was through she’d be gone.
I wasn’t that lucky.
“I was going through that list of nurses you left on the table. I don’t think you meant for me to find it, but I did.”
Crap. I really didn’t want her to butt into my process. She’d end up choosing the most expensive agency just to get a rise out of me.
I lifted my head and frowned. “Okay and your point is?”
She took a few more painful breaths before that eerie voice piped up once again. “I was thinking…”
What many people don’t understand is that favors can be a form of manipulation. Think about it; you’re asking somebody to do something for you. Usually these favors go unpaid, further adding to their appeal. As I watched the way my mother’s eyes darted from one side to the other, a strange déjà vu hit me. She wanted something. It was that easy to tell.
Coughing a bit, she continued in a hesitant tone. “Maybe we can pick one together.”
I nearly dropped my jaw. “Wait, what?”
Her slim shoulders shrugged, causing her plastic tubing to tap against the gigantic tank. It was a painful reminder that maybe she had changed. “Well, I figured that I’d be more inclined to know what I want in a nurse, but you’d know your budget parameters better. Seeing as that I’m the one staying here and you’ll be off back to Charleston, it’s quite fitting that we both have a say in this, right?”
Okay, who is this pod person and what did she do to my mother?
I took a few moments to respond, clearly in shock at the turn of events. After many years of wishing we had some team dynamic, finally being given the gift was a bit too much for me to comprehend.
“Um, yeah I guess that works,” I replied, albeit reluctantly.
Fine. I was still suspicious. Sue me.
She nodded in contentment, wheezing all the while. “Perfect.”
***
I got ready for work with my mom’s request still weighing heavily on my mind. Was she finally becoming the mom I always wanted her to be? Or was this just another one of her stupid mind games?
Why do you always think so badly about people? I pulled a shirt over my head and scowled. Maybe that’s why your life became so fucked up—you didn’t allow anyone in!
The realization caused my spirits to deflate, and by the time I reached Rossi’s Novelties, I was worried my mood would jeopardize whatever progress I’d made with Rocky. Luckily, my bad mood was only temporary. Not only did Rocky seem in high spirits that day, but Stephanie came to visit once again. It wasn’t long until we fell back into our old routine with some very interesting things coming to light…
“Are you a virgin?” I blurted out incredulously. I tried to hide the look of relief on my face. Though it was unjustified, imagining her with another guy brought me to an embarrassing level of jealousy.
Rocky cowered, doing her best to hide the pink tint of her cheeks. “Really, guys? We’re going to talk about this here?”
“Technically a virgin.” Stephanie clarified, looking as if she would keel over with delight. She always loved teasing Rocky and heck, I couldn’t really blame her. If we could guarantee one thing in this life, it would be how easy it was to get under our best friend’s skin.
“How can someone technically be a virgin unless…” I eyed her apple shaped ass, cringing at the thought that somebody could have done some unspeakable things to it.
“Ew! No, you disgusting pervert,” Rocky growled, hitting me hard.
Oh, thank God!
Now that that was out of the question, I found it ample opportunity to throw my own jabs at her. “Okay, so tell me how one can technically be a virgin. I am really dying to know.”
“It was just the tip.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Okay, maybe I didn’t want to know that.
“What was that?” I asked, pretending to cup my ear.
“It was just the tip!” she snapped in annoyance.
Before I could reply, Mrs. Rossi made a surprise appearance, further adding to our group discomfort. To my relief Stephanie saved the day by changing the subject and just in the nick of time too! As the girls went on to discuss their New Year’s Eve plans, I couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt that neither of them had thought to ask me to join in, let alone ask me what I was doing.
It’s not like you’re a part of their lives anymore. Get used to it.
I kept my mouth shut for the most part, listening closely as they plotted the details of their Girl’s Only Night Out. Once again pictures of strange men grasping Rocky’s arms…grazing her stomach…touching her lips…
No!
I was not going to let that happen. Stewing quietly, I made a decision I never thought I would.
I was going dancing at a night club.
Chapter 19
I’ve always thought montage scenes in movies were extremely stupid. You know the kind—the ones where the main character stands in front of the mirror showcasing different outfits while a weird pop song plays in the background. I would never have imagined myself partaking in such stupidity. Yet, there I was, glaring at my reflection. Granted it was minus the pop song, but still.
After changing about eight hundred times, I finally decided on a black long sleeved tee, black jeans, and black biker boots. What can I say? I liked black. Feeling content, I quickly headed toward the south end of town where Bethel Falls’ only collection of bars and nightclubs were located. It was bound to be crowded on any regular night, and I couldn’t bear to imagine what I’d be facing on the number one holiday for debauchery.
As expected, it took about twenty extra minutes for me to find parking, and that was after I opted to park about half a mile away. By the time I finally made it inside the club, the floor was already packed full of tipsy and well-dressed individuals. For a moment I began to regret my choice in attire, but based on the approving looks from a few scantily clad ladies, I quickly changed my mind.