23.6 Mom Life

Asia and Mary sat in an awkward silence as they waited for the server to bring their meals. With her nocturnal work schedule, breakfast with Mary was never on her radar. But after getting used to having several days off during the week, morning activities were not such a drag.

“Ok, spinach and onion quiche?” the server asked.

“That’s me,” Asia said.

He placed the plates on the table and left them to fight their way through the thick cloud of discomfort. The smell of the delicious dark roast was too tantalizing to ignore, and they sipped. The warm liquid flowed down Asia’s throat and settled in her stomach. A satisfying sigh seeped from her nostrils. As comforting as that first sip of coffee was, it did nothing to quell the awkwardness.

The breakfast date was supposed to be a fun thing, and Asia couldn’t let last week’s drama interfere with her leisure time. She took another sip and got down to business. “Ok … Can we just get this over with so we can move on to more exciting topics?”

Mary dabbed her mouth with the napkin in her lap. “Very well.”

“Are you ok? What did she say to you? What do you make of it?”

Mary cleared her throat. “Well …” She smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in her pants and sweater. “The basic gist is she was jealous of me.”

Asia almost choked on the new information. But, it wasn’t new at all. Eliza had displayed jealous behavior to her in the past. It made sense. “She actually said that?”

“She didn’t use the word but implied it quite heavily.”

Her demons must have been hideous. Eliza was not one to admit wrongdoings of any kind. When she apologized, Asia felt she was contrite. Now she knew for sure.

“What about you?” Mary asked.

All the air escaped Asia’s lungs. “I’m conflicted about it. On one hand, I understand that sometimes starting over is the only way. I’m not opposed to that. But, whatever this is about … I feel like she’s running away and should stay and work things out. I mean, I know her problem isn’t directly related to us, but we could help! Now she’s out there with strangers who couldn’t care less about her.”

Mary smiled. “You’re such a good friend to have. She missing out on that, for sure.”

“I haven’t thrown her away, Mary. She may have my friendship again if she wants it.”

“That’s big of you.”

They each savored a few bites of their meal as the conversation sank in and a new topic came to mind. “But, there is one thing that’s come out of this that I can’t shake.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, although I still feel like she’s being cowardly, Eliza is a very courageous person.”

Mary stared at her, awaiting the rest of the statement.

“I mean, would you have expected her to come apologize to us? She only came to me mere minutes before left they town! She was scared and did it anyway. That’s real courage.”

“What are you getting at, Asia?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about something in my own life, and I know I haven’t done it because I’m scared. I just need to do it anyway!”

Mary nodded. “So, a new endeavor?”

“Kinda! I want to stop working hard and work smart. I don’t bring much money into the house, and I’m away from home every weekend! We live just fine on Jared’s salary, so my concern is not that I need to make more money. But, I could do so much better for myself if I freelanced!”

A smile grew on Mary’s face as she continued nodding.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been approached about private events. I don’t like having to ask permission to take off or leave early. And, I have my own recipes I want people to enjoy. I want to be in control of my own life.”

“That’s wonderful, Asia. I think you should do it.”

“I’m going to. I just need to rip off the bandage!”

“That’s the spirit!”

“I need to discuss it with Jared, but this is definitely happening.”

Mary grinned at the mention of his name. She rarely saw him, so what could have sparked joy at the mention of his name?

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking.”

Asia’s eyebrow rose in anticipation.

Mary blushed. “I was just thinking about Reed.”

“Oooooh, yes! How are things?”

“Everything is wonderful. I was just thinking about how nice it is to have a partner. To be a team. Reed and I, well, we’re not married of course, but I feel like we’re a unit. I don’t have to face the world alone. I have a partner this time.”

Asia squealed. “I love it when you’re like this!”

Mary blushed again. “In love?”

“Well sure, I love seeing you in love! But, I love it when you’re open.”

She had transformed so much since moving to Willow Creek, and Asia had a front row seat during the whole thing. Mary was a brand new woman, and Asia was honored to be her friend.

“Would you marry again?”

Mary thought it over for a few seconds. “To the right person, yes.”

“To Reed?”

Mary grinned. “To Reed.”

Asia squealed again. “I’m totally bar tending the wedding!”

Mary laughed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves! I am satisfied with the way things are for now.” She paused and cleared her throat. “Though … I’m meeting some of his friends this weekend.”

“Good heavens! This is serious! Where is this happening?”

“Brindleton Bay at his parents’ old summer home.”

Asia resisted the urge to snort. People always thought the Pruett family had so much and lived extravagantly, but none of them had second homes and private staffs. Jayden, the legacy heir, was nowhere near that level. Or, maybe he was and decided to live as normal a life as possible.

“He always throws a party there when the temperature gets a little warmer in the spring.”

“Are you nervous?”

“I feel like I should be. Had this occurred a year ago, maybe I would be. But, I’m not going to put on a show to make Reed look good. I’m going because he invited me, and I want to have a good time. And, honestly, I feel like he invited me to be there with him and not specifically to meet them. I don’t know if I’m even making sense right now.”

“It makes perfect sense, and I’m still so happy!”

Asia had so many questions about this party like what she would wear, what the activities were, and if she planned to spend the night, but she knew her friend. Those kinds of details sometimes overwhelmed her.

“How are the children?” Mary asked.

As if someone stuck a pin in a balloon, Asia’s lungs deflated. “Oh, Mary. Have you ever had one of those weeks when you feel like you’re failing at this mom thing?”

“Hmph. Try a few years.”

Asia’s cheek reddened. “Right. Well, I’m definitely having a week like that.” She shook her head. “I have no idea what to do about Kori. It’s like, one day, everything was fine, and the next day she’s repulsed by all of us! I could understand if it were just me, but it’s all of us. Even Jared! And Kaiden. She used to love hanging around and making fun of him, but if she’s not in her room, she’s out. I don’t even know where!”

“Oh, Asia. I’m so sorry.”

“And Kolby! He told me his girlfriend knows she’s not my favorite person. Do you know how embarrassing that is?”

“Oh no.”

“And I still don’t know what Kaiden is up to. He shares as little as possible.”

“What about Kaleb?”

“I don’t know! He always gets lost in the shuffle. I know he needs TLC when he starts crying.”

Mary chuckled.

“Are you laughing at my pain?”

“I might be. Your children still love you, so I’d say you’re doing just fine.”

“Good heavens, Mary. Don’t say that. Your children love you too!”

“I know, I know. Things are getting better with Susie and I, yes. It’s still hard though.”

“I understand. My … What a pair of moms we are!”