Page 19

“It’s important to show dominance in a relationship,” Jimmy said.

“What the hell do you know about a relationship, boy?” Leo asked. “You ain’t dated hardly at all the entire time I’ve known you.”

Jimmy got a sappy look on his face. “Yeah, but some day I’m gonna find love, just like you had with Anna, and like these two have now too.” He gestured towards me and George.

Leo clapped him on the back, his eyes misty at the mention of his deceased wife. “I hope so, for your sake. Love is the best thing in the world.”

Martin

Things had been going pretty smoothly the last two months. Now that Lillian and I had met each other’s kids, we felt a little more comfortable seeing each other when they were around. After our successful lunch and video game trip to Dave and Buster’s, the eight of us went to the movies one Saturday. We took up an entire row, and spent a small fortune on popcorn and snacks, but everyone seemed to have fun. We’d also all had dinner together twice now.

We hadn’t done any sleepovers while the kids were around – in fact, we’d only done two sleepovers since that first one at my house – but that was going to change today. Lillian’s friend George had finally proposed to his girlfriend, and George’s sister was having a big engagement party for the couple. Because it would run late and likely involve alcohol, Lillian suggested I sleep over at her house afterwards.

I was thrilled, both by Lillian wanting to take me to an event with all her friends, and by the idea that she was allowing me into her home. It felt like a big step. The party was happening on a Saturday, so after spending the day with my own kids, I left them in Maria’s care and headed towards Lillian’s place.

As I drove there, I thought about the bomb my sister had dropped on me last night: her boyfriend wanted them to move in together. They were in love, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to take that step. I had a feeling that part of her reluctance was her feeling obligated to help me. But the fact was, the boys were older now, and with them being more self-sufficient, it gave both me and my sister more time to have personal lives.

Lillian lived in a large ranch house on a corner lot. I hadn’t been there before, but I was unsurprised to find the property tidy, with neatly cut grass and two large flower gardens on either side of the porch, a rocking swing hanging from chains on one side. I imagined Lillian sitting on the swing drinking coffee and getting a bit of peace and quiet before she had to go to work.

One thing I’d learned about Lillian was that she was always in motion. Other than when I’d worn her out with enough orgasms for her to sleep, she was always fidgeting or cleaning something with a cloth or straightening pictures, even when she was visiting my place. But early morning was her quiet time, she’d told me.

Logan, her youngest boy, answered the door when I knocked.

“Hey, Martin.” He greeted me with all the enthusiasm a fourteen-year-old boy could muster. “Mom’s in here.”

Lillian was on the couch, locked in what looked like X-box death match with Lincoln. They were both leaning forward on the couch, eyes glued to the screen, their faces masks of concentration as they punched at the controller.

“Hi everyone.”

Lillian made a noise that might have been a greeting.

“She’s trying to finally beat Linc,” Luke told me from the recliner. “Don’t interrupt her concentration or she’ll kill you.”

I sat in the other chair, watching with amusement until the game was finally over. Lillian jumped up, punching her fist in the air.

“I did it! Ha! I did it! I beat Lincoln!”

“Mama, what’s that you always tell us about being graceful winners?” Luke asked in mock disapproval.

She stuck her tongue out at him, then walked over to me, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. I snaked my arms around her as she moved away, pulling her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her cheek on my chest with a sigh.

One of the boys made a gagging noise and she pulled away with an eye roll.

“I just need a few minutes to get ready for the party. Do you want to join me?”

“Maybe later,” I said, noting that the boys were watching me carefully. It was one thing to sleep over, another thing to have them thinking we were doing something while they were awake and hanging out in the living room.

While Lillian was getting ready, I watched a basketball game on TV with her boys. They didn’t talk much, but with three boys at home I was used to their lack of communication skills.

Lillian returned twenty minutes later wearing an outfit I’d never seen before. I suspected it was new.

She was wearing a white sundress printed with tiny yellow daisies. The top part was fitted, then it flared out over her hips and thighs. She’d paired it with a short denim jacket and a pair of black cowboy boots. With her long hair brushed out and down around her shoulders and a touch of dark pink gloss on her lips, she looked like the Texas girl next door.

I wanted to push her against the wall and have my way with her but given that her three sons were in the room, I cleared my throat and said, “You look real nice.”

She gave me a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Wow, Mama, you look really pretty, like a girl.”