The Scheme

On the third ring, I picked up the phone, my face already lighting up when I saw my mama’s face on my screen. “Mama!” I yelled. “Mama, Mama, Mama.” I paused and uttered again, “Mama, Mama, Mama.”

I rubbed my eyes with the heel of my palm, erasing any remnants of left over makeup. Now wide-awake, I smiled as her laughter echoed over the phone. I repeated her name over and over again, like I was six years old.

“Stop it, Kendy,” she said, but her laughter continued, warming me like a down jacket in below zero winter cold.

“I miss you,” I finally let out as I took in the picture of us together on my nightstand. I was in my cap and gown, and had just graduated nursing school. What I’d give to wrap my arms around my mama and pinch her side pudge, because I knew she hated that.

“I miss you, too.” The sadness in her tone matched mine, causing a lump to form in my throat.

I was supposed to move her out of Bowlesville. I had worked hard during college to become a nurse, and I had promised her I’d get us out of that god-awful town. Then, we could finally start our lives somewhere new, and she’d forget about my father and the heartache he’d caused.

Who knew she’d fall in love with Hank, her boss, the guy who owned the diner she worked in?

He had moved to Bowlesville from Seattle. His wife had died two years earlier, so he’d taken his retirement money and bought Elk Diner, a local hangout my mother had been working at for years. He’d courted her for months and, after a bit, she’d finally let up and given him a chance.

I knew when I took my job in Manhattan that she wouldn’t be coming. She and Hank had been slowly getting serious, and I was ecstatic for her. But I still couldn’t hide the disappointment that someone else was creeping into our space. Still, I needed her happy.

“Tell me, how’s work?” Mama’s sweet tone oozed into the receiver. “I only have fifteen minutes to catch up before I have to get back to work.”

“Mama, don’t play,” I teased. “You’re boom-booming the boss. Don’t try to pretend you work there.”

“Kendy!” she exclaimed. I could picture her cheeks flushed pink, almost as red as the apron she always wore at the diner.

“Just kidding, Mama.” Even though it was fu

It was weird thinking she was doing it when she hadn’t done it since Dad had left. At least, not that I knew of. Hank probably had to dust off the cobwebs up in there.

I shook my head at the visual. “Work is fine. My apartment is fine. I met a doctor who’s more than fine, fine, fine,” I cooed as a small smile crept up my face.

The only time I mentioned a man’s name to my mama was when it was serious. And to me, getting Dr. Hot Pants’ attention was serious.

“Kendall Ly

I bit the inside of my cheek and twirled a blonde lock around my finger. “Mama, there are no rules that say I ca

“You and your boy toys,” she chided with a motherly sigh. “Do you know there are still young men calling here asking about you?”

My eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “Who?” Everyone I had dated usually called my cell phone. “Who?” I asked again. I was begi

“Kyle and Brad Barsell. Did you date those brothers?”

“Nope. Only Brad. Though Kyle was truly trying to get what Bradley was getting.”

“Kendy!” she exclaimed again.

I chuckled. I enjoyed making my mama squirm.

“Mama, tell those boys I’m never coming back to Bowlesville. You’ll crush their hearts,” I smiled big, knowing my mama was rolling her eyes at the drama in my voice, “but it’s better than them hoping and dreaming for something that’ll never be.”

“Go back to work, Kendy,” she chided with a light laugh, “or whatever you’re doing tonight.”

“Okay, Mama.” I laughed along with her, missing her so much it was almost hard to breathe. “I love you like a love song.”

“I know, dear,” she said warmly. “You, too.”

“Kisses and hugs to Hankie Pankie.” I smiled, pressing end on the phone. Man, how I missed my mama bear.

I released a heavy sigh, feeling lonely all of a sudden as I glanced at the picture on my nightstand again. I really needed a dose of my mama soon. I’d have to check my calendar at work. I needed to see her, even if it was just for the weekend.

There was nothing left for me in Bowlesville except my mama. I wished I could bring her to New York with me. I could’ve shipped her in a box and written on the packaging ‘handle with care’.

But I knew she’d never leave.

Deciding I couldn’t wallow all afternoon, I got up and reached for my phone again, this time sexting my new best friend—Brian.

Me: Hola! Did your dick fall off from last night? Want to do a late lunch?

I didn’t have to wait even a second before his answer pinged right back.

Brian: Sure. Where at? What time?

Me: Clyde Diner at 2?

Brian: See you there.

Me: Sweet.

Brian: And Kendy? My dick is still on.

Me: Oh boy!

I got all giddy at the thought of seeing him again, and I replaced his name in my phone with ‘Booty Call’. But when I pressed save, a sinking sensation spread in the pit of my belly. I blinked at the phone as a heaviness knotted my insides. What was wrong with me?

FTF, I had to remind myself. That was all I could do. But in the back of my mind, I wondered if it was even possible.

I rubbed at my brow, thinking of every relationship I’d been in post-Cole. Every one of them had failed and ended quickly, not lasting more than a month. And I wondered if Cole had ruined me for eternity.

No. You can’t think like that.

Taking a breath, I shook off the hopelessness and thought about the psychic and her predictions about Dr. Klein.

Right. Him. Keep your sights set on him. He’s the one.

But then I thought of a certain pair of blue eyes, and my stomach churned. I could only hope we could still keep our friendship intact. Either way, I needed to set expectations with Brian today.

Pushing off my couch, I went to get ready for lunch. Once we had ‘the talk’, everything would be okay. I was sure of it.

TEN

BRIAN

Kendy strolled in, her sunglasses on top of her head and looking cute as hell in a short summery dress. When her smile widened, I let out a breath of relief. I didn’t want it to be weird between us. Sometimes things could be awkward after sex.

When she tiptoed and pulled at my neck in a full-on bear hug, I knew it wouldn’t be. “Hiya,” she cooed, sitting down in front of me. “Did you order yet?” She placed her purse on the table by our water glasses, adjusting her sunglasses on top of her head.

“No, I was waiting for you.” I took note of the way the pink spread across her face from the heat outside.

She reached for the tall glass of ice water and gulped it down in an unladylike fashion, as though she hadn’t drank in weeks. “What you should’ve done was order for the both of us or texted me the menu.” She placed the glass back on the table and started to fan herself with her hands. “Is it me, or is it hot in here?”

She bunched her hair on the top of her head, and my eyes flew to her slender neck, remembering the tender spot I’d nipped, right above her collarbone.

“Seriously, I swear I feel like I have menopause with all these hot flashes.” With her free hand, she fa

“You’re twenty-four. You’ve got a long way before menopause,” I chuckled, picking up my glass of water to take a drink.

“Maybe I’m pregnant then.”