The 37 Days Of Gusmas
Title: Mother's Talk Author: vl_redreign Prompt: Ghosts of Christmas Past
Notes: Four this time.
Brian had no idea how he ended up on Debbie’s doorstep.
Well he did, but still, it wasn’t where he’d intended to go.
He arrived at Kinnetik early, hoping to clear up the last of the boards waiting for approval. After that, he planned to leave for the day.
That was until he saw the card on his desk.
There was no return address, so he opened it. It was a Christmas card. From Joan.
He saw her signature, glanced at the writing to make sure she wasn’t dying, then tossed it into the trash.
He sighed, and knocked softly.
II
“So, what brings you here so early? Playing hooky?” Debbie set a cup of coffee in front of him.
“Too early for the baths.”
“Uh huh. Honey, what’s wrong? You feeling okay?”
“I’m fine, Ma.” He sipped his coffee. Thank god she didn’t make it the way she did at the diner. He might have a stomach lining afterwards. “I got a card from Joanie.”
“Oh.” She sat down, and grabbed his hand. “You know, if she were anyone else, I’d say she was reaching out to you. But I think it’s guilt. And habit.”
“Yeah. She should break that.”
III
“I was at the Big Q last week. There was this couple there, arguing about what to get someone for a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yeah, well we’re not all rolling in it like you. The woman yells ‘fuck you’ at the guy and storms off. And I thought about Vic. That was the last thing I said to him, and I can’t ever take that back.”
“You want me to make up with her?”
“No. But I think you should tell her once and for all if you want her in your life or not. Then be done with it.”
IV
Brian pulled a joint out of his pocket and fired up.
“Are you out of your mind?” Debbie screeched. “I live with a cop!”
“You gonna let him arrest me?” he asked, sucking the smoke in and holding it.
“I ought to! Gimme that,” she said, snatching the joint and taking a hit.
Five minutes later, she was making breakfast.
“Michael and Justin are the luckiest people I know,” Brian said, snagging a piece of bacon. “They totally made out in the mother sweepstakes.”
“Don’t tell them that. They’ll just fuck up and piss us off.”