[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Asa was beginning to wonder. There was something in Angela s bloodshot eyes that
unsettled him.
He s never brought a boyfriend home before. Do you think he s ashamed of me?
Asa bit the inside of his cheek. He knew better than to answer Angela s question.
Deciding to change the subject, he searched his mind for something else to say. Mario tells
ARM CANDY Carol Lynne
63
me you used to work in some of the biggest casinos in Atlantic City. That must ve been an
exciting life. I bet you met all kinds of people.
Angela s wrinkled face brightened. Oh yes. I was quite the looker in my day. Even
though I was just a waitress, it seemed the wealthiest men loved to come on to me. Some of
them married, some of them not. It didn t matter to me though because I always knew they d
be gone when their vacation ended. She shrugged her bony shoulders. Such is life in
Atlantic City. You learn quickly to take advantage of a situation like that.
Asa couldn t believe the pride in the woman s voice about what she d done. He decided
to probe a bit into Mario s childhood to see if his instincts about the sad boy in the portrait
were accurate. Did you usually work days or evenings when Mario was growing up?
Days, definitely. It left my evenings free.
Asa smiled. Maybe Angela wasn t as bad a mother as he d thought. He sipped at his tea
and half-watched the programme running on TV.
You know I used to tell Mario that when I got old, he d have to take care of me. He s
done a pretty good job. If only he had the extra money to help me buy my medicine he
would be the perfect son. Still, I guess it s enough that he pays for my utilities and food. I just
wish there was enough left over for my meds.
Asa knew Mario sent his mother everything he could. When his lover had mentioned it,
Asa found it commendable, but he hadn t realised at the time Mario was paying for so much
of his mother s living expenses.
I know he sends what he can.
Yeah, I m sure he does. Although with a rich boyfriend, he should have more money
to spare before long. I just hope my health continues to stay the way it is until I can get my
medicine.
The hair on the back of Asa s neck prickled. He knew exactly what Angela was doing,
but he also knew how Mario would react if he found out. How much do you need?
Oh, not much, really. My medicine comes to almost three hundred a month, but I m
hoping he ll be able to send me closer to five hundred. I sacrificed so much for him in the
past. I would hope I d be worth at least that much to him.
Asa inwardly sighed. He knew Angela would spend the extra money on nothing but
liquor. Think. Think. I could probably help you out on two conditions.
And they are? Angela asked with a completely innocent expression on her aging face.
ARM CANDY Carol Lynne
64
You never mention a word of this to Mario, and you remain sober until after we
leave. Although he worried he was making the wrong decision, he thought Mario deserved
at least one holiday with his mother that wasn t mired in alcohol.
Angela s big smile quickly turned down. Exactly how long are you staying?
Here? Asa glanced at his watch. He knew they d need to stay through the
Thanksgiving dinner or Mario would get suspicious. For about another twenty-two hours,
but we ll be in Atlantic City until Monday.
Angela seemed to think about life without a bottle for the next twenty-two hours. She
eventually nodded. You ve got a deal.
* * * *
Mario stared at the ceiling of his boyhood bedroom. It was still unbelievable to him that
his mom had remained sober. He thought Asa had got along well with her, but his lover had
just suggested they check into one of the casinos for the remainder of their holiday weekend.
Did she say something to you? Mario knew there had to be an incident behind Asa s
sudden change in attitude.
Asa rolled onto his back, away from Mario. I think she s trying very hard not to drink
with us here. I just thought we shouldn t push our luck beyond Thanksgiving dinner. Why?
Don t you want to do a bit of gambling while we re here?
Mario knew most people would let the explanation go. He agreed that his mom was
trying hard not to drink, but Mario couldn t help thinking there was more to it. Promise me
she didn t say anything to you?
Asa sighed and propped his head up on his hand. She told me some stuff about her
younger days.
The days when she d fuck any man with an extra dollar to spend on her? Mario
added.
Yeah, something like that. Although I was surprised to hear she worked days so she
had her nights free for you.
Mario couldn t help but laugh. She worked days so she could troll the casinos at night.
Men tend to be loose with their money when they re horny and drunk.
Asa stiffened. What about you?
ARM CANDY Carol Lynne
65
What about me? I spent the majority of my nights locked in the car in one parking lot
or another. She was nice enough to provide me a flashlight, though, so I could get my
homework done.
Asa said nothing for several moments. He eventually snuggled against Mario s side. I
have a confession to make.
Mario had a feeling there was more going on than what Asa had led him to believe.
Spill.
Well, your mom was hinting that she was going to start hitting you up for more
money because you didn t send her enough to pay for her medication. I knew you already
sent her as much as you could, so I made a deal with her.
Mario felt bile start to rise in his throat. First of all, I don t send my mom any money. I
pay her utilities directly to the companies. There s a store down the street that calls me when
she goes in, and I authorise the grocery bill, which I pay. I tried to buy her medication the
same way, but I found out she was selling the drugs for cash as soon as she got them, so I
stopped. Do I feel like shit for it? Yeah. But what else am I supposed to do?
Asa hugged him. I m so sorry.
Now, I need to know what kind of deal you made with her. I assume it s the reason
she s not wasted?
Asa nodded. I told her I d help her out if she stayed sober while we were here. I
thought you deserved a holiday to remember with her.
Oh, I ll remember it, believe me. Fuck. He couldn t believe his mom had once again
managed to shame him. Get up. We re gettin outta here.
Asa sat up. Please, don t be mad at me.
Mario cupped Asa s cheek and kissed him. I m not mad at you. I should ve known
before I brought you that she d find a way to exploit your tenderness.
He started to get off the bed, but Asa grabbed his arm. Please, Mario. Let s just make it
through Thanksgiving dinner. You never know when it might be the last one with her.
How could he possibly make Asa understand what he was feeling? He d taken care of
his mother since he was old enough to earn a paycheque, and he was tired of it. He knew not
liking his mother was expected after the way she d treated him growing up, but in that
moment, Mario realised he didn t even love her.
ARM CANDY Carol Lynne
66
For years he d done the exact thing he d admonished Asa for, and it was time to put a
stop to it. I m done here. There s nothing left for me. Thanksgiving should be spent at home
with the people you love. Please, can we just go?
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]