Two Lives, One Heart by Barbara Lynn Murphy

Author:Barbara Lynn Murphy [Murphy, Barbara Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-06T11:35:37+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

TRISH 1999

TRISH MOVED ABOUT HER living room and dining room, pushing the vacuum cleaner from corner to corner. As she did so, she remembered the last time her mother visited and the mess that ensued–literal and figurative. The stain on the carpet was covered with a planter now, and she moved it to clean underneath as she reflected upon that evening. When the phone rang a week ago, and her mother said she wanted to come over to ‘properly’ meet Josie, Trish nearly fainted. When she told Josie about it, Josie had almost the same reaction. The thought of sitting at the table as a couple, with her mother staring them down, was at best daunting. At worst, it was a train wreck waiting to happen.

Trish thought back to the night before when she lay in the crook of Josie’s arm in bed. Trish was fidgeting like a fish who had just jumped out of the water and onto land. Josie rubbed her hand on Trish’s arm, trying, but failing, to get her to lie still.

Josie finally spoke when she realized sleep was not coming any time soon for either of them.

“Babe, are you going to be like this all through dinner tomorrow? If so, we might have to give you a couple of doses of valium beforehand. This is not going to go well if you can’t relax.”

Trish got up and sat cross-legged, facing Josie. “Relax! Relax? How am I going to do that? Why is she suddenly eager to come over and have dinner with us? What kind of a scene is she planning? What is her motive? It makes no sense. Why?”

“Well, when she called, what exactly did she say?”

“She said she thought it was time you two met properly and could she come over for dinner one night. I was too flabbergasted to ask questions. I think I barely even answered with a yes, but I guess I must have because it’s happening whether I like it or not.”

“Don’t forget this is what you wanted, after all. When we saw her in the restaurant, you said you wanted to get together with her. Do you think she’s had some sort of an epiphany about it? Or maybe it’s just guilt. Or just imagine this! What if she genuinely wants to see you and get to know me? I know it’s a novel concept, but hey—you never know.”

“My mother does not do guilt. Of course, she dishes plenty of it out, but I don’t think she ever feels it.”

“You make her sound much worse than she is, I think. I’ll bet you five dollars I can win her over. Parents love me. On the other hand, their daughters tend to tire of me easily, but the parents are a piece of cake.”

“For the record, this daughter doesn’t think she will tire of you, but if you insist on punishing yourself, I will take that bet, and you’d better make sure you can pay up. You have no idea what you are in for.

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