What We Called Therapy After Dark novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Her Vote

My mother stood in the driveway with one hand on the car door and looked at the garage.

I came out of the side door barefoot, in the yellow dress, with my hair full of straw.

Mitch came out behind me with his shirt on inside out.

There was nowhere to hide.

My mother looked at me, and then at him.

Then she smiled, wide and warm.

"There you are," she said. "I knew you two would sort it out."

My mouth went dry.

"Sort what out?" Mitch said.

"The storm, silly. The power went out at my sister's too. I came home early to check on you." She lifted a grocery bag from the back seat. "Did you keep the cabinet dry?"

"Yes," said Mitch.

"Good. Come in, I'm making pancakes."

She kissed me on the cheek as she passed.

She smelled like her good perfume, the one she wore for dinners out.

I stood on the gravel for a moment, watching her walk up the steps.

She hadn't asked why I was barefoot.

At the kitchen table she poured coffee and talked about the weather.

Then she put her mug down and said she had news.

"Our anniversary is in ten days. Six years. I want a party." She beamed at Mitch. "Forty people, in the backyard. Lanterns. Dr. Keene's coming, he's been such a help to us."

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