19. Dean - Coral the Mother Figure

Dean - Coral the Mother Figure

Chapter nineteen

"What were you and Mae talking about for so long?" I ask, after Coral comes back into the house.

"Just girl stuff."

"Girl stuff? What does that mean?"

"Exactly. You're a man, so you aren't supposed to know."

I shake my head. "Whatever."

"Huh. I wonder where your son gets it."

My teeth grind together. Very funny.

"So, what were you up to while I was away?"

"Well, I was attempting to review the contractor's bids for the condominium—"

"What? You're still going through with all of that?"

"Coral, I have to."

"But Mae…"

"I know you have this fantastical idea about us ending up together and living happily ever after, but that just isn't reality. The reality is that I need to make this deal go through. I mean, think of all the money—"

"I've told you a thousand times that I don't care about money."

"Well, the fact that you've popped five kids out says differently." I'm being cruel to her, and I know it. But I can't stand to listen to her go on about Mae anymore.

"And here I was just upselling you to your next-door neighbor and telling her how nice of a person you are."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know. But I can tell she likes you."

Ugh!

"I know you're yelling at me in your head," she confesses. "You get this distinctive wrinkle above your left eye when you do that."

I rub at my head but say, "I do not."

"Trust me, you do. Are we done fighting now? Remember, we're on the same team."

"It doesn't feel like it with you constantly going against this project."

"I just—"

"I know. You don't have to say it."

"… I just don't want you to end up dying all alone." That was not what I was expecting to come out of her mouth.

She starts tearing up a bit.

"What makes you say that?"

"I've never seen your eyes light up the way they do when you look at Mae… Well, not since Anna left. It's been years, but the mention of her name still makes you look like you're fighting against some sort of rage. And I know your constant chase for monetary gain is some kind of coping mechanism. But it's okay to just let go, stop looking for your next big paycheck, and just have a little bit of fun once in a while."

"I have fun."

"Oh, yeah? Like what?"

"You know I've been painting again."

"Right, and how has it been going?"

"Good, actually." I lead her over to a closet and take out the most recent canvas I worked on.

"It's really beautiful, Dean," Coral says, admiring it. It's here, right?" she asks.

"Yeah."

We go over to the window, and I hold my art up to show her the part of Mae's yard I worked off of.

"See? This place inspires you!"

I roll my eyes.

"Don't give me that. I'm just saying—"

"What's for lunch?" Dylan asks, after gracing us with his gloomy presence.

I put the painting away and go over to the kitchen.

"We have the leftovers that you didn't want to eat for breakfast."

He shrugs. "Okay."

"What about for us?" Coral asks.

"I didn't really think about that when I was at the market this morning. Guess you could say I've been distracted."

She rolls her eyes at me just like Dylan does, but rummages around and then makes the same determination I knew she would.

"Never mind. You're right. There's nothing."

"Let me get him all situated and then I'll go back to the store."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. We should really stock up anyway. It doesn't seem like the storm is going to break anytime soon."

"Okay."

I put his food in the microwave to heat up again.

"Hey, Dyl. I was just showing Coral my recent painting. Do you want to show her your artwork?"

"You paint, too?" She whips her head around to face him.

"No, I draw."

"Oh! Well, I'd love to see some of your work. If you're comfortable with sharing it."

"Sure." He runs to his room and comes back moments later with a full folder of drawings.

"Wow. These are really great, Dyl. I am honestly blown away. I had no idea you could do this!"

He doesn't say anything, but I urge him to with my eyes.

"Th—thanks."

When Dylan makes his escape to the bathroom, she holds the one up that is very clearly Mina, Mae's daughter. "Is this?"

"Yeah. I think you're looking at the very reason that he's been so distant and sad. He got spooked by his feelings for her and acted out."

"You stupid boys never learn." She puts the drawing back into the folder.

"I know. That's what I told him."

"So, why doesn't he just apologize?"

"I don't think he knows how to. Especially since our cellphones aren't working."

"Is this his first little crush?"

"The first one he's told me about, at least."

She lightly claps her hands. "That's so exciting."

"It is. But also, terrifying," I admit.

"Yeah, it's a whole new ball game when the youngsters start dating."

"How'd you handle it with Jerad?"

"We just sat him down and explained the importance of acting like a gentleman around girls."

"We've already had that talk."

"And I assume you've had the other talk as well?"

"Yes, of course. That bird sailed many years ago after he watched American Pie at a friend's house without my knowledge."

Chuckling, Coral says: "Well, then I don't think you have much to worry about, Dean. You just have to trust that you raised him right."

I laugh out loud.

"What?"

"No, it's just funny Coral. I was just talking to Mae about this. The difference between raising a teenage boy and girl, I mean."

"Oh, goodness. It's so much harder with the girls."

"That's what she said. Of course she really doesn't personally have that comparison."

"If only the two of you had someone else to help co-parent each other's children…"

"Coral!"

"I'm sorry. I can't help it. I will die on this hill, you know."

"Yeah, I'm starting to catch onto that."

Dylan returns so we have to stop talking about him.

"So, Dyl. Other than drawing, what have you been doing to keep yourself occupied while we bunker away in this old farmhouse?" Coral asks.

"I don't know." His food is ready, and I bring it over to him. "Thanks, Coral."

"I have been reading a little," he finally reveals.

"Oh, yeah? What have you been reading?"

"I've been going back over the Harry Potter books I have on my old Kindle."

"Very nice! Maxine is also a Potterhead."

I look at her strangely.

"A fan of all things Harry Potter. Potterhead."

"Ah."

"She's been begging me forever to take her to Universal Studios to Harry Potter World."

"Why haven't you?" I inquire.

"Just haven't found the time yet.

"Well, after I sign this big deal, you'll have plenty of downtime…and money to do whatever you want with," Dean interjects. She glares at me angrily.

"I'm just saying."

"And maybe we can go too?" Dylan turns to me and asks.

"Is that something you'd want to do?" Knowing my kid, exploring around a fake, magical world seemed like something he'd think he was too cool for.

"Well, yeah. They have a Jurassic Park ride that I want to go on.

"Jurassic Park? Since when do you like those movies?" I tried getting him into the first one when he was young, but he found it boring.

"Since Mina told me she liked them."

And there it is. I'm kind of surprised he actually admitted that.

"Well, if it works out with our schedules, I'm sure we could go."

"Awesome, Dad!" It's nice to see him happy again. He finishes his food and asks to be excused to his room.

"You'd actually love it, Dean. There's a Fast & Furious studio tour that you can go on."

"Is there? That would be cool."

"And we already know that Mina would go on that ride with Dylan. Maybe there's another pretty brunette who might join you for the tour?"

"I'm not certain what your natural color is. But you've been a blonde ever since I've known you, Cor."

"Not me! Mae!"

Of course, I already knew where she was going—as subtlety has never been her strong suit.

"I highly doubt she'll be interested in doing anything with me after I buy and destroy their land."

"Ugh! You just won't give up on that. Will you?"

"I'll drop it when you drop this thing between Mae and me."

"You know I can't do that."

"And neither can I."

"But you can!"

"No, I can't. The potential money is too great to just walk away from. I indulged you for a bit and even considered going with a different property. But as you found out, this is the best, in terms of location and price."

"But I—"

It's a standoff – as usually with her. So, I figure getting out of there is the best defense.

"I'm going to go to the market before the rain gets any harder. Do you want to come with me?"

"No." She's pouting.

"Okay, well, I'll be back soon. How does grilled cheese sound for lunch?"

"Whatever."

I can't help but laugh at her acting like my moody fourteen-year-old son.