Heidelberg Castle is beautiful, the ruins majestic amid the overcast skies. Aubrey and I take a million pictures, exchanging phones so I can take pictures of her and Chris with hers and she can take pictures of Ace and me with mine. Though I force myself not to think about my mother or Sandra for a few hours so I could enjoy this amazing time with Ace and our new friends, it’s still lurking in my subconscious enough to bother me.
I confessed what was going on to Chris and Aubrey, so I don’t have to pretend I don’t have something on my mind, and Aubrey has been sweet enough to find subtle ways of distracting me, like taking dozens of pictures with the guys.
“I’m going to call now,” I tell Ace a little after three. We’re walking through the city, doing some shopping, and he nods.
“You want some privacy or would you like me with you?”
“I always want you with me,” I reply softly.
He leans over and kisses me. “I’m right here.”
I take a breath and dial Sandra’s number. Chris and Aubrey are hovering nearby, offering a little more unspoken support, for which I was eternally grateful.
“Shannon?” Sandra sounds as shocked to hear from me as I was when I heard she’s friends with my mother.
“Hey. I wanted to check in, see how things went with finals and if there were any issues.”
“No.” Her voice is somewhat subdued. “Everything is fine. You left detailed notes and Mrs. Pressman said the exams she’s graded so far have been excellent.”
“Oh, good. I was a little worried. I hated leaving like that.”
“The school is surviving just fine without you.” Her voice is a little edgy and I frown.
“Why do you sound weird?” I ask her.
“Do I sound weird? I don’t think I do. Why are you checking up on me?”
“Why are you talking to my mother on a regular basis?” I shoot back. I didn’t mean to show my hand so early in the conversation, but she’s being bitchy and I’m not going to put up with it. I’m already on edge and starting to get pissed.
Sandra huffs out a laugh. “Did she tell you that?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yeah, kinda.”
“You know I have money. Did you think I wouldn’t hire someone to figure out what was going on?” I ask in a cold voice, hoping I sound like I know more than I do.
“Look, you need to talk to your mom. I was just having a little fun, but I’m out of here anyway. I’m moving back to the U.S. next week. I quit today.” She disconnects and I stand there staring at the phone in disbelief.
“Honey?” Ace reaches for me. “Are you okay? What did she say?”
“Shannon?” Aubrey looks worried and Chris is right behind her.
“She…” My voice trails. “She said I should talk to my mom. Then she said she quit today and hung up.”
“Oh, Lord.” Aubrey’s green eyes are wide.
“Sonofabitch.” Ace looks furious. “Your mother is a piece of work.”
“What can we do?” Chris asks. “Would you want us to go back to Cologne with you? We have a few days…” He glances at Aubrey. “Yeah?”
She nods. “Absolutely. Whatever you need, Shannon.”
I take a deep breath and look at everyone. “You know what? Fuck both of them. I’m on vacation with the man I’m crazy about and I’m not going to let my mother, or anyone else, spoil that for me. I’m not going to do a damn thing but enjoy the three days we have left. There’s plenty of time to deal with my mother once it’s over.”
“You sure?” Ace looks dubious.
“One hundred percent. My mother isn’t going anywhere, and my gut tells me Sandra is going to cut and run without telling her that I know. So why deal with the drama now? It can wait until Saturday. Aren’t we going to Strasbourg tomorrow?”
