Speed King (Men of Action 1)

Sylvia’s absence means I work both the floor and the bar. For the next two hours, I run like a maniac, trying to manage the normal bar rush and keep up with the table. When things die down and I get back to the men, I find my mom sitting in the seat formally occupied by Achilles.

“Mom! What are you doing here?”

She shoots me a saucy grin and lifts her highball glass. “Having a cocktail with the guys. Your dad and I popped in to say hi.”

“Popped in? You don’t like sports bars.”

“I do tonight. Look at my company. Can you blame me?” She gestures to the men, which now include my dad and a few of his friends from the force. Hal Hanks has joined the group. When Achilles told me about the conversation Sunday night, I hoped Hal would be his field training officer for all of his shifts. But seeing Hal drink a beer tells me he’s not working tonight.

Looking through the crowd, Achilles seems to be the only one missing. I check my watch and know he has at least an hour before he heads to the station.

“He’s talking to Tom, sweetie. Stop worrying.” Mom pats my hand.

“I wasn’t worried, but things got busy, and there hasn’t been a lot of time to talk to him.”

“Speaking of talking, seems things have changed since our last conversation.”

It’s then I remember that I’m mildly pissed at my parents for keeping so much from me for all these years. “Achilles told me everything, Mom, including the fact that Dad practically marched him into the recruiter’s office to get him away from me.” I snatch my hand back and cross my arms to glare at her.

The happiness on her face fades and she leans in closer. “He called us today and explained that he finally told you the truth.”

“It’s not cool to ambush me at work. I have a few things to say to you both.”

“I fully prepared your father for the tongue-lashing. When we have the time and the privacy to sit down and talk, you will hopefully see where your dad was coming from and the guilt he’s felt.”

“What about you? Do you feel any guilt?”

“Guilt, anger, helplessness… and many more emotions. You do not know the pain a mother feels watching her daughter travel through the stages of heartbreak. But if Achilles told you everything, you know that what your father did had very little to do with you and everything to do with helping a struggling young man find his way in the world. Pete and Sandy Kingston were well on the path to destroying their son’s life. It pained me to see you hurting, but I agreed with your father that Achilles needed to find his way and discover who he is.”

“He could have found his way with me by his side!” I argue.

“You were by his side, as his friend. Which is exactly what he needed. Things are different now, and we couldn’t be prouder of him. Knowing you are finally together makes me a happy woman.”

Her words sink in, and I decide to let this go for a time when I’m not standing behind a bar working. “You need a refill?” I point to her drink, and her smile returns as she slides the glass toward me.

“One more thing.”

“Maybe your one more thing should wait until tomorrow.” I pour the vodka and soda, slip a lime on the rim, and hand it to her.

“Weirdly enough, when I hung up with Ace today, I received another call. This one from Sandy.”

My ears perk up at the mention of Achilles’ mom. To my knowledge, she’s called my parents occasionally throughout the years, and I’ve run into her in random places, but I’ve never attempted to keep in touch. According to Achilles, their contact is also limited.

“She misses her son fiercely.”

“She should have thought of that when she was sending him on errands to pull Pete out of seedy bars and get beat up.” I can’t help the hatred that spews out. Knowing what she did cut me deep, and knowing she was involved with him leaving hurts even more.

“Pete’s been sober since Ace left for boot camp, and Sandy is a new woman. She left teaching and is now in administration with the school system. She works closely with children in troubled homes.”

“That’s fucking irony at its finest,” I snarl.

Mom doesn’t blink at my foul language and continues on. “You love him and you’re protective, I understand that. But she is his mother and I’m sympathetic.”

“Are you asking me to orchestrate a reunion?”

“No, I’m telling you this because you know the truth now. Obviously, you forged past and forgave Ace. You’ll eventually forgive your dad and me for keeping things from you. Since the forgiveness is flowing, maybe you could nudge him to call his—”