The Truest of Words

by Georgina Guthrie

  He showered me with hot, wet kisses.

  “You could at least try to stay inside the lines.” I laughed, wiping my chin.

  “Quit smothering my creativity.” He snuck his hand under the covers, hooking his finger under the edge of my panties and tugging them down my legs.

  “On second thought, I guess staying in the lines is good sometimes,” he whispered. “But it depends what lines we’re talking about…” He kicked off his boxers and rolled on top of me, clasping my hands above my head. “And how far apart they are,” he added, pushing my legs open with his knee before sliding inside me with a quick thrust. “Mmm…these lines, for example?”

  “Uh-huh?” I said, gazing up at his face as I lifted my hips.

  “Fuck, I could stay inside these lines forever.”

  Chapter 6

  Hopeful Expectations

  I leave it to your honourable survey, and your honour to your

  heart’s content; which I wish may always answer your own wish

  and the world’s hopeful expectation.

  (Venus and Adonis, Dedication)

  “HI, MOM,” I said, watching Daniel pretend fascination with his newspaper.

  “Aubrey? What a surprise. I didn’t recognize the phone number. Did I know you were calling today?”

  “I wanted to wish you a happy Mother’s Day.”

  “Thank you, sweetie. I got your card on Thursday. Only a few weeks now and I’ll be on a plane heading home to see you graduate. How are things? Any job prospects?”

  “Not yet. I’m working on it.”

  I decided against informing her that I’d just abandoned the secure source of income I’d intended to rely on until the end of July. No point worrying her. Daniel peeked over the top of his newspaper as if to say, Well, get on with it. I slid onto one of the breakfast bar stools.

  “Look, Mom, there’s another reason why I’m calling.”

  “Is everything okay? You sound strange.”

  “I’m fine, really. I just wanted to tell you that when you come home, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

  “Someone you want me to meet?”

  “Yeah, you see, there’s this guy…” I looked over my shoulder. Daniel had abandoned all pretense of reading the paper and was leaning on his hand, smiling at me.

  Daniel pressed a kiss to my lips. “You look beautiful.”

  “It’s a beautiful dress.”

  “I’m not talking about the dress, Aubrey. I’m talking about you.” He pushed the elevator button while appraising my legs. “The shoes on the other hand? I can’t wait to see you in just the shoes later on.”

  His eyes sparkled as he grinned at me. I snuck my fingers inside the collar of his shirt.

  “I like it when you wear your collar open. Very shmexy.”

  “That’s exactly the look I was going for. Gotta look shmexy for Mother’s Day, I always say.” He kissed me again, smiling against my lips. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  When the elevator doors opened to reveal the hotel lobby, Daniel casually dropped my hand. His father’s one request had been that we behave discreetly until we were inside the private dining room he’d booked.

  “I can’t believe I’m at the King Edward Hotel,” I whispered as we crossed the grand lobby.

  Daniel led me down a hallway and pushed open a door, revealing a room with lightly painted walls, ornate sconces every few feet, and a coffered ceiling. There were eight place settings on the table, each with a delicate china cup and saucer and folded white napkin. The centerpiece was a beautiful arrangement of white flowers. Tasteful and elegant. Brad, Penny, and Jeremy were lounging in a sitting area in the corner of the room.

  “I’m glad we’re not late,” Daniel said, placing our gifts on a table inside the door.

  “You’re cutting it close,” Penny said as she joined us. “Your dad just texted Brad. They’re in the parking garage downstairs.”

  “Mom’s gonna be stoked to have everyone here,” Brad said through a mouthful of food.

  I peered at him around Daniel’s shoulder. “What’s he eating?”

  “Roast beef on a Kaiser.” Penny rolled her eyes. “He’s afraid he’ll languish and die, being forced to eat cucumber sandwiches. Bloody gannet.”

  “Penn, try to speak English,” Daniel said, gesturing to my confused expression.

  “I am speaking English, you daft prat.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m getting every fourth word.” I laughed.

  “Am I that bad?” Penny asked.

  “I’m kidding. You’re fine.” I gestured at Jeremy, who was glumly staring at his phone. “Is he okay?”

  “He was talking to Julie. She’s on her way home to Windsor. Poor sod misses her already.”

  The door opened behind us, and we all turned to watch David enter, his wife and mother-in-law on either side of him. Gwen drew her hands over her mouth, her eyes widening in delight.

  “Surprise!” Brad said, abandoning his roll on the table and crossing the room to give her and Patty a hug. Jeremy and Daniel followed.

  Gwen swatted Jeremy’s arm. “You lied to me. You told me you had a business meeting.”

  “Gwendolyn, it was a surprise,” Patty said. “It’s not lying when you’re trying to surprise someone.”

  “I suppose not,” Gwen said, hugging Daniel and Jeremy in turn, then spinning around and surveying the room. “Thank you for doing this, David, but did we really need a private dining room?”

  The boys moved on to fuss over Patty, and David put his arm around Gwen’s waist. “I wanted Aubrey to join us. I thought the privacy would make us all more comfortable.”

  More likely the arrangement made him more comfortable, but I wasn’t about to split hairs.

  “How lovely.” Gwen reached for my hand, smiling warmly. “Thank you for coming.”

  “My pleasure. Happy Mother’s Day.”

  Penny echoed my greetings, hugging her future mother-in-law.

  “Ladies,” David interrupted. “Shall we sit?”

  “Of course,” Gwen said.

  Two waitresses wheeled a tea trolley into the room. On the top, pots of coffee and tea and four three-tiered trays with sandwiches and assorted sweets were arranged. David suggested a seating arrangement and everyone sat accordingly. I had Daniel on one side of me and Jeremy on the other. The waitresses moved around the table, serving coffee and tea, and then they encouraged us to help ourselves to food before exiting the room.

  “May I say something before we start?” Gwen said.

  “Of course,” David said. “It’s your day.”

  “I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for giving up your afternoon to be here. You know how important it is to me to have the family together. I feel very blessed.”

  Jeremy wagged his finger at her. “Don’t get all weepy.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m a terrible sap, aren’t I?”

  I caught David winking at her, and she smiled coquettishly. I had a sudden vision of their courtship. He must have swept her off her feet. There was no denying that Daniel had learned a few tricks from his father.

  Quiet conversations broke out around the table as everyone filled their plates and passed the milk, cream, and sugar. Brad struggled to hold the dainty tea cup. He was all thumbs.

  “So, Aubrey,” Gwen said, once we were all settled. “You’re just a few weeks away from convocation. You must be pleased to be finished.”

  “It’s wonderful,” I said.

  David sighed heavily. “Please don’t start counting down the days until convocations begin, Gwen. Do you realize how much I have to prepare in the next few weeks?”

  “You’ll do brilliantly, dear,” Gwen assured him. “You still have plenty of time to get everything ready for the ceremonies, and you always shine, regardless of what you turn your hand to. Tell me, Aubrey,” she said, looking over at me. “I’ve been meaning to ask Daniel, what is it that your father does?”

 
; “He’s a consultant for a new mining company in Calgary.”

  “That sounds interesting.”

  “I suppose. I don’t completely understand what his job entails. He travels a lot. He’s up in Fort McMurray right now on a three-month contract. Turns out he won’t be able to come to convocation. I just found out on Thursday.”

  “That’s unfortunate. Will your mother be coming?”

  “She’s coming for a few days, yes.”

  “Only a few days?”

  “I’m sure we’ll make the most of our time together.”

  Daniel smiled at me reassuringly. We’d discussed my mother’s visit, and he’d promised to give me lots of space while she was here. He’d even proposed that I sleep at Jackman during her stay, since the hotel she’d booked was on Bloor, five minutes from campus.

  Gwen turned her attention to Jeremy, allowing me to work my way through a couple of sandwiches.

  “Before I forget, Jeremy, have you sorted out your schedule for the assemblies?” she asked. “I meant to bring it up this morning, but you were out the door like a shot, and it completely slipped my mind.”

  “Yeah, I should be good for both.”

  “What’s that about?” Daniel asked.

  “Jeremy is addressing the spring prom assemblies at UCC and Havergal,” Gwen explained. “It’s a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers initiative to discourage drinking and driving on prom night. I’ve been asking him for a couple of years now, and he’s finally agreed to help.”

  Jeremy shrugged uncomfortably. Had his mother worn him down, or was this something he genuinely wanted to do?

  “Good for you for taking it on, J,” Daniel said.

  Jeremy waved off his brother’s compliment. “No biggie.”

  “Your father and I are proud of you for doing this,” Gwen said. “It’s an important step, being able to talk about everything openly. If only one person remembers your story and makes a wise decision as a result, then it’s worthwhile, don’t you think?”

  He smiled grimly and rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose so. Can we talk about something else?”

  Patty quickly filled the uncomfortable silence, moving the attention away from Jeremy.

  “I’m curious to hear about your paper, Daniel. How’s the writing coming along?”

  “Daniel’s been writing quite a bit this week, actually,” I said.

  I didn’t think dirty poems were quite what Patty was referring to, but I couldn’t resist making him squirm. He tapped my foot with his before saying, “Yes, that’s true. Aubrey is very…motivating. I’m sure I’ll be able to make a lot of headway now that life is settling down.”

  “That’s marvelous,” Patty said. “I wish your grandfather could be here to read your work. Gwen, won’t it be lovely to have another professor in the family?”

  “Patty,” Daniel protested quietly.

  “Goodness, you boys need to stop withering under the slightest compliment,” Patty observed.

  “Don’t lump me in with them,” Brad chimed in. “I know I’m awesome.”

  “Of course you are, dear,” Patty said. “You’ve got your grandfather’s business sense, that’s for certain.”

  “Thanks, Patty,” he said, jamming another sandwich into his mouth.

  “Not to mention his superior taste in women,” Penny added.

  “You’re absolutely right,” Patty said. “Bradley and Daniel have chosen very wisely.”

  Daniel squeezed my hand under the table, and my face warmed with pleasure.

  “Now we just need to find a lovely girl for our Jeremy,” Gwen said, looking at him affectionately.

  “Um, yeah, about that…” Jeremy fidgeted in his seat.

  Uh-oh. The moment of truth.

  “I actually am seeing someone,” he added.

  I felt Daniel tensing beside me.

  “You are?” Gwen seemed both surprised and thrilled. “That’s wonderful. Tell us about her.”

  Jeremy cleared his throat. “Her name is Julie,” he said, looking down at his coffee. For a second, I thought that’s all he was going to say, but then he blurted, “She’s a dancer.”

  David’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Wait, not that kind of dancer,” Jeremy said, shaking his head. “Ballet, tap, modern dance. That sort of thing. She’s taken dance lessons since she was a kid. While she’s been at university, she’s been dancing with a Toronto-based company, but she still dances with a studio in Windsor. That’s where she’s from.”

  “She does have a degree, then?” David clarified.

  “She’s graduating from Trinity at U of T. Don’t worry, she’s very intelligent, Dad.”

  “What did she major in?” Gwen asked.

  “Art history and English,” Jeremy said, relaxing. Now that the topic of their relationship was open for discussion, he seemed relieved to be talking about it.

  “Art history, how lovely.” Gwen smiled at her husband. “I wish we’d known. She could have joined us today.”

  “She’s heading home with her parents today,” Jeremy said.

  “Oh, I see,” Gwen said.

  “You’ll meet her soon. I’m sure you’ll like her.”

  “What’s not to like?” Brad said. “She’s cute, she’s feisty, she’s smart, and she puts up with your brutal driving. All win.”

  David’s eyes flickered over to Brad. “You’ve met her?”

  Brad nodded, unable to say more, having just closed his mouth around a whole strawberry tart.

  “She’s delightful, David,” Penny said. “They make a lovely couple.”

  Daniel nodded, and David looked at him. “You’ve met her as well?”

  Daniel smiled grimly. “Yep.”

  David’s glance darted to me. I grimaced. “Guilty. She’s actually one of my best friends.”

  And she was in Professor Brown’s class, too! Surprise!

  I didn’t share that tidbit.

  Patty was grinning, clearly amused by the goings-on.

  “Surely you haven’t met her, Mother?” Gwen said.

  Patty laughed. “Of course I haven’t met her. And don’t get your britches in a knot. Jeremy’s been testing the waters. Surely you remember how difficult it is bringing someone home to meet your parents.”

  She looked pointedly at David who cleared his throat and smirked at his mother-in-law. Gwen ignored her mother’s comment.

  “Long distance relationships are difficult, Jeremy. What will you do?” she asked.

  “She’s coming back to Toronto before convocation,” Jeremy explained. “Actually, we’re, uh, thinking of getting a place together. A two-bedroom apartment or something.”

  David’s mouth stopped mid-chew, and Daniel turned to me, as if to inquire if I’d known about this. I was just as surprised as everyone else. Why hadn’t they mentioned it the night before?

  “How wonderful,” Patty said, perhaps hoping to prevent any unfavorable reaction from Gwen and David. “It’s lovely to see everyone starting their lives.” She reached across to pat his hand. “I’m thrilled for you, dear.”

  “Thanks, Patty.” Jeremy smiled at her.

  “It would seem that my sons are masters of secrecy,” David said.

  “You know what they say about apples and trees.” Patty took a sip of her tea and gazed impassively at her son-in-law over the edge of her cup.

  Yeah, he couldn’t deny that one.

  “I completely understand his desire to keep his young lady under wraps for a while,” Patty said. “I’ve been a keeping a certain gentleman to myself for a few months, as well.”

  Daniel expelled a quiet hissing breath, and we both braced ourselves for Patty to break the news about Gerald. Yet another fencepost was about to be reduced to wood shavings before our eyes.

  “What do you mean, Mother?” Gwen said.

  “I’ve been spending time with a gentleman named Gerald,” Patty said matter-of-factly. “We’ve been courting for about six months.”

  Patty took
another sip of tea, blinking serenely at her daughter across the table.

  “Gerald?” Gwen said. “Where did he come from? How did you meet him?”

  “He’s perfectly lovely. I met him at Florence’s house at Christmas. And before you get all worked up, Gwendolyn, Gerald will never take your father’s place in my heart. He’s a companion—a wonderful friend—and a dear man.”

  “No, I wasn’t…” Gwen looked at her husband for some sort of assistance. “I’m happy for you, Mother. I’d…we’d…like to meet him.”

  “In due time.” Patty dabbed her mouth and folded her napkin beside her plate. “I need to visit the ladies room,” she announced. “Aubrey, would you accompany me, please?”

  “Oh, yes, of course. I should…p-powder my nose,” I stammered.

  I was relieved to have the opportunity to escape for a few minutes. I followed Patty to the washroom where she dropped her handbag on the counter and smiled roguishly.

  “Having fun yet?” she said, uncapping a tube of coral lipstick and applying it liberally before using a tissue to dab off the excess.

  “Never a dull moment, that’s for sure.”

  “Not with this family.” She drew a compact from her purse and proceeded to pat her face with powder. “I hadn’t planned to say anything about Gerald today. I think I took myself by surprise. I need to collect my thoughts. Thank you for joining me. I have this irrational fear of dying alone in a public washroom.”

  “It’s all right, Patty. A breather is good. I need to deal with this blister, anyway. New shoes,” I explained, rustling in my purse for a Band-Aid and wrapping it around my heel. “I’m glad you told everyone about Gerald. It’s too bad he couldn’t have come today.”

  I reclined against the counter as she fanned herself with a hanky.

  “You know, I briefly considered inviting him. He’s lost two wives, you know. Both of them to breast cancer. He was alone for a long time. He has his children, of course, but they have busy lives.”

  “Mother’s Day must be difficult for him. There are probably lots of bittersweet memories.”

  “Undoubtedly. Breast cancer is a terrible disease. Make sure you do regular breast exams, Aubrey.” She wagged her finger at me. “Get Daniel’s help. That makes the process far more enjoyable. Take my advice and learn about each other’s bodies,” she said. “Memorize each other. One day, you’ll know his body almost as well as your own. That’s how it was with my Bradford. There comes a point, after you’ve loved someone long enough, that you can’t even tell where you end and where he begins, both in body and soul.” Her eyes twinkled. “That probably sounds quaint and old-fashioned to you.”