“Sorry, it’s late, Ma’am. I’m a friend of Alicia's,” I explain. “I believe she was here today?”
“Oh, you belong to Siddy’s little gang.” She breaks into a smile when she spots the patch on my cut and opens the shutterdoor welcomingly. “Come in…come in. It’s a good job I made a big cake.” She laughs far too energetically for someone who’s just been woken up.
“I’m sorry, I can't stop.” It’s hard to believe this jolly, sweet woman is responsible for producing men like Griller and Greaser. “I have friends in the car; we were just a little worried because Alicia hasn’t come home and she’s not answering her phone.”
“They left here just after dark; they should be home by now.” She frowns, suddenly looking worried again. “Have you tried Siddy’s phone?”
“Yeah, but he ain't pickin’ up.” I somehow manage to hide the frustration from my tone. I just know that fucker is ignoring my calls on purpose, and I’ll bet he’s getting a kick outta knowing how worried I’ll be.
“Hang on, I’ll try him myself.” She leaves me at the door, returning a few minutes later with a pair of glasses on the end of her nose and her cell phone in her hand. “I’m not too good with these things, but Siddy likes me to have one so we can keep in touch,” she explains, scrolling through the five contacts on her list before finding his name and pressing dial.
“Siddy... Are you okay?” she asks when he picks up, confirming what I suspected. “I have your friends here; they’re worried about you.” She scolds him. “They’ve come all this way, an–” She listens to what he has to say, while I hold off on ripping the phone from her hand and giving her son a piece of my mind. “...Yes, of course, I’ll tell them.” She hangs up the phone and smiles at me warmly. “I’m sorry you came such a long way. He and Alicia decided to stay at a motel; you know how it can be when a couple first gets together.” I can see the idea of Greaser and Alicia together pleases her from the warmth in her smile. “If the poor girl’s anything like I was when I was pregnant, her sex drive will be through th–”
“Thanks for your help, Mrs. Stowman.” I stop her from finishing her sentence, as all the rage I came here with fizzles into hurt when I let it sink in that Alicia really must have feelings for him. I guess they really did figure their shit out last night.
“I’m so happy they’ve found happiness in each other. I was worrying about Alicia; raising children alone isn’t eas...is that Freya I see in the car?” Iris squints her eyes as she looks past me, and I see the horror set on Freya's face when she barges past me and rushes down her path.
“Freya, how lovely to see you again! You're looking so well. Which of these handsome men is yours?” Ruckus leans back in the passenger seat when Iris sticks her head through the car window.
“That’ll be me.” Ruck slides his arm around his old lady proudly as I join them back at the car, debating if I should try to find out what motel they’re at so I can check in. I know it’s over the top, and I’m probably in denial, but I just can’t accept that he’s what Alicia wants.
“Isn’t it wonderful about Siddy and Alicia? You know, she tried my old wedding dress on today while they were here. It was a little tight around the middle; I didn’t like to say, but I don’t think we’ll have to wait too long for a wedding,” she chimes enthusiastically. “Are you all coming in for cake? It’s choco?—”
“No!” Ruck answers far too quickly. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Greaser, but I have to get my girl home,” he tells her, putting on one of his charming smiles before side-glancing me.
“Then you must take some for your journey.” The batty old woman runs back into the house, and I lower my head and look at them both through the window.
“He’s taken her to a fuckin’ motel,” I explain, “You heard what she just said, they’re talkin’ weddings.” I don’t know how to process everything that's happening. I don’t know how to accept her wanting to be with him.
“I told you, you should have told her how you felt sooner.” Ruckus shakes his head and shrugs. I don’t appreciate his smugness; no one’s blaming me more than I am myself right now.
“At least you know she’s safe; you can talk to her tomorrow.” Freya elbows Ruckus hard in his ribs and then smiles up at me as if she pities me.
“Tomorrow could be too late.” I shudder when I think of what they could be doing right now. His hands touching her body, his mouth on hers; she could be making those sweet little hums of comfort she gave me a few nights ago when I held her. It makes me wanna tear off my own skin.
“Here we are.” Mrs. Stowman returns, handing out the slices of cake she’s wrapped in a napkin to each of us. “If you're ever in the neighbourhood, be sure to call in again.”
I smile as politely as I can manage before getting in the back of the car, slamming the door closed, and trying to bleach the idea of Alicia getting screwed by Greaser outta my fuckin’ head.
“Did I hear you talking to someone?” I ask Greaser when I come out of the bathroom. He’s looking comfortable and pleased with himself, lying on the double bed with his arms resting behind his head. I’m trying not to doubt that he was telling the truth when he told me they only had this room available. I was too busy trying to use that useless payphone to call Vike and let him know I’m okay to hear what the receptionist said.
“It was just Mom; she wanted to know that we got home safe,” he tells me, twisting his body to face me and resting his head on the hand propped up by his elbow. “You should come to bed,” he suggests, stroking the mattress beside him
“If your mom's call came through, you must have gotten service. Can I please call Vike and tell him I won’t be home? I had no chance of getting that ancient payphone to work, and he’ll be so worried,” I beg, hating the idea of him worrying about me.
“Sorry, darlin’, my battery just died, too.” He lifts it off the bedside table to show me the blank screen. “Vike should know you're safe, you're with me. I don’t see any of the other old ladies checking in with him at night.” He chuckles.
“It’s not the same, and you know it. Vike’s taken care of me for a long time; the least I can do is let him know I’m okay. Are you sure reception didn’t have a charger?” I ask him again, deciding to ignore the old lady comment; the idea of that is far too overwhelming. For years, I’ve dreamed of being one, but it was always Vike who I wanted to belong to. The idea of being anyone else's old lady is too strange to consider, and I really should have thought about that before I attempted to make Vike jealous and kissed Greaser.
“Sorry, darlin’, I asked when I got us the room. You really don’t need to worry about Vike; you're mine to look after now, and he’s gonna have to get used to it. Come and lie down; get some rest, you must be tired after dealing with Mom all afternoon.” He’s not wrong. Iris is a lot to take, especially for as long as we ended up staying. Slowly, I lower myself onto the bed and try to get myself comfortable. It’s getting harder to do, the bigger I’m getting, and it’s almost impossible for me to sleep on my back now.
“We should get under the covers, it’s cold.” Greaser shifts to pull them from under him, and when he reaches over to kiss me, I instantly go stiff. “Relax, baby, just because we’re in bed together doesn’t mean I’m gonna try anything. I’m happy just to kiss you all night and hold you in my arms.”
I smile as I get beneath the covers, grateful for his patience but knowing I can’t lead him on for much longer. I’ve been trying to get used to the idea of us, but it’s just not working.
“Come here, my perfect girl.” He wraps his huge arms around me and pulls me toward his body. It doesn’t feel the same as when Vike did it. It feels heavy and crushing, like something I want to shake off. “I wish I could have seen you in that dress,” he whispers in my ear as his hand strokes my belly possessively.
“I looked horrendous,” I laugh, trying to relax.
