“What the hell?” Cooper said.
Anna fell back against the pillows, her hands over her face.
“Mama, wait!” Linnea called. She stuck her head in the bedroom, shook her head in ominous warning, then closed the door to hurry after her mother. She’d known Julia was going to find out about the Covid Couple sooner or later, but not this way.
She found Julia at the kitchen counter, staring down.
“Mama, it’s okay—”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she said, spinning around, her eyes aflame with accusation.
Linnea didn’t have time to answer. She saw her mother’s eyes widen; turning, she groaned to herself at the sight of Gordon walking in wearing only his boxers. He smiled sleepily, like a cherub unaware of the depths of hell gaping open in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” he said, and walked over to kiss the top of Linnea’s head. “You wouldn’t have tea?”
Cooper rushed into the room dressed in a spanking-new pair of shorts with the tag still hanging from them and a navy T-shirt. He stopped short when he scoped out the coup de grâce of Gordon’s appearance. He put his hand over his face and leaned against the doorframe.
Julia drew herself up in an effort to assume some dignity. “I really must go.”
Without another word she headed toward the front door, grabbing her purse as she passed.
There was dead silence in the room as Linnea and Cooper drew close and tried to piece together the last fifteen minutes and the repercussions that were sure to follow. Linnea was deeply shaken, Cooper more annoyed. Only Gordon was oblivious as he went about putting water in the teakettle and setting it to the flame. Finished, he turned and caught Linnea’s face.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“You could say that.”
“What? Your mother?”
“Of course, my mother. Gordon, you came walking out in your underwear!”
“I didn’t know your mother was here,” he replied in self-defense.
“Hey, you think that’s bad? Mom just got a look at Anna’s boobs,” said Cooper.
Linnea slumped against the counter with a soft groan.
“You’re kidding?” Gordon asked, amused.
“I wish he was,” Anna said, walking into the room dressed in khakis and an aquarium T-shirt, her uniform for her job.
“I’ll say this for the morning,” Cooper said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen my mother speechless.”
Linnea burst out a short laugh. “This isn’t funny.”
“What can she do to you?” Anna asked. “You’re both adults.” Then she raised a brow and looked at Cooper. “Well, one of you.”
Cooper returned a cold stare.
Anna went to put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I’ve got to go. I want all the juicy details when I get back.” With a wave, she grabbed her purse and departed.
Cooper cast a concerned glance at Linnea, then, shaking his head, left the room as well.
Linnea and Gordon stood in an awkward silence. The romantic mood of the morning had vanished. Linnea felt like she was in high school again, caught making out in the family room. This was her home. Her safe place. Yet it felt anything but that, and she felt again the walls closing in on her.
“I am sorry if I caused your mother any distress,” Gordon said. “It wasn’t my intention.”
“I know, I know,” Linnea said, and went to a chair and slid into it, shoulders hunched.
The teakettle began to whistle, a shrill mocking sound. Gordon turned off the flame, poured hot water into his mug, then joined Linnea at the table.
“Anna is right, you know,” he said. “You’re not a child. We’re not doing anything wrong. I don’t see why she’s upset.”
“That’s because you’re not Southern. She’s a Southern mother and I’m her only daughter.” She shook her head. “I don’t expect you to understand. Trust me, this is not good.”
He stepped closer and said sincerely, “Help me to understand.”
She waved her hand. “There’s the whole cultural thing. I suggest you try reading Faulkner. Or better yet, for my family, Tennessee Williams.”
Gordon sat back in his chair, rebuked.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. I’m upset. Because Mama was upset.” She paused. “You asked me to explain and I’ll try.” She paused. “When I went to live with John in California, it was a bad scene. They felt I’d turned my back on them. My father especially. When I returned, tail between my legs, they welcomed me back. But they’ve been watching my every move. My mother lives in fear I’ll end up a spinster.”
Gordon reached out to put his hand over hers. “I doubt that will ever happen.”
“She’s also worried about my reputation. Worried I’ll be hurt again.” She paused and slid her hand back to her lap. “Worried I’m making wrong decisions.”
Gordon looked at his hand alone on the table. “And… are you making a wrong decision?”
“About you? No.”
“About me moving in with you?”
She looked up at him. “Maybe,” she said, speaking honestly.
He pulled his hand back. He didn’t appear angry. More hurt.
“Perhaps,” he said in his even voice, “this house is a bit crowded.” He lifted his gaze to meet hers.
“Perhaps it is.”
“I see.”
“Gordon, please understand. It’s not you.”
He laughed shortly.
She cringed, knowing that sounded like the worst cliché. “Listen to me. Not living together doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be together,” Linnea tried to explain. “Yes, my mother for sure finds it improper. I mean”—she had to laugh—“she just found both her kids shacked up here. She must think it’s a bordello.”
Gordon had to laugh at that too.
“She’ll get over it. In time. But then there’s the other thing.” She paused. “I’ve been having a hard time with this decision. I admit, I’m gun-shy. The last time I moved in with a man, that didn’t turn out very well.”
“I’m not John.”
“I know that. You’re not at all alike. When I say it’s me, I mean it. Me. I’m not ready for a live-in relationship. And this pandemic isn’t helping. My whole life feels applecart upset.”
“Apple what?”
“It’s an American expression that basically means fucked up.”
“Ah. Right.” He pursed his lips.
She chewed her lip, not knowing what else to say, giving him time to think.
At length, Gordon asked, his gaze still averted, “This isn’t a breakup?”
“No, not at all. At least, I hope not. It’s more a step back. It’s what we’d planned originally. You were going to come back, rent a house. We’d have another summer to spend together, to get to know each other better. This other… it’s all too much too soon. Really, don’t you agree?”
Gordon shrugged.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
“Disappointed, maybe.”
Linnea looked at his hands, scraped from his work on the boat. Noble work. “I’m sorry.”