If I allow myself to indulge my sexual fantasies further, it might influence me into turning this working holiday into a holiday romance.And another complicated relationship with a man whom I suspect might be a de facto Dom is the last thing I need.
“You’re right about not leaving my mom under a cloud, Theron.And thanks for the friendly confessional.”
“Luna leaves the kitchen open in case the guests feel like a midnight snack, Aila.I suggest you try the Bovril.”
It’s like he can read my mind, because a gnawing hunger has been plaguing me since we hooked up in the grotto.But that’s not what makes me pause on my way out.
“What’s Bovril?”
That deep grunt of laughter makes me want to stay.I find this man’s reassuring presence so soothing.
“It’s a British sandwich spread.But you can also mix it into hot water and drink it like tea.It’s extract of beef stock and yeast.Really good for the blood.Lots of B vitamins and shit.”
“Good to know you have a sense of humor, Theron.Good night… and thanks.”
I’m woken up by my mom shaking me awake.I was dead to the world, in one of those deep sleeps that feel like death, but I shake it off and rub my eyes.
“Aila.Listen, I’m sorry about the fight.I don’t know why I lashed out like that.Nothing in the past was your fault.Life just has a way of happening whether we like it or not.”
My voice is raspy with exhaustion, but I also have to chuckle.“Jeez, Mom.Enough with the dime store philosophy.I’m sorry, too, ‘kay?”
She doesn’t get up off my bed.Mom sits there fiddling with her hands, hair, and clothing.I wait.She’s got news, but she’s unsure if it’s good or bad yet.
“I’m moving in with Ben, Aila.He asked me and I said yes.We’re going to start a physical?—”
Groaning, I sit up while making the stop sign.“Ugh!Mom, please.We discussed this.I don’t need the details, just the facts.”Pinching my eyelids, I make sure my head is clear.“How do you know he’s not proffering the invite so he can screw you for the summer and then boot you out in fall?”
My mom and I have a pact to do this to one another: scrutinize the man’s ulterior motive if the other person is too smitten to see it.Mom doesn’t sleep with a man unless she’s living with him and a good many gifts have been presented to her.She has standards.No one can call Amelia O’Hara a cheap fuck.
“He’s been a widower ten years, Aila.I’m the first woman he’s invited to share his home.He’s a gentleman.And…”
Extending her hand, Mom shows me the ring.A vintage gold band with a sparkling diamond.Nothing fancy, but it is quality, if a little basic.I guess it’s a bit like my mom in that way.She stares at the ring with fondness.“It was his poor wife’s engagement ring.Ben says I can have the wedding band once we get married.”
Shit.So it is serious.Mom continues.
“I knew from the start.We both did.Next ferry that’s heading north, we’re going to Winnipeg to have a registry wedding.”
And so you can rub your ring in Laura’s and Michelle’s faces.
“We’re going to Niagara Falls for the honeymoon, and then we’re arranging for some new furniture to be delivered.”
No, you don’t like Ben’s stuff, so you want to replace it with furniture and fittings that are more your style.
“Who’s going to be looking after Ben’s ranch during his absence?”
Mom shakes her head.“It’s not a ranch, it’s an organic farm.Ben will have someone.God knows one of those unemployed bikers could step up.”Fiddling with the ring on her finger again, Mom doesn’t look at me as she talks.
“That Theron Hunter guy buttonholed me in the bar, trying to find out why you use your father’s name on your socials.He’s dead scary, Aila.You should watch out.God knows you’re beautiful.Your father was drop dead gorge, too, like a young Rafael Amaya.But you seem to attract a certain type of man with those good looks of yours.”
“I didn’t know I had a ‘psychos welcome’ mat strapped to me, Mom, but thanks for the heads up.And you don’t have to worry about Theron.I told him about…”
I don’t finish the rest of my sentence.I can’t even bear to say my ex’s name.He had me so spooked for so long, I wouldn’t even stand in front of the bathroom mirror with the lights off and say his name three times.In my mind, my ex is worse than the Candyman.
Mom hesitates, like she’s got more on her mind that she needs to offload.But instead, she shrugs and sighs.“I love Landslide, baba.No Wi-Fi for most of the time and only old Monty bringing the guests over.You’ll be safe here.”
It’s been so long since my naïve early twenty-somethings.I’m a big girl now.Why is my mom still worried about my ex?
“I canceled all of my social media accounts before we left to catch the ferry.You’re the only person I message anyway.”Giving my mom a hug, it feels nice when she hugs me back.“If this is what will make you happy, Mom, I say go for it.Don’t worry about me.I have a summer job, and Theron says he’ll give me a ride back to the mainland before fall.”
