In My Bed (18+)

Chapter 19

Giulio's, a small but surprisingly authentic Italian restaurant, welcomed the three of us that Saturday shortly after noon. I'd arrived first, securing one of their generously sized four-tops for us. Mom and Mark had arrived shortly after, Mark opening the glass door for Mom.

Classy.

I stood, waving them over to the table, taking Mark's hand when he offered it for me to shake.

Then, as Mom was about to move her chair to sit, he pulled it out for her, gently pushing it back in.

The gesture, small and seemingly automatic, had Mom glowing, radiant with happiness.

She's in love.

My heart skipped a beat as I sat myself over his objections.

The waiter approached, taking our drink orders as I sat examining the menu.

Not that I needed to.

I'd checked out the restaurant last night, scrolling through the entrees until I knew what I wanted.

I was really examining him.

Our brief encounter the other day had only given me a superficial impression of him. If my mother was going to be falling in love with this man, I needed to size him up.

Or, I could just be happy for her...

Inwardly chastened, I looked down, staring at the offerings until I realized someone was speaking to me.

"Hailey?"

Glancing up, I saw their eyes on me, "Sorry - I'm torn between two of the lunch specials."

Mark smiled, "I can't blame you - this menu is endless."

"So," I began, my tone light, "how did you two meet?"

"Um," Mom blushed, "at work."

I immediately scented bullshit. "Oh?"

"Yeah," she cleared her throat, "you know, nurses and EMT's kind of interact a lot. Over time we just got to talking and then one day he asked me out."

I nodded, wondering what the real story was, and why I was becoming convinced that it began with some kind of torrid encounter.

Probably because she's being weirdly cagey...

As curious as I felt in the moment, I definitely wasn't up for learning the intimate details of my mother's sex life, so I let it slide.

The conversation moved on, turning to work and other mundane topics. I learned that Mark had recently moved to the city.

I was telling him about my classes when the door opened again. I glanced up and froze.

Amanda and Faith walked in.

Oh, Jesus...

Amanda didn't notice us for a few seconds, while Faith did immediately. Looking first at Mom and then me, she gave each of us an awkward, courteous nod before turning to the hostess.

But, as they were led to their table, they were led past ours.

Amanda's eyes widened as she recognized us, "Oh! Hailey, Denise, it's so good to see you! Gosh, it's been years now-"

-since the trial.

She seemed to remember the circumstances of our last meeting, the criminal trial that had put her ex husband, Paul, behind bars, and stopped herself.

"Well, we don't want to interrupt-"

Mark spoke up, "Would you like to join us?"

My polite smile fossilized into a rigid mask.