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I approach the two women and get there in time to grab Jessica’s hand as it raises toward my mother’s face. She looks up at me, outrage in her expression.
“Look what we have here. The product of your mother’s transgressions,” Jessica spits.
“Graham,” my mother says softly.
Very slowly, I step in front of her until the only thing in Jessica’s line of sight is me.
“Don’t you think you’re getting too old for this?” I ask tiredly.
She scoffs. “Of course, you defend your mother. She likes to prance around like she’s so innocent, but at the end of the day, she’s just a home-wrecker. A woman who seduced a married man. A gold digger.”
Honestly, it’s nothing I haven’t heard from her before. I distinctly remember her saying all this twenty-five years ago, the day we moved into the house. And several times since. But I always thought she was just the bitter ex until I learned that everything she had been saying all those years... is true.
“If you’re done, then leave. I really hope you grow up one of these days, Jessica. And please stop insulting my mother. The next time I come across you even talking to her, I won’t be so nice.”
She glares at me for a couple more seconds before walking away. Once she’s gone, I sigh and turn around.
“You didn’t have to step in, honey,” my mom says. “I was fine.”
“Stop letting people treat you like shit mom. You deserve better,” I mutter. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you to your hotel.”
Her eyes narrow. “I can smell the alcohol on your breath, Graham.”
“Oh, right. I had a few drinks,” I remember.
She studies my face for a few seconds. “Give me your keys. I’ll drive.”
That amuses me. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a car with my mother behind the wheel before. “Can you even drive?” I ask.
She smiles. “I’ll have you know I’m a great driver. There just haven’t been many reasons for me to drive since I married your father.”
Because he barely gave her any freedom. She was relegated to a trophy wife, pretty young arm candy for him to show off to his friends. She was driven anywhere she needed to go by the chauffeurs. The reminder has my mood souring. I swear, today’s been nothing but an emotional rollercoaster.
“Just don’t crash. The car’s my baby,” I tell her, placing the keys in her hand.
She follows me to where it’s parked and I get into the passenger side, my eyes falling closed almost as soon as I’m seated. I’m not asleep; I just have nothing to say. She doesn’t speak either.
The next time I open my eyes, she’s pulling into the underground parking lot of the penthouse. I turn to look at her.
“I thought you were driving to the hotel.”
She smiles, her brown eyes gleaming. “I thought I’d spend the night here with you, honey. Kay said she was staying here, too.”
“Really? Are you sure Father is going to let you?”
“Your father doesn’t control everything I do, Graham,” she says, frowning.
I scoff. There’s no way she actually believes that.
“Alright. If you want to, you can stay here for the night,” I relent.
She nods happily. We head inside the building and up the stairs. As soon as we’re through the elevators doors, I’m walking across the room and towards the kitchen. My follows me, of course. I don’t miss the worry in her expression when I grab a bottle of beer, opening it and taking a long swig.
“Is something wrong, honey?”
I don’t reply, ignoring her as I walk into the living room. I take a seat on the couch, drinking more of my beer.
“Graham, I know you don’t agree with how I’ve chosen to live my life, but the least you could do is answer if I ask you a question. I’m still your mother,” she scolds.
