Never Doubt Me: Judge Me Not #2(21)

“Shit, that conversation must’ve been crazy,” Will remarks, after emitting a low whistle. “How’d that go?”

“Not good,” Cassie admits. “But all that matters now is that the pervert is definitely gone. In fact, I talked with Mom when I first woke up. She said my uncle went by the house late last night and Paul had already left. His shit was gone, every last bit of it.”

“Fuck, that’s good news, Cass.” Will says, sounding relieved.

Chase and I choose that moment to make our presence known. When we step into the kitchen, Cassie and Will mumble simultaneous “good-morning” greetings, but otherwise fall silent.

Both kids are seated at the table, dressed and ready for the day. Cassie has on jean shorts and a bright-yellow tank top, while Will is wearing torn jeans and an old faded graphic T-shirt. As is often the case, Chase’s brother is dressed the same as Chase is today, meaning both are ready to get back to work on the mural.

Chase grabs the orange juice out of the refrigerator. He pours a glass and hands it to me. I sit down at the table with Will and Cassie, while Chase hops up on the counter, juice carton and glass in hand.

“So, Will,” Chase begins, filling his glass as he speaks, “now that everything’s settled with Cassie’s stepdad, what do you think about sticking around Harmony Creek for another week?”

Will must like the idea, his expression brightens immediately. He smiles at Chase, nods once, and then turns to Cassie and says, “Would you mind?”

She shakes her head. “No, not at all, I’m good with that. With everything going on, my mom decided to take off work next week. She already has a bunch of mother-daughter stuff planned. No doubt, I’ll be running around with her once we’re back in Vegas.” She pauses for a beat, and then adds softly, “I think my mom feels guilty she didn’t pick up on what was going on with Paul.”

Cassie’s mention of mother and daughter stuff reminds me that there’s a message on my voicemail from my own mother, sent yesterday. I’ve yet to return her call. I now make a mental note to call her back sometime today. She sounded kind of urgent in her voicemail, but I don’t know if that was nervousness showing in her voice, or something else entirely. It’s hard to discern these things with stuff still weird between us. Sadly, though, I expect this is the way it will remain for some time. At least, until we have a break-though.

While I ruminate over my mother, everyone else is busy discussing the logistics of Will staying in town until next Friday. He still has the plane ticket he never used, so there’s talk about when to call the airline to make the date-change adjustment.

“Clear it with Mom first,” Chase says to Will. “Then we’ll call the airline this afternoon.”

“Yes, sir, big bro,” Will retorts with a mock-salute. “Consider it done.”

Some laughter and playful insulting ensues, but when Will falls into a murmured discussion with Cassie, I feel Chase’s focus shift to me.

I am staring into my juice glass, only somewhat listening. Then again, I’m not really paying much attention at all. I’m too preoccupied, thinking about my mother. I guess, even after my talk with Father Maridale, I’m still all over the place when it comes to her.

I glance up at Chase, still on the counter, and his blues fill with concern.

“What’s wrong?” he mouths.

I shake my head once to let him know now is not the time; I’ll tell him about my mixed-up feelings later. But, first, I should speak with my mom so I know what she wants.

When I do have a chance to talk with her, later in the morning, while at work, she is nothing but kind to me. I speak to her on my cell outside the rectory office, and the sincerity in her voice alleviates my earlier concerns. I have to admit that I do feel better about my mom every time I speak with her.

So, there’s no problem there, not like I initially feared. But the update she shares with me leaves me feeling more than a little queasy.

I step back into the rectory office, where Cassie is seated in the chair next to my desk, amusing herself on her phone.

Chase and his brother are putting the finishing touches on the mural, so Cassie has been hanging with me all morning.

“Is everything okay?” she asks when she looks up and sees my face drained of color.

I wave her off. “Yeah, yeah, everything is fine.”

It’s not, but it’s Chase I long to speak with, not Cassie.

I sit back down at the desk, slowly. Cassie smiles at me, but there’s concern in her eyes.

I decide to change the focus to lunch, but just as I’m about to ask Cassie what she feels like eating today, Will steps through the office doors.

He makes a bee-line to Cassie, leans down and kisses her cheek. “Guess what?” he says “Chase gave us money for lunch. Where do you want to go?”

Cassie twists in her seat to face me and asks, “Is it okay if I leave?”

“Of course,” I reply.

“Kay, you can come with us, if you want,” Will says, smiling. “Chase gave me more than enough cash for three lunches.”

Will seems so much more relaxed now that Cassie is no longer in danger of being harassed, or possibly molested. Plus, spending the past few days with Chase has clearly been good for him.

His smile, like Chase’s, is very infectious, so I can’t help but grin back.