A Hope and a Chance(46)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Well I just hope that your father had the sense to tell him how young you are. I wouldn’t want him staring in your window like some common creep.”

I rolled my eyes feeling defensive of Chance, even though I knew he looked in my windows. “So, how have you been?” I tried to change the subject.

My mom led me into the living room. I noticed a bunch of boxes lying around the room.

“It’s been hectic. With work and packing I haven’t had time to do much else. There is something that I wanted to talk to you about though.”

“I think I already know.” How could she have found out already?

She seemed shocked. “Oh, honey I didn’t want you to find out this way. I wanted to be the one to tell you, but I just haven’t had the time. So are you okay with it?”

“Yeah I was upset at first, but I guess it will be okay as long as he is happy I shouldn’t care right?”

My mother looked utterly confused. “Honey, who is HE?”

“Dad. Isn’t that who you’re talking about?” I asked.

“No! Does he have news that you know about?”

Darn darn darn!

“Well, I didn’t want it to come out like this, but he and Buffy are engaged.” I watched her face turn bone white.

She folded her hands before looking up at me. Her lips were tight and her brows creased. “For the love of…That. God. Damn. Son. Of. A. Bitch! How could he just up and marry the first floozy to come along? Well I hope she takes him for everything he has. It will serve him right.”

I shook my head and put my hands up to my face. “Mom, please!” She had to calm down.

“Sorry, Hope. That was uncalled for.” My mother apologized. “He’s just taken so much from me, and now he gets to live a new life, as if he didn’t destroy mine.”

“It’s fine. Not meaning to change the subject, but what was your news?” I asked.

“It isn’t important.”

“Mom, come on. What is it?”

“I met someone. He’s a nurse that works at the nursing home. We only had one date, but he brings me coffee when we share the same shifts. He is so nice, Hope. You would really like him. He was married for ten years to a woman that never wanted children. I told him all about you. I can’t wait for you to meet him,” she admitted.

I gave her a big smile and leaned in to hug her. “That’s great, Mom. You needed to get back out there. Dad’s loss is your gain. Don’t worry about him and Buffy. Seriously, just worry about you from now on. I’m just glad that you’re happy.”

“I got an offer on the house yesterday too. They want to settle before the month ends.”

My heart broke, but I realized it was something that had to happen. “Wow, that was fast. Do you need help moving? Oh my gosh, did you even find a new place yet?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Sam has a couple rental properties and one of them is available. You are going to love it sweetie. It has new carpet and appliances.”

“Who is Sam?” l asked.

“Oh, sorry. He’s the new guy I’m seeing,” she explained. “Why don’t you come back in the kitchen and I’ll make us some lunch and tell you all about him.”

For the next three hours my mother wouldn’t shut up about the new man in her life. Part of me wondered if she’d even remembered the news about my father and Buffy.

When she finally had to start getting ready for her shift I headed out. After the shock of everything I figured it had gone over better than I expected it to. Although she freaked out about my Dad, it was soon forgotten.

It seemed like my mother was turning a new leaf with her luck. I just really hoped she didn’t look any further into Buffy’s brother. If she asked me to move back in with her I would freak out.

I would miss Chance so much and it would be impossible for us to have any alone time unless we met in public, which was not my idea of alone. I was going to have to keep my fingers crossed that my mother was too caught up in her new life to worry about mine.

27

Before I left my old community, I pulled over and texted Chance. Part of me just wanted him to know I was thinking about him.

Hey ~Hope

Immediately I got a response.

Hey, Baby. Where are you? ~C

I got ready to text back and my phone started to ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey. What are you wearing?”

Loud music filled the receiver. I couldn’t imagine him having anything like that playing at home.

“Where are you?”

“At the bar. Trying to fight off this sexy lady next to me. She wants a piece of me.”

My cheeks burned, while I became annoyed with jealousy. It was rather disturbing that he’d speak to me that way. Thinking he was testing me, I kept quiet, patiently waiting for him to admit it was a joke.

“Hey, are you still there?”

I felt like hanging up…

“Yeah.”

“She asked me to hook up with her, but I told her I was gay.” He began laughing at himself. “She doesn’t hold a candle to you, baby.”

“Are you drunk? Why would you say you were gay?”

He cackled to himself before answering. “Because nobody can know we’re together right now.”

“She doesn’t know who I am though.”

“Hope, don’t fight with me. I miss you.”

He was drunk, and the sheer knowledge of his intoxication left a bad taste in my mouth…

“Chance, where are you?”

“I don’t fucking know. I drove out toward the park, and then I saw a bar. I’ve been here since Buffy asked me who I was sleeping with.”

“She what?” My emotions began to go awry. This was not something that I could take lightly. His answer would determine if I could go home or not.

“Yep. I told her you were a one-nighter. Well I didn’t say it was you. She doesn’t know ANYTHING!” His words were slurred and drug out.

“I’m on my way to get you. Can you come outside?”

“Why don’t you come inside and have a drink with me? I want everyone to see the guy I’m banging. You’re the best gay boyfriend. I like how you bend over and take it.” He hooted at his statement, as if it was entertainingly humorous.

Chance may have thought his actions were comical, but I wasn’t amused. He sounded horrible, probably having derived from his bad day.

“I am not coming inside. I’ll call you when I arrive, and you will get your butt out to my car.”