Bethany had started a to do list when she was dating Noah Ramesly. Noah had been a good friend. They’d explored all sorts of new things, from curling which neither of them was any good at, to her first hockey game. Bethany had enjoyed the new experiences. Eventually, she and Noah had just remained friends. Noah was now married to a lovely woman named Elle and they had five boys.
Noah had been in love with Elle the entire time that he’d dated Bethany. Bethany had been glad to help him by breaking up and allowing him to chase the woman that he really wanted. Even if it had made her feel a little sad that she was not the object of his affections. She wasn’t the object of anyone’s affections. She wanted to be loved with a yearning like Noah had for Elle.
Bethany sighed and wondered if Earle would be offended if she checked the score of the Yankee’s game. She’d become a fan since dating Noah. Something she suspected her mother would not be impressed with. She had the feeling Earle wouldn’t care. He’d probably try to become a fan too, just because she was one.
“Earle,” Bethany tilted her head and looked at him. “What do you want to do?”
Earle cleared his throat nervously. “What do you mean? What do you want to do?”
“I’m asking you,” Bethany gently said. “What do you want to do? Tonight? Tomorrow? With the rest of your life? If you could do anything, what would you like to do?”
Earle blinked and thought about it like it was a foreign concept. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’ve got money, you’ve got your health,” Bethany pointed out. “Haven’t you always wanted to do something? Go somewhere? Be something? You’re only limited by yourself.”
“I suppose I might…” he took a breath and let it out.
“What?” Bethany leaned in, curious about what was on Earle’s mind.
“I’d move out of my mother’s house,” Earle clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say anything. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why not?” Bethany asked encouragingly. “If that’s what you want to do, then you should do it!”
“My mother has been so good to me. She’s the best and I’d hate to disappoint her,” Earle whispered. “It’s just that sometimes…”
“Sometimes?” Bethany urged him.
“I’d like a little space. I think if I ever did manage to get married, Mother would expect her to move in with us,” Earle’s eyes got wide. “I’m not sure how that would go.”
“Not well,” Bethany advised. “Want to move out tonight?”
“What?” Earle was shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not?” she shrugged. “You’ve got money. You could rent a moving company. Pay them extra and I’m sure someone will do it tonight while your mother is at the benefit. All you need to do is find a place to live. I’m sure there are lots of places available on short notice for the right amount of money. Some of them might even be furnished.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t move out tonight,” Earle shook his head resolutely.
“Earle,” Bethany put her hand over his in a sign of support. “I get the feeling that if you don’t move out tonight, you never will.”
Earle looked at Bethany’s hand covering his and took in a shaky breath. He looked into her eyes with wonder. “Can I move in with you?”
Bethany snatched her hand back. “On second thought, maybe you should stay with your mother. She takes very good care of you.”
Earle nodded, a little disappointed but not really surprised. “She does.”
Bethany looked around in boredom. “I’m going to visit the little ladies’ room.”
“What you mean is you’re going to leave while you can,” Earle said morosely.
Truthfully, she just thought she’d check the score of the game. However, if Earle was going to give Bethany an out, she’d happily take it. “Yes Earle. Have a good night.”
“Night,” Earle sipped his coffee. He was used to getting dumped.
Bethany gathered her purse and shawl, making her escape.
