Build Me a Dream by Sweeney Kate

Author:Sweeney, Kate [Sweeney, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Gay & Lesbian, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Lesbian, Fiction
Publisher: Intaglio Publications
Published: 2014-04-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Mom?” Yoyo asked. “You’re married?”

Eleanor couldn’t tell if Yoyo was angry or amazed.

“Uh…no, no,” Connie said, glancing at Eleanor, who still wiped her chin with her napkin.

“I’m so sorry. That was rude of me,” Eleanor said to Connie.

“It’s all right. You don’t need to apologize. I’d have coughed up my drink, too. I suppose that came out of left field. I was just about to tell Eleanor when you all came in. And I’ve been trying to say something since.”

“You don’t owe us any explanation,” Jean said.

“The hell she doesn’t,” Yoyo said. “Give.”

For once, Eleanor agreed with Yoyo.

“Yo!” Edie said severely.

“After what we just discussed?” Yoyo said.

“Wait,” Eleanor said, looking at all of them. “What did you discuss? Good grief, I was only gone for a couple minutes.”

They all sat in silence as Karen set their drinks in front of them.

“That was quick,” Connie said to Karen.

By her tone, Eleanor thought Connie needed a few moments to sort out whatever it was she was about to say.

Connie chuckled as she took a drink. “I don’t mind at all. I’ve been trying to tell Eleanor since you got here.”

“Why didn’t you?” Yoyo asked.

Eleanor leaned past Connie. “Because you’re a buttinski.”

Yoyo feigned being indignant. “Well!”

“Connie, ignore Yo. Please go ahead,” Edie said.

“Well, long story short, I struggled most of my young life about being gay. Did the whole thing of wanting to please everyone but myself. So when I met Mattie’s father, I thought that was a sign from God. We got along, and I thought I loved him, and shortly thereafter, I was pregnant. After a moment of terror and confusion, I realized that I wanted this child, but he didn’t share my enthusiasm. I told him I was going to have the baby, and if he didn’t want to help, so be it.”

“Did he?” Edie asked.

“Sadly, no. Well, actually that’s not true. At first, he did the whole ‘are you sure it’s mine’ scenario. But he did try. We got married, but it was a disaster. He wasn’t in love with me any more than I with him. When he got a huge job offer in Texas, we both decided to end it before we screwed up Mattie, that’s her name. She was just about a year old. And honestly, it was so difficult with him in Texas to be in Mattie’s life. He tried, we both did. But he remarried and now has a family. Mattie met him only a few times when she was a kid. It was hard for her, but she’s resilient and strong-willed. She’s going to be a senior in high school, and she’s extremely smart, which I’d like to take credit for. I’m hoping for a scholarship. She’s seventeen but acts likes she’s thirty. Keeps me in line, let me tell you.”

Connie looked at Eleanor, who had to smile along with Connie. “I’m sorry. I had no time to tell you. Things have escalated so fast.”

Eleanor reached over and held her hand. “I understand.

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