White Mustang - Rafe Cameron

Mothers and Fathers

"That boy, Hayward's son, crossed the line" A lady at the next table said.

"Well, what can you expect." Her husband followed her lead.

"I just hope they keep those kind of people away from us."

"They're disgusting"

"Rafe, honey, how about we get going?" I put my hand on Rafe's to get his attention.

Rafe stopped looking at the menu and turned to look at me with a quizzical face "But we just got here, didn't you want to celebrate our big investment?"

"I can't stand everyone talking about what happened yesterday, especially about Pope," I whispered to him.

"Oh, I understand" he nodded as he took my hand and caressed the back of my hand with his thumb "In that case, if you feel uncomfortable, let's go" he left the menu on the table and stood up, then he came to my side and took my bag "I can make better cocktails than the ones here" he said in my ear as he helped me stand up.

"Okay, handsome, you convinced me" we started walking and I stopped before we reached the exit "Go get the car, I have to go to the bathroom quickly, okay?"

"Yes ma'am" he said and then headed to the valet parking.

While I was in a restroom stall I heard how two ladies came in to wash their hands.

"Are you excited about what Dale said?" one of them started to say.

"About the Goat Island Nature Preserve? Of course I am," replied the other.

"More so with the new Figure Eight, right?"

"Of course you are, it keeps the dirty Pogues away from us, attracts more tourists. It's big business. Besides, with what happened yesterday, surely many of them will decide to leave."

"Rest assured..." was the last thing I heard before they came out of the bathroom.

With a lump in my throat I hurried and went out to meet Rafe.

"Everything okay?" he asked me as I got into the car.

"Yes" I replied dryly

My head was spinning, what the fuck did we do?

"Are you sure? You look pale" Rafe turned to me and grabbed my face with his hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I just...I haven't had my period yet, that's all" I said, clearing my throat.

"Oh well, let's hope that test was a false negative, right?"

"Yeah..." I offered him a grin.

---

That same day in the afternoon I dialed Hollis, I needed to meet with her and clear all this up.

Did I say anything to Rafe? No

I couldn't imagine how bad he would feel if this turned out to be false, he would blame himself for everything.

"Dear, how are the wedding preparations going?" A cheerful Hollis greeted me on her boat.

"They're going well, I think. But that's not what I came to talk about, Hollis."

"Well sit down and start talking" she said as she offered me a glass of champagne.

"I'm fine" I said taking the glass and emptying its contents into my mouth in one gulp.

"A nature preserve? really?" I said crossing my arms.

Hollis crossed her legs as she leaned back in her seat.

"People are talking, Hollis. Everyone is saying that Goat Island is going to become a nature preserve."