My Heart to Fear by Lulu Astor

Author:Lulu Astor [Astor, Lulu]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: I, Sisyphus Publications
Published: 2014-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

“Ali! My sweet daughter, I’m thrilled to see you.” Her mother lunged at her, wrapping her in a wild embrace.

“Wow, you really did miss me, huh, Mom?” She looked around her, scanning all the people milling about. “Where’s Dad?”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Ali… but I’ve recently become a golf widow. Can you believe it?”

“Golf? Dad? No, way: I don’t believe it. He was always ragging on it.”

“I know. Well, to be fair, he was sort of forced into it… but now? Obsessed.” She sang the word and Ali laughed.

“Oh, well. I suppose now I can go shopping for his birthday gift.”

“I’ve already bought him one from you, honey. I hope you don’t mind?”

“No, of course not.” She examined her mother more closely. “You look fantastic, Mom. What’s your secret?”

“Caustic chemicals.” She laughed. “I got a chemical peel… but I think I look good because I feel so great. Things are very nice at home and Grandpa is finally getting his company on better footing so peace is once again reigning in the Randall/Spencer home. So tell me all about you.”

“Mom, I have a ton to tell you. Let’s get my bag and then maybe we can go have coffee?”

“Divine. Let’s go. Why did you check your bag anyway?”

“I couldn’t find my carry-on so I just took the larger one. It’s no biggie except it cost me more money. But this way, I can buy stuff… or more accurately you could buy me stuff.” She winked at her mom.

“Bribery and extortion, huh? Oh, honey, I’d pay my last dollar to see you.”

“Well, I don’t plan to make you spend your last dollar, Mom. Oh, there’s my bag,” she said as soon as they got to the carousel. “First one out—how lucky is that?”

A half hour later they were each sipping a latte and Ali was bringing her mother up to date about school and her two men. She hadn’t meant to share so much but she desperately needed a female shoulder to lean on and Shea was too far away now.

“So you’re actually dating your professor? Isn’t that unethical on his part?”

“Sort of. It’s also against university policy. But it just started and as he pointed out, he’s awarding me an A for the work I’ve already completed in class prior to the start of our… whatever… so it’s not as if my grade is contingent on my doing anything with him. And—”

“Are you still working on—”

Though it was only her mom, she still felt the heat crawl up her neck. “It’s conquered, Mom.”

Her eyes widened. “Your professor?”

“No. Someone else. I was just about to get to him.” She launched into the story about meeting Eric.

“Well, Eric sounds like an important man. What’s his last name?”

“Ali?” A high-pitched woman’s voice interrupted their conversation and Ali looked over.

“Oh my God! I cannot believe I’m seeing you. How are you, Carina?”

“I’m good, I’m good. I heard you’re living in Boulder, going to grad school? Hi, Mrs. Spencer!”

“Hello, Carina.”

“Yes, I am.

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