Free Life Interrupted by Kristen Kehoe

much as anyone could over my mistake and now it was time to move on, to move forward and embrace the life that was going to be there.  So, when she comes out from putting Gracie down and pours herself a cup of tea, I stand at the counter and tell her about seeing Gabriella and her reaction to seeing Gracie.
                  “I don’t know why it bothered me so much, the way she looked at Gracie.  I mean, she’s sixteen, it’s not like she’s going to kidnap her.”
                  “It’s your reaction to the perceived threat.  You’re her mother-Gabriella is Marcus’s sister and Marcus not only rejected you, he tried to discredit you and threaten you.  He’s a threat, therefore, anyone associated with him can be seen as a threat.  It’s natural.”
                  I nod, understanding.  “I guess we’ll see.”
                  “In the meantime, your father is coming down for lunch on Sunday.”
    “I won’t be here.  We’re in S outhern California at the SoCal qualifier.  I get back around ten.  Stacy and Nick are taking Gracie on Saturday night. Are you okay with her Friday?”
    She nods.  “Well, you’ll miss his big announcement then, so I guess I should tell you.   He’s bringing his fiancée.”
                  My eyes pop wide and I stare at my mother.  She appears amused by this information, as she is by all other things pertaining to my father.  Bitter is not really her style.  Sarcastic is.  “His fiancée?”
                  “Yep, so be prepared.  Your sister is going to have a hard time.”
                  This stumps me.  “Why will Stacy care?”
                  “Because his fiancée is three years younger than she is.  And pregnant.”
                  Did I say my family wasn’t broken? What about twisted?

Eight
                  Dean: So, I’m thinking we should try another date.  Minus Douglass and Katie.
                  Me: Try? Was there something wrong with the first one?
                  Dean: Nope, that’s why I’m suggesting another without the lovebirds.
                  Me: ah, so you use your cousin to scare girls off? I bet that’s got a high success rate.
                  Me: wow, I’m mean.
                  Dean: admission is the first step, yadda yadda
                  Dean: so, about that date.
                  Me: I’m in SoCal at a tourney all this weekend.  Practice every night.
                  Dean: What about lunch one day? Got a free period?
    ~
                  Dean gets sandwiches on Thursday and swoops me up on my lunch hour before driving to a nearby park.  Because it’s raining we sit inside his car and eat, taking turns telling our stories, explaining about our families, our backgrounds, all of those things you do when you’re getting to know someone.
                  “So, you’re a big volleyball player, huh?”
                  Right away he recognizes his adjective and its suggestion and sputters out an apology.  “Jesus, I didn’t mean it that way.”
                  I smile through my laughter.  “It’s like we’re hell bent on insulting one another.  And don’t worry, I know what you meant.”
                  “Thank god.  I suddenly understand how Doug feels every day of his life.”
                  This brings another fit of laughter and it makes me comfortable.  There isn’t a sizzle with Dean, nothing that reaches out and grabs me by the throat and makes me weak just looking at him, but there’s a level of familiarity that makes me feel like I’ve known him for years instead of less than a week. 
                  “Back to my statement.  You’re into volleyball?”
                  I shrug and wrap up the