He looked into her smiling ebony eyes. “That’s high praise from you.”
There was a time when he and Ramona couldn’t stand each other. Now that she was dating one of his best friends, they were both making an effort to get along.
Darius glanced toward the front of the store as three women entered dressed as flappers. He blinked, but the mirage didn’t disappear. The new arrivals only drew closer.
“Mom?” Darius blinked again.
Beside him, his father tensed. “Ethel?” Simon sounded as though he were choking.
Darius’s mother as well as Ean’s mother, Doreen, and Jackson’s girlfriend, Audra, wore similar flapper costumes: a black headband with a matching feather; sequined, tank-style dress with spaghetti straps and fringe hem; and black pumps. The only difference was the color of their dresses. Ethel’s was silver, Doreen’s copper, and Audra’s gold.
Jackson crossed to Audra. He took her arm and spun her around, causing her hem to flare. “You’re beautiful.”
“Great costume, Mom.” Ean’s voice was warm with affection.
Darius’s mother seemed like a different person. She looked ten years younger and ten times happier than he’d ever seen her. He didn’t know what to say.
Simon didn’t have that problem. “Ethel, what the hell’re you wearing?”
“Who the hell wants to know?” Ethel shot back.
“You look great, Mom.” Darius looked at the other two women. “You all do.”
“I feel happier than I have in thirty-four years.” Ethel slid her estranged husband a look before shimmying her hips so the fringe hem swirled around her.
“So do I.” Simon’s scowl contradicted his claim.
Darius rubbed his eyes with his left thumb and two fingers. Did either of his parents realize he’d been born thirty-four years ago? Did they care?
“Whose idea was the flap
per costume?” Darius needed to change the subject. He was beyond tired of his parents’ constant bickering.
Doreen gestured toward Audra. “Our resident songwriter.”
Audra kept hold of Jackson’s hand. “I thought it would be fun to dress up as a female singing group.”
“What made you decide to come to the Halloween event this year?” Darius directed his question to Ethel. “You’ve never come before.”
Ethel jerked her chin toward Simon. “He never wanted to come before, so we stayed home. Doing nothing. As usual.”
Simon met Darius’s eyes before confronting Ethel. “Me? You’re the one who never wanted to come.”
Ethel’s glare was fierce. “What bull—”
“You can both do whatever you want, whenever you want. Why not stop arguing and enjoy that?” Darius’ stomach muscles twisted into familiar knots. He didn’t want his parents to argue, especially not in front of Peyton. She was new to Trinity Falls. Couldn’t they give her more time before exposing her to their craziness?
Ethel looked toward her coconspirators. “I’m real grateful to Doreen and Audra for letting me be a part of their group.”
Audra squeezed Ethel’s shoulder. “It’s our pleasure.”
Ethel glowed from Audra’s kind words. Why hadn’t his approval meant as much?
Simon’s scowl darkened. “You look ridiculous.”
Ethel struck a pose, cocking her right hip and pressing her palms into the small of her back. “Jealous?”
Peyton’s chuckle surprised Darius. She approached his mother, offering her hand. “Ms. Knight, I’m Peyton Harris, the new history professor with the university. It’s nice to meet you.”