When I said nothing, Lenny glanced at Shadow setting the speed on a treadmill. “You get lucky last night, pal?”
Shadow didn’t even look at Lenny. The kid was maybe twenty five and had a boyish face. He should have been scared of a guy like Lenny except Shadow was a frigging giant. Six five at the very least, he hovered over everyone including me. I knew he wasn’t cold like Lenny. He wouldn’t burn little kids or nuns. He was a puppy compared to most guys, but Lenny didn’t know this fact. When Shadow ignored him, he decided to cut the chit chat.
Uninterested in talking to either of them, I left to take a shower and wait to hear from Harlow. I knew she’d say yes. She needed something in her life. Fighting at the Thunderdome and martial arts classes weren’t about being strong. They filled the emptiness she couldn’t shake. I knew all about suffering with a void nothing could satisfy.
After a shower, I craved a distraction while waiting for Harlow’s call.
Mom answered the phone immediately as if her entire day was about the next call. The woman loved to socialize.
“My sweet boy,” she said and I smiled despite my bad mood.
“Everything okay at home?”
“Since you called two days ago?” she teased. “Yes, we’ve managed not to fall in a well, child.”
Exhaling hard, I knew she knew I wanted to talk or I wouldn’t call at this time of day. I had a routine with my calls. I was a man of rules. They kept me alive. I was breaking them and she was waiting for the why.
“I don’t want you getting all excited or making a fuss,” I said. “Do you promise to stay calm?”
“On my honor. Now spill.”
Taking a deep breath, I said the words even if they made me feel small. “I met someone.”
The silence on the other end of the line surprised me. My mother likely hurt herself from restraining her excitement.
“That’s nice,” Mom finally said.
I couldn’t help laughing. “It’s killing you to be so calm.”
“Oh, I’m fine. Tell me about the girl.”
“There isn't much to tell.”
“You called, didn’t you?”
Hearing the smile in her voice, I smiled a bit too. “Her name is Harlow,” I said then added quickly, “She’s young.”
“Of course. No mature woman would fall for a man as strange as you.”
Despite my mood, I laughed. “Very true.”
“She’s falling for you, isn’t she, Rafe?”
“Yes, but she has a past.”
“We all do.”
“A messed up past.”
“She’s perfect for you. When do I meet her?”
Balking, I immediately regretted calling. “I just met her yesterday.”
“And you already know she’s the one. My boy is falling in love.”
“I just met her yesterday,” I said again, emphasizing each word.
Mom laughed. “Oh, then I don’t want to meet her. Best you two get acquainted before I get involved.”
After a moment of silence, I frowned. “You’re already thinking grandchildren.”
“I hope for both a boy and a girl, but will take whatever God offers.”
“She’s nineteen, messed up, and I just met her. Don’t think about grandchildren. It’ll only set you up for disappointment.”
“Close your eyes,” Mom said softly.
Like when I was a boy, I obeyed. “They’re closed.”
“Imagine Harlow’s face.”
Doing as I was told, I remembered the way her big eyes watched me while I massaged her leg. A flush of need came over me instantly.
“She makes you feel different, yes?” Mom asked.
Exhaling softly, I opened my eyes. “Yes, but…”
“No, buts. No more being a boy. The time has come to remove your head from your bum and make a real life.”
“A boy,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“As long as you play the monster when I know you’re anything but, you will be a boy. A man faces his demons. Now make this girl see what I know is inside you, so I can finally have my son back,” Mom said then added quietly, “And a few grandbabies wouldn't hurt either.”
“I promise nothing. Harlow has enough problems without me expecting anything from her.”
Mom remained quiet for nearly a minute then sighed. “You should smile a lot. You have a wonderful smile, baby. That’ll charm her and everything else is simply the little details.”
Grinning, I thanked Mom for her advice. When she learned I was only in town for a week, my sweet as sugar mother ordered me to get my crap together and make that week count. After all, my parents weren’t planning to live forever.
Chapter Eleven ~ Harlow
Vaughn Majors saved me years ago and I’d never be able to repay him for what he gave up to give me a chance to live. He left behind his home, friends, and mother. For years, he avoided me because I reminded him of what he lost. I didn’t blame him. Sometimes, I wanted to avoid him too. Forgetting seemed the easiest choice, but the past was never truly gone.