If You Must Know (Potomac Point #1)(46)

To avoid winding through the house and down the narrow basement stairs, we’d brought my boxes and furniture through the basement slider in the back. For the time being, most of my nonessentials would remain stored in the unfinished part of the basement so they’d be easy to move again when I found a new apartment.

“No problem, E.” Tony mopped his brow with his forearm, then patted Lexi’s butt. “Meet you in the truck?”

“Be there in a sec,” she said. Once he’d gone, my best friend spun around. “You know, this finished part of the basement could be a great little yoga studio.”

Intrigued, I surveyed the level rectangular room. My dad and I had upgraded the flooring about seven years ago with laminate, so it would be durable, easy to clean, and soft beneath the feet. Natural light from the sliders flooded the space, and if I hung some crystals near the doors, they’d cast little rainbows everywhere. “You’re right, Lex.”

“If you move some of those pieces against the walls, you’ll clear enough floor space for five or six students.” She rested her hands on her hips, nose wrinkled. “Man, I’d kill for a free place to do private lessons.”

“Don’t envy me. I’d have to convince my mom to let me invite ‘strangers’ to the house, which isn’t a slam dunk.” If Amanda asked, it would be, but our mom trusted her judgment more than mine. Come to think of it, considering the Lyle situation, Mom probably wouldn’t trust Amanda now, either. Being downgraded had to sting.

On the other hand, Dad would’ve been an easy sell. He’d loved when I tried new things.

No matter where my gaze fell, I saw him. Every picture. Every old fishing rod. The pea-green lounge chair he’d fought hard to keep that my mother now couldn’t part with. The only thing missing—aside from him—was the scent of cigarette smoke. I didn’t miss that. Anytime I smelled it, my heart hurt.

“Hm. Well, good luck. I’d better catch up with Tony. See you tomorrow!” Lexi waved and then closed the slider behind her on her way out. It sealed with a thunk, perfect for my somewhat trapped circumstance. Seeing Lex run off with Tony also reminded me of my very single status. What if I got horny? Mom wouldn’t tolerate me bringing men here for sex. Could I take care of myself in the room next to my mother’s without her knowing? The shower? At least I wouldn’t be sharing the bathroom with my siblings this time around.

Before I got too depressed about the drawbacks, I told myself to embrace the positive. Cheap living. Doing the “right” thing by watching out for Mom. Making Dad proud. And maybe celibacy would be the key to my success.

Enough of that. I desperately needed a snack, which meant no more hiding out down here. Time to face my new roomie.

My backpack remained near the stairs. I grabbed it and took the steps two at a time to reach the kitchen quickly. Mo gave me one of his drive-by ankle licks, as if testing to make sure I was still me.

“Oh good. You finished quickly.” Mom crossed to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. “Are you thirsty?”

“No thanks.” I plopped onto a chair, hoping to look more relaxed than I felt, and grabbed an apple. I supposed I would have to spend time with her to monitor her wellness. “What should we do on this lovely Friday?”

She stared at the backpack I’d set on the kitchen table. “You could start by removing your backpack. That thing belongs in a closet, not as the centerpiece on my table.”

And so it began.

I unzipped it. “I brought a little thank-you gift for letting me crash here for a bit.” I handed her a tissue-wrapped package of three gardenia-scented soap bars and a bath oil. A bit sweet-smelling for me, but she should like it. I’d read that older people’s sense of smell diminishes over time.

“Oh.” She set down her lemonade, temporarily disarmed. “That’s thoughtful. Thank you.”

She held the gift awkwardly, like she didn’t quite trust it not to explode in her hands.

“You’re welcome.” While I chomped on my fruit, I watched her fiddle nervously with the package while neither of us said more. Against my better judgment, I asked, “Actually, want to help me make a batch of sugar scrubs now? It’s fun to experiment with different aromas. And if you like it, I can teach you to make soaps.”

“Not now.”

“Why not?” I wiped the apple’s juice from my chin.

“Because that sounds messy and I have company coming. Why don’t you go shower and then run out and do whatever it is you normally do when you’re not working.” She turned, setting the soaps on the counter and placing the pitcher of lemonade and glasses on a tray. Clearly she didn’t want me to meet her mysterious company. So, naturally, I had to dig into that.

“Who’s coming? Aunt Dodo?”

Her hands went up like a traffic cop. “No one you know.”

“You’re being kinda squirrelly.” Was a man coming to visit? I didn’t know how I felt about that.

“Fine.” She tipped up her chin. “I’ve been on a wait list with a renowned medium, and an appointment opened up. I confirmed it before you set your move-in date and didn’t want to reschedule. Given everything happening with your sister, I really need to speak with William.”

My jaw came unhinged. Amanda hadn’t exaggerated her concerns. Before I could question my mother, she hustled me out of the chair. “Now go on and shower. Please, Erin. Don’t embarrass me.”