Knowing Garrett was a member changed her attitude about their relationship. Before, she was absolutely positive she would never talk to the man again after their vacation was over. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
She grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt emblazoned across the front with her favorite clothing label then headed into the bathroom to change. She carefully combed out her hair and touched up her makeup. She hadn’t been so careful about her appearance in years. After staring at herself a moment, she stepped out of the bathroom to grab her white tailored blouse.
Christina stared at her with wide eyes. “What’s the matter, Mommy?”
Cathee laughed. “Sorry. I can’t decide what to wear.”
“You look nice.”
“Thanks, Honey.” Cathee noticed Christina’s dress flung on the bed. “Please put your shoes in the closet. I’ll hang up your dress after I change. I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” She moved obediently to put her dress shoes away.
As Cathee buttoned the final button, she stared at herself in the mirror and shook her head. “I don’t think so.” She changed back into her original t-shirt.
It seemed strange to be caring about how she looked. Like she was sixteen again. She was surprised by how young she felt. She’d been feeling like an old woman far too long. Being a single mom had aged her. Carrying all the responsibility of raising her daughter alone had been draining. Carrying the burden of the Juan ordeal had been even more draining.
She stared in the mirror and wished for her mother. She needed someone to talk to. She’d never felt comfortable confiding in her aunt–especially after she moved out to live with a foster family. They hadn’t communicated much since she’d moved to Utah. Just a few letters – usually at Christmas. She had some bridges to repair, but she hadn’t quite known how to face her aunt and uncle. Thanksgiving, she promised herself again. I will see them at Thanksgiving.
She stepped out of the bathroom and hung up both of their dresses and the blouse she’d decided not to wear. She picked up her athletic shoes, then put them back and slipped into her white leather flip flops.
Cathee opened the cooler and scrutinized its contents. There wasn’t a lot. She hoped it was enough to feed a hungry man. She looked up at her daughter, “Christina, could you grab three plates, three knives, and some napkins? I’ll carry the cooler and the loaf of bread.”
Christina obediently picked up the items.
Cathee tucked her key card into her purse. She looked at the time on her cell phone. “It’s almost 1:00. Garrett should be at the table.”
“I like Garrett. He’s nice to me.”
“I like him, too, Honey, but you shouldn’t call adults by their first names.”
“What should I call him?”
Cathee furrowed her brow in thought. What should her daughter call him? She’d never dated anyone. She couldn’t say she wasn’t dating the man when they were heading into their second date. Her parents had raised her not to call adults by their first names, and she was certainly planning to continue the tradition. Brother Andrews seems way too...I don’t know...churchie? What on earth should I have Christina call him? Finally, she said, “You can call him Mr. Garrett.”
“That sounds funny, Mommy.”
Cathee laughed. “It does, doesn’t it? Hopefully, we’ll get used to it.”