Brooke was too old for her mother’s chiding.
“Like I’m a puzzle you’re solving,”
“I suppose you aren’t too far off. I’ve been trying to figure you out since you were fifteen,” Susan laughed.
Brooke ignored her mother and decided to focus on her menu. She was aware that her mom’s gaze remained trained on her. After a few moments Susan spoke again.
“What’s going on in your world that has you meeting up with me for coffee? Not that I’m not grateful. It’s just that we usually don’t see each other two evenings in a row.”
She met Brooke’s eyes and gave her an expectant look. Brooke felt herself caving. Suddenly, she was a twelve-year-old girl curled up on the couch asking her mom to paint her fingernails again.
“A pipe burst in my apartment so I ended up spending the night with Drew from across the hall. And this morning we decided to date. The problem is that she is also dating another woman at the same time. Now I have all these feelings and I’m going to be staying with her while my damaged floors are replaced…”
Susan held up a hand halting her daughter.
“How did you manage to fit all of that in since last night?” Susan asked.
“Mom,” Brooke groaned. Her mother sighed deeply and gave her a smile.
“It’s understandable that you are having conflicting emotions. The best way to deal with them is to have good boundaries and allow yourself some time to see how things go. If down the road you need to have a conversation, then do it.”
Brooke had no idea who the enlightened woman in front of her must be. But clearly her mother had been doing some work on herself.
“This Frank guy seems to be having a positive effect on you,” Brooke smiled.
“Well, he’s been through a lot so he’s good at communicating. Speaking of Frank. How does next week work for us all getting together?”
“Next week should work for me,” Brooke smiled. It was nice to see her mom happy again.
“Good. If things are pretty settled with Drew, maybe you can bring her along,” Susan suggested.
“A double date, huh? You sure we’re ready for that?”
“We’ll never know if we don’t try,” Susan teased. Brooke laughed. There was something lighter in her interactions with her mom.
A warmth that had been gone for a long time had returned between them. Just a flicker barely enough to even be called a flame. Brooke couldn’t put a finger on what exactly had changed between them. Recently she had felt a longing for the closeness she once had with her mother. It seemed as though Susan had felt the same longing.
“Tell me more about this Frank guy,” Brooke laughed.
“Well, he’s my age. He’s really sweet and kind. He’s divorced and has a daughter that he’s estranged with. He’s hoping he can reconnect with her soon.”
“Can I ask why they’re estranged? Or is that too personal?” Brooke asked.
“Frank is pretty open about everything he’s been through. While he was married, he struggled with alcoholism. It ultimately led to his divorce and losing contact with his daughter. He’s been sober for over ten years. I know he’s very remorseful about his past.”
Brooke was quiet for a long time; she considered her words carefully.
“I think it’s admirable that he’s fought for his sobriety and is trying to make amends with his daughter. Sounds like a rough situation and like he’s doing the best he can.”
“I really can’t wait for you to meet him,” Susan smiled softly at her daughter.
“If he’s important to you then I’m excited to meet him too.”
The two of them enjoyed the rest of their visit talking about Brooke’s plans for the bookstore. When she made her way back to Drew’s place Brooke was stunned by how quiet the place was. Drew was obviously still out with Robin. She caught Pearllying outstretched on a new blow-up mattress in the living room and smiled.
Brooke was the kind of tired that settled into a person’s bones. She opened the door to Drew’s bedroom and sighed at the emptiness. Brooke changed clothes and slipped beneath the covers. She longed for sleep, but restlessness clung to her.
Brooke couldn’t escape the thoughts that swirled in her mind about Drew and Robin. She wondered what the two of them were doing on their date? She wondered how Drew truly felt about the other woman?
