Bygones Read Online Free PDF Page B

lashes. He had an unhurried manner, and had adopted the rough-cut look of the young pop singer George Michael.
    Now he turned his head infinitesimally and unleashed a lazy quarter smile. “Been a long time since you played.”
    “Um-hum.”
    “Why’d you stop?”
    “Why’d you stop talking to your dad?”
    “Why did you?”
    “I was angry.”
    “So was L”
    Bess paused. “I saw him tonight.”
    Randy looked away. “How is the sddo.b .? ”
    “Randy, you’re speaking of your father, and I won’t allow that kind of language.”
    Randy worked his shoulders in irritation. “Mom, get off it. You hate his guts as much as I do, and you haven’t made any secret of it. Now all of a sudden you’re buttering up to him?”
    “I’m not buttering up to him. I saw him, that’s all. At Lisa’s.”
    “Oh, right. I guess she told you. So you bummed out or what?”
    “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
    “I was, too, at first, but now I’ve had a day to think about it, and I think she’ll be okay. She wants the kid, and Mark’s okay, you know? I mean, he really loves her, I think.”
    “How do you know so much?”
    “I spend time over there. She cooks me dinner, and we watch videos together-stuff like that: She helps me get my head on straight. Mark’s usually there.”
    “Lisa said you’ve agreed to stand up for them . . .
    . And to cut your hair.”
    He chuckled. “You’re gonna like that, huh, Ma?”
    “You got some girl who’s going to miss it?” she teased, reaching as if to pinch his cheek.
    He reared back and brandished both hands, karate fashion. “Don’t touch, woman!”
    They poised as if on the brink of combat, then laughed together and hugged. No matter the worries he caused her, moments like this were her recompense. Ah, there was something wonderful about an adult son. His presence in the house gave her someone to listen for, someone else moving about, a reason to keep the refrigerator stocked. It probably was time she booted him out of the nest, but she hated losing him, no matter how seldom they exchanged banter such as this.
    When he left, there would be only her in this big house, alone, and it would be decision time. , He released her, and she smiled affectionately.
    Then she said, “About the wedding He waited, settling back into his customary nonchalance.
    “Lisa asked your father and me to walk her down the aisle.”
    “Yeah, I know. - “And?”
    “And there’s going to be a dinner at Mark’s parents’ home to introduce the two families. Can you handle that?”
    “Lisa and I have already got that covered.”
    Bess’s lips formed a silent oh. These children of hers had a relationship that seemed to have left her several years behind.
    Randy went on. “Don’t worry. I won’t embarrass the family.”
    He began to rise, but Bess caught his arm.
    “There’s one more thing I think you should know. Your father and Darla are getting a divorce.”
    “Lisa told me. Old love-‘ em-and-leave-‘em Curran.” He gave a disgusted laugh and added, “I really don’t give a damn, Mom.”
    “All right, I’ve told you.” Bess flipped her hands in the air as if to excuse him. “End of parental duty.”
    He rose from the bench. “You better look out, Mom. The next thing you know, he’ll be knockin ” on your door again. He made a fool of you once. I sure hope you don’t let him do it again.”
    “Randy Curran, what kind of an-airhead do you take me for?”
    Randy swung away and headed for the dining-room archway. Halfway through it he used it to brake himself and turned back to her.
    “Well, you were sitting there playing that sang he always liked.”
    “It happens to be one I always liked, to[ * thorngg’I ”
    Randy leveled his gaze on her. “Yeah, sure, Mom,” he remarked dryly, then gave himself a push off the doorframe and left.
     
    Chapter Three
     
    THE St. Croix River valley lay under a cloak of winter haze the following day as Bess left home for her shop. It