If I had even five more minutes, I’d jerk one out just to ease the pressure building in me at the memory of her.
Willow.
I know she’s new in town, but I didn’t even get a last name.
I lather up fast, trying to wash the feeling of her from my body. It’s weird; it’s like my body is still with her. Like I can stillfeel her limbs tangled with mine. I put my whole head under the spray and try to push away the memories.
Once I’m out and dry, I brush my teeth and throw on a pair of black jeans and a dress shirt, then check the forecast. Cloudy, but no rain. I don’t think my rain gear is anywhere close to dry yet. I tuck into a pair of boots, grab a thick zip-up cardigan, and yank open my condo door, only to practically fall over a moving crew.
“Hey.” One of the guys nods at me. “You got your new neighbor’s number? We’re scheduled to do a move-in today at noon, but this was a cross-country move, and we made it ahead of schedule. Any chance you know where she’s at?”
I scowl. I didn’t even know I was getting a new neighbor. I shake my head. “Sorry, man. I got to run.”
The new neighbor explains the noise, but it’s barely nine thirty. It’ll be a miracle if I make the SBA event before it’s over. And I’d rather embarrass myself in front of the entire Star Falls Small Business Administration than face Mags if I blow this off.
I bash on the elevator button, but it must be jammed with shit from the movers because I wait a whole minute before turning and bolting toward the stairs. I take them two at a time, tucking my phone into my sweater pocket so I don’t drop it.
I literally run to my truck and pray the traffic light gods look favorably on me.
“I’ve been a good boy,” I mutter. “I could use a little positive mojo right now.”
As I navigate through our small town, my phone rings. I see who it is on the caller ID and smash the button on my SUV’s display screen.
“Ma, I’m in the car, and you’re on speaker.”
“Benny?” Ma’s voice sounds concerned. “Honey, why am I on speaker?”
I roll my eyes. “Ma, I’m not just sitting in the car. I’m driving. I’m talking hands-free because it’s the law now. You know this. What’s up with you?”
Ma launches into an update on her morning—she’s good, my father’s in Cleveland at a doctor’s appointment. “He wouldn’t let me go with him, Benny,” she finishes.
I partially tuned Ma out while she was chatting me up. She often calls me on Monday mornings, while my brothers and sister are working or off taking care of their kids. I’m the youngest of four, and all of my siblings have partners and kids, so I’m the only one around during the weekday mornings when Ma wants to catch up.
“Wait, wait.” I can’t tell what time it is since my phone and my display are showing me the time I’ve been on this call, but it’s got to be quarter to ten as I pull into the very full parking lot of the Star Falls Community Center. I park in a spot at the far end of the lot and grab my phone. “Ma, what’d you say about Pops? He wouldn’t let you go with him to the doctor?”
I turn off the engine and slide out of the car, tucking my phone between my shoulder and my ear. My parents do everything together. They have slept apart only a handful of times since they got married, and they met when they were fifteen. Pops doesn’t buy a slice of cake without Ma approving the flavor and amount of frosting. I can’t believe he’d drive into Cleveland for even a routine doctor’s appointment and not take Ma with him.
“He told me not to worry, Benny, but you know that means I’m going to worry. Are you still in the car? You sound funny.”
“Ma, I’m… Do you know what kind of doctor it is?”
We have great primary care here in Star Falls, but for surgeries and more serious stuff, most people go to one of the major hospitals in Cleveland.
A sick feeling creeps up the back of my neck. Fear, maybe. Anxiety? My parents are still young, but hell, youth doesn’t guarantee good health.
Our family has been spoiled in that department.
My mother’s explaining that she has no idea and that she’s even considered snooping on my father’s phone to find out, but they’ve never had that kind of marriage. I listen as much as I can, but when the doors of the community center open and a dozen people head out into the gloomy morning toward their cars, the dread in the pit of my stomach deepens.
“Ma, Ma…I hate to interrupt, but I—”
I’m trying to talk over her, but I’d have to shout over her, and right now, there is nothing more important than this. There is nothing more important than my family. So, I shut my lips and listen to Ma talk. No matter how pissed off Mags is going to be at me for blowing this meeting. I made my bed last night when I fell asleep in the arms of a gorgeous woman instead of going home early and setting my alarm. Looks like I’m going to have to lie in it.
By the timeMa and I end the call, I’m back behind the steering wheel. I turn over the engine and head into downtown Star Falls. If I’m going to be on Mags’s shit list, I might as well bring a peace offering. I park in front of the bookstore café and squint to see if Ma’s there yet. Of course she is. And she’s not alone.
I yank open the front door and shout, “Yo-yo, Ethan.”
My sister’s son immediately jumps up from a toddler chair and runs to greet me.
