Free Ties That Bind by Kathryn Shay

Tyler’s already raw nerves. Apparently taken when they were still together: They were dancing; he could identify Westwood’s Civic Center in the background. Bishop wore a tux and looked young. Kaitlyn sported a form-fitting black beaded dress that made Tyler’s mouth water. The two of them were staring at each other like they were alone, in love, and couldn’t care less about what was going on around them.
    Fuck!!!! He wasn’t going to do this! To get her out of his head, he picked up the phone. After three rings, a sultry, cultured voice answered, “Hello, darling.”
    “Hi, Mom. Caller ID?”
    “For my only son, of course. How are you, Tyler?”
    He thought about lying. But he never could dissemble with this woman, not when he hid frogs in his pocket, when he skipped school in junior high or even when she asked, while he was in high school, if he was sexually active. “I am not good, Mom.”
    “Tell me.” He pictured Susan Sloan at the breakfast nook of the Connecticut home, sipping her herbal tea. She’d be dressed in exotic nightclothes, and her beauty would shine through naturally, without any makeup.
    “It’s Kaitlyn. Promise you won’t criticize her, and I’ll tell you.”
    An exasperated sigh. “I promise, even though Kaitlyn Renado isn’t my favorite person.”
    He explained the predicament with Anna Bingham.
    “Is she guilty?”
    “No. Kaitlyn would never do anything unethical.”
    “Then I’m sorry for her.” His mother waited. “Is this affecting the relationship between you two?”
    “Yeah. She’s spending time with her ex-husband, trying to uncover the truth.”
    “And that hurts you.”
    “I guess.”
    “She’s hurt you a great deal with her inability to commit to your relationship.”
    “I know. I’m just so frustrated.”
    “You should talk this out with her.”
    “I have. She gets angry at my insecurity about Bishop.”
    “I’m biting my tongue, dear, so I don’t criticize.”
    He chuckled. “I love you, you know that.”
    “I do. And I love you more.” The familiar retort from his childhood lightened his mood.
    “Let’s change the subject. Fill me in on how Dad is and about you and that art shop of yours.” His mother owned a gallery in Manhattan that featured new artists.
    And so his mother was off on her two favorite topics. When Tyler hung up, he felt better. He stood, stared at the phone and decided he wasn’t going to mope around waiting for Kaitlyn to call. He’d do something fun on his day off. He was passing the foyer on the way to his bedroom when the front door opened. There she stood with the keys to his place in one hand, carrying a white paper bag in the other.
    For a minute he just watched her, the cool morning air swirling around his ankles. Then he said, “Hi, stranger.”
    Giving him a small smile, she eased inside and shut the door. She wore deep red knit pants with a matching T-shirt and light zippered jacket. Sneakers graced her feet. “Hi, handsome.” She crossed to the living room table and set down what smelled like coffee and pastry. Turning, she stepped close to him.
    He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. “I missed you.”
    “I know.” Her arms slid around his neck. “I’m sorry about the last few days.”
    Don’t say it. Don’t whine. “You could have come here last night.”
    “I was whipped. Sofie was awful and it was an emotional day.”
    “Emotional just with her?”
    “No, of course not. With this Bingham thing hanging over my head, I have to fight not to give in to panic.”
    “That’s not what I meant.”
    Tossing her head back, she stared up at him. Her deep brown eyes flashed with…resentment? “What did you mean?”
    “Is it emotional being with Bishop so much?”
    “Oh, Tyler, don’t start that again. I know you don’t like me seeing him, but I have no choice.”
    For some reason, her irritated tone and dismissal of his feelings annoyed him. “You know very well how I feel about this.