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There were only 10 more days to the tour before a short break and then we were off to visit the world. I counted down the days until I could go home and be by myself for a while. I needed a break from Josh, from his hold over me. Two days before the tour ended Jan made another appearance. I didn’t mind seeing her, I didn’t mind talking to her. It was tough but I could do it. The only thing that bothered me was watching them kiss. After knowing his mouth, those delicious lips it was just cruelty in it’s rawest form. At night when I lay in my bunk, his body not that far away from mine, I ached for him. I could smell him, I could hear him snore lightly. And one of those nights when Jan was there I could hear them making love. I lay face down on my bed and pulled the pillow over my head and still I could hear her blissful sighs and his satisfactory moans. I shoved my fingers in my ears and cried softly.
I absolutely loved the way the kitchen opened into the family room and the family room had a fireplace! The kitchen cabinets were white but that would have to go. I wanted something with a little warmth. Nearly a year ago when I was still in Provo I had white everything. Now I needed warmth, comfort.
“Theo, there are three bedrooms in this place!” I heard my mom’s voice drift down from somewhere above.
“Yeah, I know Mom. You’re not planning on moving in are you?” I yelled back, teasing.
“Do you want me to?” I heard her say as she tottered down the stairs. I sighed and leaned on the counter. My counter. My kitchen. My house. My peace and quiet. The furniture would be delivered day after tomorrow and I would move out of my parent’s house for the second time.
I curled up on the couch in my silk pajamas, sipped a steaming cup of Chai Tea and flipped on the TV. I snuggled into the fluffy pillows and delighted in the repose that was my solitude. I did feel a little bad leaving mom again but she promised to come for lunch in two days and every couple days after that until I left on tour again. I didn’t mind. I enjoyed her company but the nights I spent alone in my own new bed were fabulous. The day Mom came for lunch I made Pasta Fagioli, garlic bread, and salad – Italian style. The doorbell rang and I mentally chastised her for ringing it instead of just walking on in. I opened the door quickly.
“Mom, you know you don’t have to ring the doorbell.” I said. She wasn’t alone.
“Sweetie, I brought Lindy. I didn’t think you’d mind. She was anxious to see your new place.” Mom stepped past me and into the house. Lindy held her arms out to me and we embraced. It was good to see her. I hadn’t really had a chance to properly thank her for what she’d done for me the month earlier.
“Of course I don’t mind! Come in Mrs. Groban.” I gave her the ten cent tour and then we all convened in the kitchen for some lunch.
“Theo, your home is beautiful.” Lindy said finishing her soup. I smiled.
“Thank you, I really haven’t had a chance to do anything to it yet but there will be time.” She nodded and looked around.
“I think you can do a lot here and I’m willing to help if you need it. And by the way, “ She touched my hand as she spoke. “You don’t have to call me Mrs. Groban, I think you’re old enough now to call me Lindy.” I blushed. I don’t think I would feel comfortable calling her by her first name.
“I would appreciate that, Lindy. If you have some ideas please just shout them out. I’m open to any suggestions.” Mom laughed.
“I think I would strip these cabinets of all this white paint for a start.” I pointed at her.
“I thought the exact same thing!” I said, excited.
“Great minds think alike. I should get Chris or Josh over here to help, I stripped my cabinets once and they were a huge help. That is if either one of them were even in the state!” I felt a lump in my throat at the mere mention of his name. I had pushed him from my mind the day the tour broke and there he was, painfully in my thoughts again like a bleeding open wound that had been mended together and had now pulled apart. It hurt like hell. “The limo took Josh and Jan straight to the airport as soon as they finished up and I haven’t heard from him ever since.” I stared down at my hands.
“Not a very considerate son now is he?” I said quietly.
“You know Theo, Josh talks about you all the time.” My head perked up at that. “He calls you Teddy.” I nodded.
“I think he does that just to irritate me.” I countered.
“No, no, I don’t think he does. He speaks very highly of you. If I didn’t know better I would say he likes you.” Her eyes sparkled as she winked at me. I felt a pang of grief. Sure, he likes me but he’s vacationing with January, giving her his love, his adoration, his body. And I was having lunch with his mom. Honestly, at that point I thought I was better off. Until she mentioned his name I was feeling a sense of relief.
“Well, I used to be his babysitter and if you think about it, I still am.” We all had a good giggle over that. “Only now my pay has a little more then doubled!”
“You mean you didn’t buy this house with that babysitting money I paid you?”
“Pffft!” I retorted. “Do you know what your boys used to do to me?” I asked. Her curiosity piqued, she raised one eyebrow. “They used to spray my shirt all the time to try to get a peek at my bra!”
“Oh my Lord!” Lindy groaned. “They were awful.”
“Have they really grown up? Do boys ever grow up?” Mom asked. Lindy shook her head.
“No, I don’t think so.” Mentally I disagreed. Josh had certainly become a man.
