That’s why I’m taking her out on a date today. A real one. And it’s not just an invitation to my room to fuck. This date is something fun to take her mind off her money troubles and everything else she’s been worrying about. She’s supposed to be in that limo on her way to Club Headquarters with the rest of the girls, but I’ve pulled her off the line.
After all, my girl’s been scrabbling her whole life and hasn’t had time to have fun. She’s young and vibrant and deserves to enjoy life a little.
Taking her to Six Flags in Jersey should help with that. With a grin, I grab my wallet and keys. I can’t wait to see her face light up when she figures out where we’re going.
***
“Oh my God! I can’t believe this!” Trina bounces up and down in the back seat of my chauffeured Town Car as the driver brings us to a stop outside Six Flags. “This is so amazing! When you said we were going out this afternoon, I never thought…” Her big brown eyes are wide and sparkling as they eat up the sight of the snaking roller coasters, the towering rides, and tall trees making up the silhouette of the park. After taking a deep breath, she turns to me. “Thank you, Grayson. I’ve never been here before.” She pauses, embarrassed. “It’s a little more than I can afford, with everything else going on.”
Her happiness is contagious and I can’t even hide my pleased grin. Like a sap, I brush the back of my fingers against her soft cheek. “I know, sweetheart. You can pay me back later.” As if I’d ever allow her to give me back a single dime. “Come on, the park is waiting.”
But my cell phone rings a second later. It’s a familiar ringtone.
“One second, sweetheart.” I pluck the phone out of my pants pocket and step to the side, hoping the call isn’t going to be too bad. I know how I fucked up. “Hello, Mother.”
“Darling!” My mother’s clear New England accent barrels out at me through the phone. “I was worried you’d be too busy with your hooligan friends to answer your own mother’s call.” She chuckles like she just told the funniest joke.
“You know I always have time for you, Mother,” I say with a grimace at Trina, who stares at me in shock. Why, does she think I just hatched from a gorgon or something? Despite my mother’s chiding voice on the phone and the scene I know that’s about to come, I smile.
Even though I want Trina exactly where she is, I don’t want her to hear me talking to my mother. That woman can make me feel like a kid in a high chair with just a few words.
Ah, well, it’s not like I have a choice right now.
“If that were true, Gray, my darling, you would’ve been up to visit this past weekend like you promised.”
Shit! Was that last Saturday? I thought she was going to ream me out for not RSVP’ing to her charity holiday ball.
“Mother—”
“You don’t have to say another word, darling. I can tell you forgot all about the woman who gave birth to you.” She makes a noise like a wounded animal, but it’s only a little bit sad because it sounds like she’s laughing at the same time. “I just hope those little boys you gallivant with all over the city can provide you with a nice home-cooked meal and forgiveness when you need it the most.”
Jesus, where does this lady get this stuff? Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I run a hand through my hair and wince when I see Trina’s look of surprise slowly melt away to become something else.
“I’m sorry, Mother, I did forget about dinner with you and Pop. It’s my fault.”
On the seat next to me, Trina watches me with fascination. Her big, brown eyes are wide and a small smile curves up her pretty red mouth. I turn away so she doesn’t see the slight embarrassed red in my cheeks.
“Well, you can make it up to us by making another date with us for sometime soon and actually follow through.” Although her tone is firm and motherly, I can hear the steel behind it. “Can you do that, my darling son?”
Of course I can. I’m absolutely helpless against the women I love. “I’ll set up something with you and Pop soon. Maybe for next weekend?”
“Check your calendar and let me know for sure,” Mother says airily as if she didn’t just make me feel like a little boy in his time-out chair. “We’ll have your favorites for dinner while you squirm with guilt and make sure you never stand us up for a meal ever again.”
“When you put it that way, how can a good son resist?” I ask drolly.