"Mother," he said, not hiding the shock in his voice.
"Why do you look so shocked?" she asked.
"Um...because this is the first time you've ever visited me."
"Are you going to let me in, or should I stand out here for us to have our conversation?"
"Oh, come in," he said, stepping to the side and watching her walk in with a suitcase he'd just noticed.
"Are you planning on leaving for a trip? Does Father know?" he asked, noticing her gaze roaming around his apartment.
"How many bedrooms do you have?" she asked.
"Three, but I use the smallest one for my studio."
"Bathrooms?" Ava left her luggage and then went to the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards.
"Mother, what the hell? Why are you asking me questions about my place? It's not like you're moving in here."
Ava stopped what she was doing and looked at Des. "That is exactly what I'm doing here. You're an adult now, so I will tell you the truth. Desmond, I've filed for divorce."
"Say that again," he said, thinking he heard wrong.
"I'm leaving your father."
"What the fuck?" Des cursed when he got over the one-minute shock.
"Stop cursing, dear. It's unbecoming," she admonished primly.
"Fuck that, Mother, you can't be serious."
"I most definitely am," she said, walking away. Des followed behind her, feeling as if he had entered a different universe.
Before she could get to the bedroom, Des stopped her. "Mom, talk to me."
Ava gasped and looked at him. Her eyes were a little wet, as if she was about to cry but held herself together.
"You haven't called me Mom since you were five."
"I didn't know it was important to you," he said. "But tell me what happened between you and Father."
"He cheated on me, Des." Her lips quivered as she spoke. "I sacrificed everything for him, especially my relationship with you, and for the last twenty-five years, he has been carrying on a relationship with some b—" she paused as he could see her anger building up, but she quickly collected herself, "—woman who gave him a son, who right under my nose he took as his protégé."
"What?" Des gasped.
"Des, dear, I'm feeling a bit tired; I'd like to get some rest."
He nodded without thinking and guided her to the guest bedroom. He realized that she had called him Des and not Desmond. Before he could close the bedroom door, she stopped him.
"I know I cannot apologize for all the years of turmoil I might have caused you, but I would like to try to make amends for my actions."
Des wasn't sure what to say, so he nodded and closed the door. His mind was swirling with what his mother had just told him, and as much as he hated to do it, he needed to talk with his father.
SCENE III
DES
Des got out of the car and walked into his parents' home without knocking. Since he didn't see his father anywhere, he went straight to his office.
