My Ex-Bestfriend

The last straw

We are snuggling on the couch post food coma when Mrs. James casually waltzes in.

I am comfortably furrowed into the crook of Michael's shoulder as he gently caresses my hair. This simple act is quieting the voices in my head wanting to scream for his stupidity on joining a team that's hours away from where we currently live. I am trying to keep our affections limited in front of Walt until we can have another heart to heart. Walt is lounging across both our laps as he dozes in and out of sleep. It is so serene, too serene.

Mrs. James puts her hands on her hips, " Allison, let's leave the boys to be boys with their football and how about the ladies clean up and set up for dessert?" I hold in a grumble.

First because she used Allison and everyone knows I prefer Allie. I am sure she knows this but it's one of those slight digs that goes unnoticed by Michael. Second because I have been teleported back to the 1950s. Michael gives me a grin but squeezes my thigh as I stand up. I hope he takes this as a sign of me compromising because in the very near future he too will be doing lots of compromising. 

"Sure thing." I chime. I am the real MVP of today and Michael better not forget it.

I look over my shoulder and mouth "help me" to Michael. He just chuckles and diverts his gaze back to the TV.

I mosey into the kitchen grabbing an extra apron off the hook and tying it on. She scrubs a dish then passes it to me as I load it into the dishwasher.

"It's been quite the shock finding out about Walt and you, " she breaks the silence.

So direct. Never a "Hi how are you?" or a " My how you have managed to raise a precious boy single handedly, even graduating college? " Or how about "What are your future goals in life?" At this point I would even take the basics like "what's your favorite color so I can knit you a sweater?"

Nope not Mrs. James. She goes for the jugular.

"Really? It shouldn't be after all it's just simple biology," I quip back. I mentally high five myself for not being a punching bag anymore. Being a mom most certainly teaches you to have a backbone, it's that mama bear instinct. 

She stifles her shock as she has to come to grips that her precious perfect boy slummed it next door in the sheets with me.

"I know how biology works," she huffs.

"You know I imagine it was just as shocking when I found out that Colleen's mother is perfectly alive and never had any bout of cancer."

The words are out of my mouth before I can think of any fear in saying them. Mrs. James was always this big scary monster to me when I was a kid. I became nervous and filled with anxiety in her presence seeking approval like a tiny yappy dog. Not anymore. I don't need her approval. I am also her equal now. Mother to mother. I want her to know that I see her for who she is. She might have the wool pulled over Michael's eyes but not me. She is nothing but a meddling judgmental woman.

Mrs. James wears a triumphant smile on her face that it took all these years for me to finally uncover the truth of her lies.

"I'm sure you have figured out by now that you will do just about anything to keep your baby safe." She smugly retorts without a shred of remorse. I am not sure this woman even knows what remorse is.

"Safe implies I was the danger and since your son failed to get the condom talk I would assume he was the REAL danger." A dish clashes in the sink with my curt response at condoms. I bet Michael never even got a sex talk. They just assumed he would wait for marriage or become a priest. 

"You were a danger when you showed up soaking wet on my doorstep 8 years ago! You were a danger to everything my baby boy worked so hard to achieve and you were going to make him throw it all down the drain for some sub par dream!" She seethed. "You are the one who lied to ME when you said you were putting it up for adoption!"