Chapter 38
I sighed, not wanting to do this but I knew if I didn’t get this over with and find out what Julia was after, she would just stick around and I seriously did not need that. It was one of those times I wished Liam was here because he’d know what to do. I had told him about Julia’s surprise visit by email but also knew that access to personal emails was restricted for him and he wasn’t likely to see it for some time. I hoped that by then I would have dealt with the issue and Julia would be out of our lives once more.
“There’s a diner not far away. We could meet there.” I finally spo
“Great. I can be there in about an hour.”
Our call finished with me giving the address to the diner I worked at and agreeing to meet around 6pm. It was going to be a little busy but most of the crowd that went into the diner on any given Monday were school kids (and they’d be gone by now) or a few of the local clubs in the area meeting up to socialise. I knew we’d get a table and I also knew that it
would be busy enough to make sure Barry and Shirley didn’t have a chance to pry which was perfect because the less people involved, the quicker this meeting would be.
With the time I had leading up to my meeting with Julia, I decided to change and have an early dinner. I had no intentions of dragging this meeting out by ordering food and pretending to play nice. I just wanted to know what my mother was up to so I could figure out how to get her to go
away.
As I suspected, the diner was still on the busy side. There were tables free and I spoked the familiar
honey blonde waves of my mother the moment I stepped inside. She had thankfully chosen a booth
out of the way so we wouldn’t be noticed. Walking over, I swallowed against the lump in my throat, my heart hammering away in my chest as a maelstrom of nerves, frustration, suspicion and god
knows what else crashed down on me. Julia spotted me almost immediately, a nervous smile spreading across her mocha coloured lips and she stood as I closed in.
“I’m so glad you came.” She announced as she wrapped me in her arms as if this was some type of
emotional reunion while all I could do was stand there stiffly.
“I said I would.” I replied blandly, pulling away to take a seat on the opposite side of the booth she
had been sitting at.
For a moment I could have sworn I saw hurt in my mother’s eyes at my dismissal of her affections but it was gone before I could properly register it. Her smile was back immediately as she took a seat again, brushing her perfectly styled hair away from her face. My mother had always been proud of her looks and even when she was half–cut she found the ability to make herself look like a million bucks. Now was no different however she had certainly upgraded her wardrobe since setting up home with her new husband. I didn’t know much about fashion and designer labels but my mother was wearing them from the expensive grey fur gilet she had on over a skin tight black long–sleeve top to
the skinny fit blue jeans she had matched with boots that probably cost more than my laptop:
I see you’ve been doing well for yourself.” I commented, glancing pointedly at the massive rock on Julia’s wedding–ring finger.
Julia glanced at the ring before slowly moving her other hand to cover it. “Did you want anything to eat? My treat.”
“I’ve already eaten.” I replied, shifting uncomfortably.
“Okay well how about a drink? I could do with a coffee.” Julia glanced around to try and get one of the server’s attention, making sure to avoid my gaze as she did.
Someone eventually came over. While I was in no mood to enjoy any refreshments with my mother I reluctantly agreed to a cola, keeping quiet while my mother used all her natural charm to flirt with the waiter while he took our order. I doubted he recognised me and I barely recognised him since he worked the weekdays and I worked weekends. He looked like he was barely in college but seemed to enjoy the attention, sauntering away with a giant grin on his face and not once taking notice of me.
“Mom, why are you here?” I finally spoke again when our drinks were delivered and we were left in peace. “We haven’t heard from you in years save that Christmas card you sent.”
“Like I said, I wanted to see you.” Julia replied as she stirred cream into her coffee. “I know I’ve not been a very good mother but well… your grandmother dying put a few things into perspective.”
There was that bombshell again. Grandma was dead.
I knew I should feel something but I just didn’t know what. I hardly knew the woman and I didn’t have any memories to haunt myself with now she was gone.
“Like what exactly?” I finally asked.
“Like the fact I didn’t get to see you grow up.” My mother sighed, her eyes glimmering as if tears were filling them. “After your father left I was a mess and I was so young and alone. I just couldn’t cope so I made some decisions which weren’t great and I accept that but I want to try and make it up to you and be in contact more. I want to be there when you graduate from high–school and college. I want to get to know you and Liam and try to make up for the time I wasted.”
be seeing YOU
