Fractured [SHAWN MENDES]

~41~

Taryn entered the bar and was not surprised to see Earl sitting at the counter. Patricia was across from him, and she had a gigantic smile on her face.

"Hi, darlin'. You ready for tonight?" Tricia called out.

"What's tonight?" Taryn asked groggily as she approached the bar.

"It's the biggest night of the Toronto Jazz Festival! There are going to be hordes of music lovers and tourists out and about. The bar will be packed." She looked at her daughter. "You look horrible. Are you sick?"

Shaking her head, Taryn replied, "No. I just didn't get much sleep. I might call Shawn to see if he can come help tonight."

Tricia's brow wrinkled. "Earl and I were going to attend some of the outdoor shows, but maybe I should stay and help you instead."

This was the first Taryn had heard of this date, but it pleased her.

Earl nodded. "I'm happy to pitch in, too. I was just telling Patricia that she needs to add a second full-time person to work the bar."

"And he's right," Tricia said with a sigh. "I might advertise for some positions. I figure three people could divide up the busy times, and there are plenty of college kids looking for work."

"It's long overdue," Taryn agreed. "I'm still calling Shawn, because he'll be hurt if I don't. You two can go have fun tonight."

Later, Patricia pulled her daughter aside. "Are you okay? You're not one to have insomnia."

"I told Shawn about Richie," she said cautiously since her mom didn't like talking about him. "He needed to know. We were up half the night, and then my brain was on overdrive because it brought back so many negative feelings."

Tricia pulled her in for a bear hug and then stepped back so she could look at her. "I'm sorry that he's still haunting you. I'd give anything to go back in time and never marry him. You are an angel for staying in my life after I didn't listen to you."

Tears prickled the corners of Taryn's eyes. "Just don't make the same mistake again, Mama. You need to really get to know Earl."

"Believe me...I've been burned three times, and I'm not going to even step near the flame again until I know for sure that it's safe." She'd gone nine years without dating, so this was a pledge she took seriously.

"I'll act as your personal fire extinguisher," Taryn promised.

The older McAllister chewed her lip nervously. "So does Shawn hate me now that he knows what a horrible mother I was?"

"No. He was understandably shocked, but if anyone knows about making mistakes, it's him. Most of his rage was directed towards Richie."

Patricia's face darkened. "Sometimes I wish I'd killed him when I had the chance. Or at least cut off his-"

"Mama!"

"Well it's true. Let's see how much he'd enjoy his disgusting habits with nothing between his legs!"

This thought definitely lightened the mood a little. Taryn stepped away to get herself a coffee, and Tricia rejoined Earl who was eating a bowl of stew before returning to work.