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“I’m going to go to the restroom and then I’m getting back to your grindstone.” Elliot stands. “I mean, working for you.”
And she turns and hurries off.
“I like her.”
Mother.
My hand tightens around my glass and I slowly face the diabolical creature. “What’s not to like? Elliot’s a great person. But I don’t think you’re lurking—”
“I’m not lurking. I was at the luncheon, dear. I wanted to talk to you, that’s all.”
“Where’s your carrot?”
She takes the seat that Elliot vacated and a gin and elderberry cocktail appears in front of her, courtesy of a suddenly very attentive bartender. My mother loves that drink during day time hours when she has to be at events like this.
“I sent her home.”
“At least you didn’t pretend not to know what I meant.”
“Ryder,” she says, “why would I? But you knew I’d bring someone, didn’t you? Is that why you enticed Elliot along?”
“Yes.” I give her a narrow-eyed glare. “I like to bring a buffer, you know me.”
“Sometimes, I don’t think I do.”
I lean in. “I was being sarcastic, old woman—”
“Ryder.”
“—I asked Elliot because she’s fun to be around. You remember fun, don’t you? Oh, yes, that’s right, it’s what you do with your sons, have fun at their expense by manipulating Father’s letters.”
“Watch it, Ryder. I’m your mother, and you’re never too old to punish.”
I shake my head and laugh, sitting back. “You look spectacular for an old woman.”
“You really…” She stops and there’s a smile and I know she isn’t bothered by my attempt at an insult.
I love her, but she really tests me sometimes, and this whole thing is one big test. “Yeah, I know. Elliot gets pissed off at me, too.”
“Does she now? As I said, I like her. A lot. She’s smart.” She takes a delicate sip of her cocktail. “Don’t screw up, Ryder.”
“I’m not going to. It’s why I have Elliot.”
“Oh, darling, you have a lot to learn and so little time.” She sighs.
But I’m not going down that path, whatever that is. I have more important fish to go ahead and fry here. Namely, her agenda and how it affects me. “I want to know what’s going on.”
“I’m your mother. That’s what’s going on. I’m looking out for you.”
“Nope. Not buying it.”
She laughs, crossing her legs and toying with her glass. “Hate to break it to you, Ryder, but we share DNA. I’m your mother. I should know, I spent thirty hours in labor. You were not an easy baby to give birth to.”
I clench my hand. “You’re not funny. And I’m not letting it go. You’re up to something. Why the fuck are you taking such an interest in all this, in Father’s stipulations?”
“I was named dear, to take part.”
“Nope, I mean sure. I get that, but you’re taking more of an interest than is needed. Above and beyond, as they say.”
