Chapter Eleven
Saturday afternoon, after picking out a present for Simon’s party the following day, Becca sat with her son at lunch in his favorite burger place. They rarely spent quality time together anymore, what with her working nonstop and him being too busy to hang out with his mom.
Though she liked his extracurricular activities, she missed spending time with him. Thus, a day to go shopping and share a meal together.
“Are you nervous about next week?” she asked.
“It’s a big game. If we win that one, we’ll have a shot at being state champs.” He shrugged. “I just wish we didn’t have to drive to Corvallis to play. I like being on our home turf.”
“I know.” She didn’t relish the nearly three hour drive. With any luck, the snow would hold off. “You’ll do great, I’m sure.”
“Flash and Coach Deacon think we will.” He shot her an innocent smile she didn’t trust. “He’s not so bad, is he, Mom?”
“Coach Deacon?”
“You know who I’m talking about.”
“Yes, yes. Flash is nice, I guess. He sure had a nice house.”
“I know.” Simon delved into the plate of hamburger and fries the waitress dropped off, while Becca toyed with her chicken sandwich. Thinking about Mitch dampened her appetite.
“I like watching him and Coach Deacon argue. They’re funny.” Simon laughed, his mouth full.
She grimaced but decided not to criticize him. “Do you wish you had a brother?”
“Sometimes. Then I hear Jenna complaining about her sisters, or some of the guys talking about their brothers, and I think it’s okay to be an only child.” He ate five fries at once. “Although, when I think about it,” came out muffled, along with bits of French fry.
“Simon.”
He swallowed. “You know, upon further reflection, I’m probably eating to compensate for my grief and inadequacy.”
“Or because you’re a growing teenager who’s always hungry.”
He gave her a stern look, and she regretted letting him accompany Nora to a psychology lecture last month. “Underneath my fun-loving ways, I might actually be lonely. No one to fight with but Aunt Nora. And she’s no fun, always acting like we’re not the same because she’s a grownup. I mean, Mom, how will I function as an adult when I have no idea how to share with others?”
She just stared at him.
He continued, “And let’s face it. You’re not getting any younger. If youdidwant to have another kid, now would probably be a good time. When women get over the age of thirty-three, the chances for problematic pregnancies go way up.”
“First of all, it’s thirty-five. And secondly, I’m not sure where you’re going with this. You want me to get married again?” Just saying that made her feel fluttery inside, because only one man came to mind with the M-word.
How the heck could Becca think of Mitch and permanence in the same breath? She barely knew the man. So what that they had some off-the-charts chemistry? Or that he’d woken her from what felt like a deep, social sleep? Becca had loved and lost, and despite the years since, she had no urge to open herself up like that again. Going to a movie or having dinner together, having sex, that was one thing. Waking up next to the same man day after day? Sharing her life—her son—with him?
“Mom?” Simon frowned. “You okay? I was just teasing.”
“Well, you know, since I’m so old and everything, I got confused. Do you want me to marry Mitch or Deacon?” She couldn’t help thinking of Mitch as Mitch. Flash was a persona, not the real man.
“Well,Mitchhas a sweet pool.” Trust Simon to catch her slip. “I don’t know about Deacon’s, but if his is nicer, go team Deacon.” Simon started laughing.
She let out a relieved breath, glad to know her son wasn’t serious about any of it. “I miss this.”
“What?”
“Me and my little boy out for lunch.”
“Little? Mom, I’m six-two and weigh more than you do. I think.”
“Ha-ha. And no, I’m still not telling you how much I weigh. It’s none of your business. But Simon, it doesn’t matter how big you get or how old you are. You’ll always be my little boy.”
