Robert and Carla know I’m her boss, but they don’t know the nature of the business I’m in. Hattie looked remorseful when she asked me to lie about it, insisting that while she has no problem with it, her parents just wouldn’t understand.
As I suspected, Hattie spends all our time over at her parents’ house. Robert is at work during the day, but because Carla isn’t well, she’s no longer working at the salon. Which has made for a long couple of days.
It’s given me time to see Carla and Hattie’s dynamic. Seeing how close they are isn’t easy, but I cannot reconcile the woman in front of me with the one I used to try to wake as a child, worried that she was dead. Seeing her well and the mother she is toHattie only spurs my anger because now I see what I missed out on, the kind of mother Carla could have been to me.
Hattie says my name, and I blink, coming back to the present. I turn my attention her way, and she’s frowning.
“Sorry, my mind drifted off. What did you say?”
She glances over my shoulder at the sliding glass door that leads inside. Carla went in a few minutes ago to get ready for her doctor’s appointment. Robert should be here any minute to pick her up. Hattie and I are going to wait here until they return to let us know how it went.
“Are you okay?” Her head tilts.
“Of course, my mind just wandered to work. My apologies.” I reach across the table and take her hand, stroking her knuckles with my thumb.
“I know you probably need to get home, but I really appreciate you staying to support me.”
“You are my number one priority, Hattie. I’m sorry I drifted off.”
“And that’s all it is?” She’s worried. All the shit is showing on my face now, and it’s transparent to her.
I once thought this woman was naïve, but now that she knows me, she’s too perceptive. “That’s all.”
“Because you seem really tense whenever my mother is around. It’s almost like you’re uncomfortable or something.”
Shit. I need to do a better job than I’m doing.
Thankfully, before I have to come up with an answer, the slider opens, and Robert and Carla walk out.
“Well, we’re off.” Carla’s voice shakes, revealing she’s nervous about the appointment.
Hattie rushes over and gives her a hug, then moves over to her dad to give him one.
Carla’s eyes veer toward me. “Why don’t you kids go swimming or something? Don’t just be waiting around here on pins and needles. We don’t want Bastion to think this place isn’t any fun. He’ll never want to come back here.”
Hattie pulls away from her dad and nods. “We brought our swimsuits today like you said.”
“Good.” Carla gives Hattie a kiss on her forehead. “I don’t want you sitting around stressing the whole time.”
She gives her mom a wan smile, and they leave. I walk over to Hattie and pull her into an embrace, wishing I could do something more, anything to make this better for her.
We separate, and she heaves a big sigh. “Okay, my mom is right. Let’s try to enjoy our afternoon. What do you want to do? I want to say a quick prayer, then I’m all yours.”
“In that case, you’re gonna get on your knees, but you won’t be praying, babe.”
She laughs and smacks my arm playfully. It’s good to see her smile, a laugh on her lips. It’s been days since they’ve made an appearance.
“Should I get changed into my swim trunks while you do that, or do you feel like doing something other than hanging by the pool?”
“I brought a book with me, and some relaxation sounds good. It’s hot out, so taking a dip might be good in a bit.”
“Okay, I’ll go change and meet you back out here.”
I give her credit—in my experience, religious people are intent on converting everyone to their cause, but not once has Hattie tried to push her religion on me. Never tried to get me to church, never asked me to pray with her, none of it. The thought that maybe that’s a bad thing, that perhaps she doesn’t see me as a permanent fixture in her life, crosses my mind, but I push away the insecurity.
I join Hattie back outside and see that she’s already changed into her swimsuit. It’s a noticeably different style than the one she wore at my house in Avalon Pointe. This is a one-piece, and though she looks fabulous in anything, it certainly isn’t close to as sexy as the bikini. I’m assuming this one feels more parent-approved to her.
Another side of Hattie has emerged since we’ve been around her parents, and I wonder if that will ever change.
