“No, I…" she lets out another deep, bracing breath, and then takes the phone and answers it."Mal, hi.I'm so, so,sosorry, honey.I'm sorry.I'm okay."
I can hear the other side of the conversation quite clearly."What thehell, Mom?I woke up and you weren't here.Whereareyou?Why didn't you come home last night?Why didn't you even, like, check in or shoot me a text?I must've called you like a dozen times and sent you at least thirty texts."
Morgan freezes, looking at me as if I'm supposed to know what she should tell her daughter."I…" her throat moves as she swallows hard.Her eyes close for a beat, and then open."I'm gonna be honest with you, Mal.I went over to hang out with Noah—with Captain…um, Coach Austin.And I…well, honestly, I fell asleep.I'm so sorry, Mal.I'm sorry I…god, I'm the worst.So irresponsible."
"Mom—Mom.Stop."To my surprise, Mallory sounds more amused than anything, now."It's okay.I was just worried.This isn't like you and I was scared something had happened to you—something bad.But you're okay.You're safe, right?Youareokay?"
“Yes, yes, I…yes, honey, I’m fine.Totally fine, just pissed at myself and embarrassed.I'm the mom, the adult, and this is a terrible example to set."
"Mom, Jesus, just stop.I'm not a kid.And I told you, I'm on board with you and Coach Austin spending time together.Just, next time you have a sleepover, maybe let me know?"
"It wasn't like that, Mal.I really did fall asleep by accident."
“Okay, Mom."
Morgan sighs."I'll be home in a few, I just—"
"Mom, relax.You don't have any lessons ’til this afternoon, right?"
"Right…"
"So…no need to rush home.It'sohhhh-kayyyy.”She draws the word into several syllables.“Now that I know you're not dead in a ditch somewhere, I'm fine.I have homework and laundry to do all day anyway, so I wouldn't mind having the house to myself for a bit."
"Why are you up so early anyway?"I ask.
Mal isn't a naturally early riser like me.Left to her own devices, she's usually up around nine or ten, eleven at the latest in the summers, but never before seven if she can get away with it and before five only at gunpoint.
"Well you weren't here when I got home from Nicola's, and I tried to stay awake, but I couldn't and then I woke up worried because I could just tell you weren't here."
"Again, baby, I'm so sorry for worrying you.I apologize, Mallory.I promise you, it won't happen again."
"Mom, relax,holy shit.I'm not mad or upset.I was just worried.Please, don't let this derail whatever you've got going on with Coach Austin."
Morgan sighs."Yeah, yeah.Thanks for understanding, kiddo.I love you."
"Love you too."A pause."And Mom?"
"Mal?"
"I'm proud of you for getting back out there.After…what we talked about."
"Well I wouldn't be too proud, seeing as how this first foray into…things…has gone so far."
"You're just out of practice.You gotta work on your game.Show him the rizz."
"The what?"
A scoffing laugh."I was being ironical.Nevermind.Don't rush home.Have fun.I love you.Bye, Mom!"
Morgan pulls the phone away and looks at it, verifying that Mallory did in fact hang up on her.
She then looks at me."Noah, I…" She glances at her phone again, then at me once more."Did you…could you…?"
I shrug."I wasn't trying to listen, but yeah, I could hear both sides."
She blushes pink."God, I'm so mortified."
I cross to her and hold her arms."Don't be."
