Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“Hey, Mom,” I answer the phone, swallowing my food whole, or so it feels. I grab the iced coffee, take a healthy sip, and wash it down. A shame really because any food from Wake Café should be savored. “Sorry, you caught me finishing breakfast, and I didn’t want to miss your call.” I’m hoping that will smooth the delayed response and muffled tone.
“Hi, sweetie, no problem. I wanted to reach out to you and talk to you first. I’d have rather done this face to face, but Kade let me know that you weren’t home.” Kade called my mother. Well, isn’t that an interesting tidbit of information he failed to mention. I swear, this man, he’s always surprising me.
“If you spoke to Kade, then I’m assuming you’re aware of everything else, too?” I ask, looking out at the ocean. There are several surfers waiting to catch a wave. One man in particular stands out. A lot of the girls and guys prefer to wear a wetsuit, but not Kade. He’s a board shorts kind of man, which helps me to easily find him. Especially with his choice of bathing suit attire today, black with bright pink stripping on the edges and big pink flowers.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” I promised Kade and myself I wouldn’t cry. There was no way I’d give him up. I’d live with the stigma if need be. Kade assured me that wouldn’t be the case. This was before he ever talked to his dad.
“Don’t you be sorry. You’ve got nothing to apologize for. I owe you one. Between this whole deal with Jasper and talking to Kade, I’ve had an epiphany, one I should have had a long time ago.” She takes a deep breath. I do as well, but also my coffee is calling my name, and since Kade knows my addiction all too well, especially when it comes to the summer months, he got me a large iced coffee, heavy on the cinnamon and caramel.
“Life isn’t always easy to navigate. I think we all got a reminder of that yesterday.” I break the silence. Kade starts paddling, riding in front of the wave, and I watch as he looks back, pops up, and then my man is doing the damn thing. He’s tried his hardest to teach me how to surf; it’s not been easy. I was ready to give up. My arms were sore, my stomach was aching from using my core to attempt to stand, and a slew of other stuff, too. Kade wouldn’t let me, and if it weren’t for me dragging ass, I’d be out there now. He’s also hell bent on the two of us riding together. On his Harley, it’s with me on the back. On a surfboard, it’ll be on the one he’s making for me.
“All the same. A mom is meant to love her child unconditionally, and while I would have loved to see you take your music to a bigger place, I know now that isn’t what you ever wanted. It was what I wanted for you,” Mom admits. At the end of the day, I understood her way of thinking. She wanted me in a more secure career, to make good money and have a cushion. The only problem with that is I’m not into flashy things. I live well within my means and have extras if I want them.
“Thank you.” Wanting to hear what she has to say and needing it are two entirely different things. I didn’t realize how badly I needed those words.
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ve got some more apologizing and groveling to do,” she says. My eyes never leave Kade. He’s on a barrel, albeit a small one, with us being on the east coast of Florida. I can see he’s completely focused, lasered in, and his arms are out for balance, hips moving from left to right as he rides the wave. “Anyways, the marriage is being annulled. Neither of us was in love with the other. I was in love with the idea of being in love. Jasper has, what I’m sure you know, a long past, and well, I’m really sorry, Audrena.”
“It’s okay. We’re okay. I mean, you’re allowed to date who you want, and so am I. As long as you’re happy, that’s all I care about. But maybe don’t spring your marriage on me in a public place, please?” Mom laughs, a true genuine laugh. It sounds like something I haven’t heard in a good long time. Maybe she’s been lonelier than I thought.
“Never again. I’m also going to take a break on dating. Maybe head north and go on vacation. I’ve been working for a long time, and I think I could use a breather.” This is the mom I remember. Down to earth, go with the flow, taking care of not just me but also herself. I’ve heard of parents having empty nest syndrome, and maybe that’s part of the equation. Only it’s happening years later, so a midlife crisis could just as well be the reason.