Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 117177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
The word “relieved” did not do my feelings justice, and I just had to hope they’d stand by this newfound perspective. “I think that’s great, Mom. And thank you.”
“Yeah. Well, I booked this retreat in the Catskills. Jenna is coming with me. We both feel we have some soul-searching to do.”
“Mom, that sounds great.”
“Can I count on seeing you when I get back?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “We can do that.”
“Not this weekend but next?”
“I have an event in the Hamptons that weekend. Weekend after?”
“All weekend?”
I rolled my eyes at her irritated tone. “Chris’s aunt lives there, so we thought we’d stay with her since I’ll already be there for this event.”
“Ah, the astronaut. Well done, Hallie.”
“Mom,” I warned.
“What? I mean it. I’m impressed. He’s very handsome.”
“He’s also brilliant and kind and considerate.”
“Hmm. Just be careful. Does his aunt have a pool?”
“Yes, why?”
“Don’t take that polka-dot bikini you wore during our spa break last year. It wasn’t flattering. Or if you must, wear it with a sarong. And do you have beachy high-heeled sandals? Wedges maybe? Those will make you look taller and leaner in a bikini.”
There she was. “Mom.”
“What? You sound like you really, really like this one. I’m just trying to help you keep him.”
“He’s seen me naked, Mom. And he’s still here, so I think I’m good. I have to go now.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I arrive in the Catskills. Oh, that’s if they have a signal up there.”
“Um, they might not. Send a carrier pigeon. It’ll take you back to your childhood.”
“Oh, aren’t we Miss Sassy Pants now that we’re dating an astronaut?”
Hearing the amusement in her voice, I smiled. “I hope you and Jenna have a wonderful time.”
“Thank you, honey. Oh, and if you need to fix your hair color before you meet the astronaut’s aunt, my stylist will fit you in last minute. You can’t socialize with the Hamptons set with pink hair, Hallie. As cute as you looked in those pictures, your hair was really distracting.”
I gritted my teeth to hold back my growl of annoyance. It was wonderful that Mom had agreed to leave me out of her relationship drama, and kind of her to stick up for me with my dad. However, she would always be Mom, and just as I’d have to learn to let go of my father’s absences over the years and his behavior recently, I needed not to let Mom’s nitpicking get to me if we were going to have a relationship. “Okay. Enjoy yourself. Bye!”
I hung up before she could say anything else that might put a dent in my self-esteem.
THIRTY-FOUR
Hallie
As I moved around my bedroom, packing my small overnight suitcase with essentials, I caught glimpses of Chris in my shower because the bathroom door was ajar. Forcing my thoughts elsewhere, for we had no time for shower hanky-panky, I looked away and assessed my bag.
To my everlasting gratitude, Chris had been right about the photos of us online. Interest died down within a few days because a well-known actor was photographed having sex with a married film director in a rooftop pool. Chris and I were promptly forgotten.
Almost two weeks had passed since that awful Monday, and despite my mistrust of his father and Darcy, we’d never felt closer. I’d told him all about hearing from my mom and dad, and he was relieved for me. He didn’t seem to hold a grudge against them on my behalf and said he was happy to meet them whenever I was ready.
Chris wanted to meet my parents.
That shouldn’t have seemed like such a big deal, considering we were practically living with each other. However, it was. I was excited to introduce him to them. To show them that despite the relationship trauma I’d witnessed between them, I’d chosen a man who was good to me. Our relationship was so far beyond the toxic kind, I felt almost like I was cheating at life. How did I get so lucky to end up with a man like Chris while other people floundered through their whole lives going from one car crash of a relationship to another? It didn’t seem fair. But I wouldn’t ruin my happiness by constantly looking over my shoulder for something bad that would take it away.
I had a sixtieth-birthday party at the golf club near Richelle’s beach house, so Chris was going to drive me, drop me off, and then go to Richelle’s. He’d pick me up once the party was over, and we’d spend the rest of the weekend together at the beach house. I was nervous to see Richelle again now that Chris and I were a couple, but he’d assured me his aunt thought it was wonderful we were dating.
“Bikini,” I muttered to myself before rummaging through my bottom drawer. I pulled out the pink-and-white polka-dot bikini Mom mentioned last week. I’d thought I looked cute in it until my mom commented on the cellulite on the back of my thighs. We’d taken a spa weekend trip together, my treat, to shake off her depression. She’d complained about everything, including my body.