The Courage To Love

  ***

  Sean shoved all the necessary paperwork in an envelope. It had taken a few days to gather everything required by the bank, but now he had all of it. Tomorrow he’d drop it off for review. The mortgage counselor had all but assured him that he’d get approved. As soon as he did, he would put in his offer. The only thing he needed to do now was convince his mom. A few times that weekend he’d tried broaching the subject, but each time she told him they could discuss it later. Well, later had arrived.

  Closing the attic door behind him, he jogged down the stairs but paused when he passed the Longfellow room. They’d woken up together in his room and had made love one last time before she had checked out that morning. Before she had climbed into her car, she’d promised to call tonight. He’d warned her that he hated long phone conversations, but she’d insisted anyway. And now, damn if he wasn’t looking forward to her call. He’d grown used to her presences around the house. He already missed her and only a few hours had passed. He’d never expected that.

  She’s only around for another month. Enjoy it.

  He pushed the image of her that morning from his head and followed the sound of the vacuum cleaner down into the living room.

  “Ma,” he called, his voice louder than normal. “I need to talk to you.”

  Maureen switched off the vacuum. “Just let me finish in here. I’m almost done. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  A few minutes later Maureen joined him. “Did you try the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies? It’s a new recipe.” Maureen poured herself a cup of coffee before she sat down and placed a plate of cookies on the table.

  “No, not yet. Maybe later.” Everything his mother made tasted great. He saw no reason these cookies would be any different.

  “Do you plan to visit Mia in Boston?” she asked as she added sugar to her coffee. “I really like her.”

  His mom never missed an opportunity to bring up his love life. Ever since his sister’s wedding she’d been focused on him getting married, too.

  “Friday,” he answered, folding his hand on the table. “Ma, I have an appointment with the bank tomorrow about a mortgage.” If he didn’t take control of the conversation from the beginning, he’d never get a word in.

  Maureen’s shoulder’s slumped as she wrapped her hands around her coffee. “I’m not thrilled with this idea of yours. You’ve got enough work around here already not counting the hours you put in for the town.”

  “I’ve already decided to give up my part time work with the town if this goes through.”

  “I still don’t know, Sean. I wish you’d start thinking about yourself more, and about this place less. You need your own life. I want to see you get married and have children.” Maureen placed her hand over his. “If you’re a slave to this place, that’ll never happen.”

  Sean bit back a swear. His mother hated when he swore. “Is that your only objection? If so I plan to proceed.”

  Sadness clouded his mother’s eyes. “You do what you have to and I’ll do what I have to.”

  Icy fingers skated down his back at his mother’s statement. “What do you mean, Ma?” As far as he knew his mother never kept secrets from him, and he didn’t hide things from her. Well, under normal circumstances he didn’t hide things. The appearance of his father and their upcoming meeting was another matter all together.

  “Nothing you need to worry about.” She patted his hand and then lifted her coffee mug. “If you talk to Mia, tell her I said hello.” Without another word she stood and left the room.

  Sean remained in the kitchen as his mom went back to vacuuming. She hadn’t told him not to proceed with his plan, but she’d let him know how she felt. And, man, if her last statement didn’t make him uneasy.

  The business was just as important to her as him. It was the primary source of their income and she’d never do anything to jeopardize that. Still, from the sound of it, she had something big planned that he wasn’t going to like. But what?

  He snagged a cookie from the plate on the table, more for something to do as he considered his mom’s words than because he was hungry. Should he interrupt her again and demand an answer? Or should he leave it and see how things played out? Either way, he planned to keep his meeting tomorrow, so why risk the aggravation now? If need be, they could battle about it later.