The Aftertaste

Chapter Twenty-Two

The sun beams in on my face, making it hard for me to open my eyes. I almost forget where I am until last night floods my memories. Greyson belongs to Joe. Joe knows. I look around and the hotel is empty. No sounds or movement anywhere. Is this how he felt when he woke up and I was gone forever. Lost.
There's a not on the table, my name scribbled in Joe's sloppy handwriting:

I had to go. Need to think about all this but we will talk soon.

My heart is thumping. How soon is soon. I snatch up my keys, folding the note up. I have to talk to my mom and figure this out. There's so much that could go wrong now and I'm not prepared for another setback. Please let her have the answer because lord knows, I don't.

Mom looks in utter shop at everything I've unload on her. Her mouth just opens and clothes like a fish and she's not making any noises. I should've at least planned for something like this and I didn't.
"Well has he called?"
I check my phone, several calls from AJ but none from Joe. What does that mean? He's still thinking? How much thinking does he need to do.
"No..not yet."
"This is something you can rush, sweetheart. You've got to let this fall into place or you'll be angry if it doesn't go the way you want."
So many scenarios cloud my mind. He could say he wants no parts of this and leave or he could want to be extremely involved. Too involved. I've done well with my son, by myself. I don't think I need him interrupting everything I've worked for but I couldn't just keep him from his son.
"Mom, what was I thinking? I mean, I could've done something. I didn't and now look, I'm in a pot of shit."
"It's boiling water, not shit. We discussed this and you decided to keep it to yourself. I told you it could backfire."
Now it's turning into an "I told you so" situation. Ugh. There's a knock at the door before it pushed open and Lizzie busts in. She looks like she's about to pop, literally and mentally.
"Hey mama, nice to see you. Danielle did you hear?" She blurts out. Mom embraces her and she grabs a seat at the island with us. Greyson is asleep in my arms and I try to hide him from her sight. Did Joe tell everyone? They probably think I'm some sort of slut or better yet, a selfish bitch like he said.
"I didn't? What's going on?" I ask, sipping my wine.
"Joe postponed the wedding. Aubrey will be in Italy with her family the next couple of weeks. Apparently they got into an argument and he feels like this is the best plan."
A fight? Postponed? This is my fault. My face must look like I'm in shock because mom eyes me.
"Well how serious was the argument?" Mom asks, prying for answers. She's a smooth lady, I have to respect her for that.
"I don't know, I just know it had to be bad. Aubrey called me in tears. I couldn't understand but she thinks Joe is cheating on her. He didn't come home last night."
Greyson stirs in my arms and I readjust. Lizzie looks at him, eyes filled with admiration. Or something else?
"I don't think he would cheat, I mean he loves her." I say, confidence in my voice.
The thought of him holding me, swells my insides. He said he loved me. Was I hearing things?
"He doesn't." Mom blurts out. I want to throw my glass at her. Why would she just say that.
"He doesn't?" Lizzie questions.
"I mean, why would he? She's absolutely ridiculous and from my bingo friends, I heard she always goes after rich guys. She's been married twice and engaged several times."
Now I'm really in shock. Aubrey doesn't seem like the type to have married multiple times but what do I know?
"Mama, what was your bingo friends doing discussing her?" I ask, knowing the answer.
"Well they asked when the two of you would work it out and I might've mentioned Aubrey being in the way."
Me and Lizzie make eye contact before we burst into a fit of laughter. My mom loves bingo as much as she loves gossip. If you want to know something, ask her.
"Well I rushed to tell you that because were going to the lake this weekend. I think you should come and bring Greyson. We'll all be able to hang out like old times. Plus, you and Joe seem to be on good terms now." Lizzie smiles. Does she know about last night? What would make her assume we're on good terms? Have they talked? Is she holding back information.
"I mean, we had to grow up eventually." I litter, shrugging.
"If that's what you call it. So will you come? For meee?"
Say no. Say no. Say no. Say no. Say no.
"She'll be there, she needs a break." Mom feeds me to the wolves. I have no choice now. Lizzie squeals before doing a little dance. I burn my eyes into mom and she looks away. A trip where Joe will have no choice but to be around me and Greyson. I don't think he'll be accepting of this decision. I could always get sick last minute or runaway to a new city again. I could start over; I've always wanted to change my photography studio name, this would be my chance. Somewhere warm but cozy.
"Are you listening?"  Lizzie startles me from my thoughts.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"Would you like to bring Greyson shopping so we can be cute on the lake!"
I laugh, Lizzie is always so bubbly, it's hard to tell her no.
"Yeah, let's do it." I roll my eyes.
My phone vibrates, a message from Joe:

I want to see you tonight. Send your address.

Tonight? He's don't thinking already. My stomach feels like butterflies and bats are swarming my insides. God, whatever you do, let this be easy.