“Did Rob’s mom—” I swallow, not sure how to ask this. “Did she love him?”
My mom looks thoughtful for a minute. She takes a piece of my hair and tucks it behind my ear, the way she used to do when I was little. “Yes,” she says. “But she loved her husband more.”
Six months ago I would have said it was impossible to love two people at once. Romantically, I mean. And I think part of me will always love Rob. But it doesn’t really stop me from having feelings about other people. It didn’t stop me from grinning like an idiot on that piano bench with Len. For the first time I’m glad Rob and I aren’t speaking. I don’t want to have to keep this from him. Or be the one to tell him.
“Honey,” my mom says, “can I ask you something now?”
“Shoot.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about Rob?”
I run my fingers over the cool granite of the countertop, playing with the grooves. “What’s to tell?” I shrug. “He got a girlfriend. He’s just not around as much.”
My mom nods, but it’s the nod she gives when she knows I’m not telling her the whole truth. The nod that says,I won’t push it, but I’m onto you.
“I gotta go finish up bio,” I say. “Thanks for being honest with me.”
She smiles and plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Do me a favor, will you?”
I nod. “Sure.”
“Don’t follow in your father’s footsteps. Don’t hold on to something for so long it hardens.” And with that she releases me, picks up her mug, and marches out of the room.
Scene Four
One of my mom’s secrettalents is that she can anticipate things. When I was little, she always knew when to pack an extra sandwich at school, what day I’d want to wear my green shirt, and one time, on a camping trip, she even managed to swing an impromptu visit from the tooth fairy. In other words, it doesn’t really come as a huge shock to me that she’s invited Juliet’s family over for dinner on Sunday.
I know my mom is just trying to smooth things over, but dinner feels like a pretty intense way to start. Might as well invite Rob’s family over too! Except when I suggest that, she just looks at me sternly and asks me to continue setting the table.
I’m all for letting the past be the past, but this feels like a bit of a stretch. I can’t believe they even agreed to come. There’s no useexplaining to my mom how painful this will be, spending a whole night with the girl who stole Rob right out of my arms. I try to fake a project with Charlie, but somehow all six of us wind up seated around our dining room table, serving ourselves pasta primavera.
Juliet’s mom brought roses, and my mom keeps commenting on how lovely they are. I think she’s said it four times in the last five minutes, but no one is saying much of anything else, and, well, it’s getting awkward.
“So, Juliet,” my father says, “how is school going?”
“Great,” Juliet chirps. “I mean, classes are good. I got the lead in the school play. And I have a boyfriend, you know. That takes up a lot of my time.” She looks at my father and smiles.We know. We ALL know.
Juliet’s mom’s eyes dart to her husband at the word “boyfriend,” and my mom glances at my father, then takes a big gulp of water.
It’s worth noting that my dad agreed to this gathering. Which is crazy, obviously, and probably speaks more to his love for my mother than his interest in any kind of reconciliation.
Juliet has said barely two words to me, which suits me just fine. I don’t have much to say to her, either—besides, you know, “Thanks for stealing my best friend.”
“Richard has been so busy with work,” Juliet’s mom says. “You’re never home, are you, darling?”
“Shocking,” my father says, and I can practically feel my mother kicking him underneath the table, even though I’m sitting two seats away.
“He’s been back and forth to DC almostconstantly.”
I look at Juliet, really look at her. I think about the rumors at school, how she’s supposed to be crazy and suicidal. But she doesn’t look like either of those things. She just looks gorgeous, and smug.
“Eat, darling,” Juliet’s mom says to her. “You haven’t touched your pasta.” She looks at my mother and smiles like,You know, kids.
My mom is twirling her spaghetti, but she stops and winks at me. The wink seems to say,It’s okay, we’re family, and this night won’t last forever. It’s like Charlie’s hand squeeze.I’m here.
Juliet is sitting across from me, next to my mom, and I see her catch the wink. She narrows her eyes at me.
“So what’s keeping you so busy, Uncle Richard?” I ask.
