“What's happened? You haven’t got Ethan’s stomach flu have you?”
“No.” Waving her friend's concern aside, she got to her feet.
“Is it Brian then?”
“Nothing to do with Brian either. I haven't heard from him since the carnival. It's my mother… she just came in.”
“What did she say this time?” Katie looked fierce.
“She told me that Brad is a strong man and I should keep him.”
The scowl turned into a smile.
“Totally agree, you guys are made for each other.”
“She told me to be persistent and go after what I want, and then she hugged me. But that was after telling me we should swap houses.”
Katie thought about that for a few seconds before nodding.
“Actually, that's a great idea, the house thing,” she added. “And actually the Brad advice is strangely good too.”
“She hugged me, Katie.”
“And that's weird?”
“Totally.”
“Weird in a good way though, Macy.”
“She told me she loved Dad, but said they weren't demonstrative like other couples.”
“Makes sense.”
“I feel totally off-balance.”
“Yes, it's strange when your parents break the mold and act out of character.”
“It is, it really is.”
“So about Brad, what are you going to do there?”
“Do?”
“You love him, he loves you?”
“He doesn't. Love me, I mean. He's just a nice guy, being nice to me and Billy. He's gone now, and when he comes back we'll be friends.”
“Macy, Macy, Macy.” Katie dropped to the floor before her and crossed her legs.
“Customers may come in, you know.”
“Sure, and you'll serve them. Now let’s get back on point here.”
Macy sighed, deep and long. “Do we gotta?”
“You sound like your son. Now, the man loves you, so if he says different he's lying. So I think you need to find out where he is and go get him. We'll watch over Billy.”
Her foolish heart started thumping hard in her chest at the thought of seeing Brad again, but she squashed the shiver of excitement.
