Free Back to Life by Kristin Billerbeck Page B

would have loved to see you both. I know he would have.” Lindsay sees the newspaper on the console table and places it on top of the phone book. “I should look for a job, too. Have a nice time and make yourself at home.”
    “About the house—”
    Ronnie, shut up, son!
    Lindsay’s expression softens. “Ron left his money where he wanted it left. I have no right to question a thing. I mean, no plans. I have no plans to question anything.”
    “You weren’t after his money, then?” He steps closer to her, and my own heart pounds at their proximity. “You really loved him?”
    She swallows visibly. “Ron lived a good life, Ronnie. It’s been a very trying day. If you’ll excuse me.” She makes like a chased cat, scurrying up the stairs.
    “I guess I shouldn’t have said that,” Ron mutters under his breath. I swallow my guilt. He’s a man now, and still, the hole where his father should have been leaves its mark. He wants to know more about the myth I created. That Ron and I created. How can I say I love him and lie to him every day of his life?
    “No, sweetheart. She did have a hard day, and I think Lindsay has secrets of her own. But look at the pictures around here. She’s right—Ron had a good life.”
    He watches the stairs, as though she’s still there, an apparition in his head. “She’s undeniably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t find my tongue when she’s in the room.” He slaps his forehead. “She must think I’m a complete idiot.”
    “I never noticed. I’m sure she didn’t.” My stomach roils at his obvious lack of understanding. “What about Xena, Warrior Princess?”
    “You mean Kipling, Mom.” He shakes his head. “ This. This is how a man should feel about a woman. This is what was missing.” He places a palm to his chest.
    “No, this is the feeling that got your father into trouble. This is why Samson lost his strength!”
    He studies me carefully. “You know a Bible story?”
    “I know a lot of things. One does not get to be my age without learning a few tricks of the trade. A thinking man looks at all aspects of who he wants to spend his life with; he doesn’t let his hormones do the talking. Ron, she was married to your father. You don’t find that, I don’t know…unsavory?”
    “There’s something about her,” he says staring at the circular staircase. “I can’t explain it.”
    “There certainly is, and it got your father into trouble, thinking only with his…with his heart. Don’t repeat his mistakes.” And definitely don’t repeat mine. If I knew then what I know now, I definitely would have researched DNA before considering my child’s father.
    He tears his gaze from her shadow. “I didn’t mean that, Mother. Not everything is hormonally related. Her secrets intrigue me, that’s all. If she married for money, why isn’t she taking as much of it as she can?”
    “A good question, but one we’ll never have the answer to. It’s Lindsay’s business, and it doesn’t concern us.”
    “I’d better get home.”
    “That’s it? I thought you came to see me!”
    “I was downtown for a computer class. I thought I’d stop by before I went home.”
    With flowers. For Lindsay. “Before you go, Ronnie, the lawyer’s asking if there’s any way you’ll keep the house.”
    Ron laughs. “With what? My good looks?”
    I look at my son’s tall, handsome appearance. “If anyone could…”
    “Mom—”
    He turns and opens the door, and a there’s a man on the small porch. His presence catches us both by surprise. He’s tall, not quite as tall as Ron, but he’s dark and handsome in that trademarked, rugged way. I can tell he’s for real, because his teeth aren’t the shade of Chiclet white of all actors. He looks us both over. “Is this Lindsay’s house?”
    “This is Lindsay’s house,” I croak, my voice still hammered by Ronnie’s desire to know about his father’s wife.
    “Is she here?”
    “Who’s asking?”