The Boy on the Bridge
“How is that supposed to help either one of us this morning?” I demand, shoulders slumping.
Today is my first official day of senior year. After a long, wonderful summer, I have to go back to Hell.
I’ve been hyping myself up all week, trying to convince myself it won’t be so bad. I still don’t have a car of my own, but the walk to school isn’t far—and hey, it’s good exercise. Being back in school means I’ll get to see Sara every day—that’s a definite pro. I’m signed up for some classes I’m really eager to take, too, and in nine short months, I’ll be free of Hawthorne High forever. That’s the best part.
The doorbell rings, jogging me from my thoughts. I put the useless coffee supplies down and call out, “I’ve got it,” so Mom can finish getting ready.
When I open the door, my mood brightens at the sight of who’s on the other side of it.
Mom’s sorta-boyfriend, Ray.
Then I see the drink carrier full of steaming hot coffee, and I clasp both hands over my heart.
“My hero!”
Ray smiles, nodding in acknowledgment as he makes his way inside. “Figured you ladies might need these. Your mom was supposed to go grocery shopping when she left my place last night, but I distracted her.”
“I don’t even care that you were to blame, all that matters is you swooped in and saved my morning.”
He plucks a cup out of the drink holder and hands it to me. “Here you go, kiddo.”
“Thank you. I love you,” I tell him, shutting the door behind him, then heading back toward the kitchen.
“Man, I hope your mom responds like that.” Ray follows me around the corner. “Where is she?” he asks, seeing she’s not in here.
“Almost done getting ready.” I go to the counter and pick up the bag of bread I had been preparing to make breakfast with. “Want some avocado toast?”
“Does anyone ever want avocado toast?” Ray asks, taking a seat in one of the chairs and putting Mom’s coffee down on the table.
“Mom’s on an avocado kick right now. She bought a whole bag of them at the store last time. It was madness.”
“Nah, I’m all right, thanks.”
From down the hall, Mom calls out, “Don’t be hating on my superfood purchase.”
“That’s what happens when I don’t get coffee on the first day of school,” I call back.
Mom finally emerges from the bathroom, hands up, still fixing a piece of her dark hair as she walks into the kitchen. “You heard the man, it was all his fault.”
Ray stands as soon as Mom enters the room. His whole posture relaxes when she’s around, and now is no different… even if technically, it should be.
Mom cocks a dark eyebrow and props one hand on her hip, looking at him. “What are you doing here?”
“It was Riley’s first day of school. I couldn’t let you two be coffee-less.”
“Is there some part of ex-boyfriend you’re not understanding? When my boyfriend brings me and my daughter coffee in the morning, it’s sweet. When my ex-boyfriend brings me and my daughter coffee in the morning—”
“Still sweet,” I pipe in.
Mom points at me. “Shush, you.”
“Yeah,” Ray says, nodding as if in understanding. Then he follows it up with, “I’ve been thinking it over, and I reject your proposal to break up.”
“What?” Mom blinks at him. “That’s not a thing. You can’t reject my break-up.”
He shrugs almost apologetically. “Except I did. Sorry. All I can suggest is maybe wait 30 days and try submitting it again.”
Mom tries to keep the horrified pleasure off her face, but she’s too stunned to pull it off. “You are insane. You are a crazy man.”
“I am. Crazy for you,” he teases, wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her close. “You look gorgeous today, by the way.”
Mom puts a hand on his chest, stopping him from pulling her all the way close. “That’s not going to work. You can’t charm me out of dumping you. You lied to me—”
“I didn’t lie to you. I told you the truth, you just thought I was joking. That is not my fault.”
Mom sighs impatiently at his completely reasonable argument. “That’s not the point.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she insists. “I can’t do this. I can’t. I’m sorry. I re-explained everything last night. I’m sorry if it makes me a bad person, but I just can’t. And you can’t overrule me. I am a strong, independent woman fully capable of—”
Before my mom can finish her tirade about how he’s not allowed to force her to keep being his girlfriend, Ray stops her, gently but firmly grabbing the back of her neck and covering her mouth with his. Her objection dies a swift death, the fight melting right out of her as she wraps one arm around his neck and one around his back, closing her eyes and giving herself over to the kiss he initiated.