Rose (Shooting Stars 3)

"Nothing she didn't want to happen to her. I expect. She and Grover enjoyed each other's company far more than even I had anticipated. She accepted an invitation to see his family's Atlanta apartment and they left the party. I waited for them to return, but," she said with a smile. "she didn't."

"Are you saying my mother spent the night with a man she has just met?"

"Your mother is a grown woman. Rose. Don't you think you're being a bit overly dramatic about this? She's still a young woman. Let her enjoy what's left of her youth and beauty,

"What she or any woman in her state doesn't need is an anchor tied to her legs in the form of a neurotic daughter."

"I'm not a neurotic daughter!"

"Good. Then all will be well. Would you please ask Nancy Sue to bring me some black coffee and some ice water? Thank you," she said, lowering herself back under her comforter. She closed her eyes to indicate that the conversation was at an absolute end.

I stared at her, fuming, and then left, closing the door a bit too hard, for I heard her groan in dismay.

Mommy didn't return until late in the afternoon. Evan and I were out on the rear patio. I was reading and talking about Hamlet with him because it was a play my class had already done and I had to read and understand quickly. He had gone on the Internet and printed out some very helpful study guides, and he had read the play himself. His understanding of the language and the metaphors amazed me. Sometimes when he spoke or explained something I had missed, he sounded like my teacher at school. I told him so. I could see he was proud and enjoyed the compliment.

"You set, Evan. You do have a lot to offer people. You've got to stop living like a hermit, an electronic hermit with your computer as your only window to the world. You've got to interact with people, too."

"People disappoint me too often," he said. "So? You'll meet other people who won't." He stared at me for a moment and then nodded.

"Tell me about our father," he requested. "I mean, really tell me everything. I want to know the silliest, smallest details about him."

"Okay," I said. Despite it all. I loved talking about Daddy. I closed my eyes and brought up the visions of him I most cherished. I described his gestures, his smile, the cologne he wore, his funny expressions, some of the impulsive things he had done and would do. I went on and on and when I gazed at Evan. I saw a soft smile on his lips

"The way you make him sound. I can almost understand why my mother became involved with a married man. He was a snake- charmer. I guess. if I had met him. I would have been forced to like him myself, even though I wouldn't approve of him."

"I think so. Evan."

"Thanks," he said and sat back. That was when we heard Mommy's laughter and voice.

He looked at me sharply.

"Don't make her feel like a sinner," he warned, "I did that to my mother sometimes, and I've always regretted it."

"I just want to know exactly what's going on here," I said, jumping up.

I heard all the conversation coming from the living room and hurried to it, where I found Charlotte sitting across from Mommy and a tall, dark-haired man with a mustache like Clark Gable, a strong square chin, high cheekbones, and a dazzling pair of the most beautiful hazel eyes I had ever seen. He was long-legged and trim and wore a dark blue blazer and a pair of light blue slacks with blue boat shoes.

"This must be Rose," he said before I could speak.

"Yes, it is," Mommy said. "Hi, honey. I'd like you to meet Mr. Fleming."

"Please, call me Grover." he said. rising. He extended his hand. I glanced at it and at Mommy and then shook it, letting go so quickly anyone would have thought his was full of thorns. Charlotte was beaming from her chair.

"Hello," I said, forcing the word through my tight throat.

Nancy Sue entered with a tray, carrying three glasses of champagne. "All, wonderful,'" Grover declared. He handed Mammy hers and I saw by the way she looked up at him that she was lost in his eyes. It made my heart deflate like a balloon. Charlotte took hers.

"Thank you. Nancy Sue. Rose, would you like anything?" she asked sweetly enough to make my stomach churn.

"No, thank you," I said quickly.

"How was your date. honey?" Mommy asked. "Very nice," I said. "I tried to wait up for you."

"Where's Evan?" Charlotte quickly asked.

"On the patio. We were studying Hamlet together."

"Ah, to be or not to be... for me, there is no longer a question," Grover declared, his eyes on Mommy, who looked like an adoring teenager. He tapped her glass with his.