Page 24 of Hauling Ashe

“You cannot miss Julia’s day,” my son chided me.

“I’m not missing it. I’m on my way.”

“This is ridiculous, Dad. You need to get over your flying phobia.”

Oh, to be twenty-seven, fearless and carefree. Also, to be the insensitive bastard my son has turned into. For too long, I took the blame for, and brunt of, his attitude. He’d been lied to his entire life. He struggled with the truth, but I’d done what I did to give him the spoiled life he’s had, and I was over his ungratefulness.

“You left last night.”

My neck swivels so I look over at Mae. Today she wears a loose flowing shirt in thin material and another pair of jean shorts. Flat strappy sandals cover her feet, and a low ponytail binds her chestnut-colored hair. She looks young for her age, and I marvel again that she has children who are in college. I didn’t miss the hesitancy in her voice and the roll of her throat before I open up to her.

“I didn’t leave. I went out.” There’s a difference, but Mae’s face pinches as her fingers clench around the steering wheel. Rubbing a hand down my jean-covered thigh, I wonder for a second if I should share where I went.

“There’s a place I’m familiar with in the city that’s down near the river. We were so close I decided to Uber there.” Once I’d learned that Strings was still open, I had to see the old place. It’s exposed brick interior with low ceilings and fluorescent colored stage lights was exactly the same and yet entirely different than the place had been over twenty-five years ago. Time seemed to have stood still and it felt like only yesterday instead of half a lifetime.

“Was it fun?” Mae’s voice is still quiet and I’m wondering what she’s really trying to ask me.

“Yeah, I had a good time.” Suddenly, I feel guilty for not asking Mae to join me. She said yesterday she wasn’t familiar with blues music, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t like the sound, as her playlist holds several songs. I just wasn’t certain she’d like the place. I wasn’t certain I could enter Strings myself, but I had to see it. Like so many awakening memories, the old blues bar called to me.

Mae remains silent, and I decide to offer a little more. “I…There’s a guy I once knew who used to play there. A band actually. Blues music is the forte of Strings, the place where I went, and I just wanted to see it again.”

Mae softly smiles but it isn’t reaching her eyes. The blue iris isn’t flashing like those neon lights last night.

“Why?” I ask, puzzled by her quiet and the weak curve of her lips.

“It’s nothing. Just curious.” Did she really think I left her? I wouldn’t do that.

“Did you think something else happened last night?” I don’t know why I can’t let it go but something is on her mind, and I want to know what it is. Mae shrugs and I swear to God I want to demand she pull over. “Tell me.”

Mae turns her head for a second at my sharp command. Her fingers tighten on the wheel once more before her sight returns to the road.

“I thought maybe…” She exhales. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. Your business is your business.”

“Mae, come on. Tell me.”

“I thought you went out to sleep with someone.” Her eyes close for half a second and I’m grateful my coffee cup balances in my hand on my thigh or I’d be wearing coffee as I have two days in a row around this woman.

“Sunshine.” I softly chuckle. “I did not go out looking to get laid.” Would I have liked to fuck someone? Absolutely. But I have a strong sense that that someone is sitting next to me being all cute in her jealousy and anxiety over me sleeping with someone random.

Mae shifts in her seat. “Like I said, it’s not my business.” Her quiet tone sends a small current of regret over my chest. I should have invited her to come out with me. I should tell her the rest of the story. How amazing it was to hear live blues music. How energized I feel after the sound seeped under my skin, like a small, hidden cavern inside me has some light shining into it for the first time in a long time. Without thought, I reach over for Mae, brushing back hair that’s come loose from her ponytail and scooping the fine strands behind her ear.

“I wouldn’t leave you, Mae.”

She nods as she swallows hard and my fingers coast along the exposed column of her neck. Her skin is so soft and the tempting fragrance of her floats around me, invading my nose as we sit beside one another. The tips of my fingers drift to her shoulder before slowly pulling away from her. I miss her skin instantly but as much as I want to linger, placing my hand around her nape and keeping it there, Mae seems sensitive this morning.

“What did you do last night?” I ask.

“I made some phone calls. Then took a bath and went to bed.” The thought of Mae naked and wet is like a jolt of caffeine, hyperextending a part of my body that’s desperate for attention. I’ve just had my first touch of her soft skin and now I imagine the rest of her, water lapping over her tan flesh, parts of her whiter than the rest. Her nipples are a rosy pink in my head and her pussy matches that tender color. Leaning forward, I shift my hard-on as best I can while sitting so close to Mae.

“Did you talk to Jane?” She answered Mach’s phone when I called last night. They were both still at the office. Mach will be attending Julia’s wedding, but he’s flying out next Friday morning. I should have braved my fear and flown with him. He promised to get me drunk and assist me on and off the plane, but I didn’t want to tempt fate.

“I did.” She acts as if that simple sentence covers everything. What did they talk about? Did they discuss the trip? Did Mae mention me?

“Are you close to your sister?” I didn’t have siblings in a traditional sense growing up, so the dynamic of them always intrigues me.

“Jane and my relationship has ebbed and flowed because we’re pretty opposite. As we’ve grown older, we’ve grown closer. Unfortunately, Jane and our other sister, Lindee, butt heads. They’re too similar in personality. Plus, Jane likes to play mother hen and that annoys Lindee.”

“You mentioned a brother.”