The Word of a Liar (15 page)

Mason reached for her hand.

“After a few times of having sex like that, Paul told me I didn’t need to do it anymore. He wondered why I did it in the first place. I told him I thought he was enjoying it… I mean… he could’ve fooled me.”

They both laughed.

“He didn’t think a woman like me should do something like that.  He made me feel ashamed… dirty…. So I stopped.”

Ellen shrugged.

“What about other lovers? I mean after your husband died.”

Ellen dropped her head; she twisted the napkin by her plate into a tight roll. When she finally answered, she spoke in such a soft voice he could barely make out the words. “There hasn’t been anyone else. Until you.”

She looked up.

“Come over here.” Mason scooted his chair back from the table.

Ellen got up and went to him. She sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder. Her hair smelled like the roses inside the house. He embraced her, rocking her gently.

“Where did you come from, Mason? You don’t seem real to me. Am I going to close my eyes and when I open them find you’ve been just a lovely dream?”

Overcome with foreign emotions, it took him a moment to respond.

“I’m real, Ellen,” he whispered into her ear. “If you drop me, I’ll break.”

She rubbed the soft prickle of his beard, the smoothness of his temple, and then kissed him. She wanted time to stop so she could savor his image and allow this moment of total satisfaction to linger awhile longer. She got up from his lap and then took her seat.  She picked up her wine and smiled. “So tell me something about Mason Hackett.”

Mason leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs.

“I’m the youngest of six. Five brothers. My father is a retired army lieutenant colonel. A strict disciplinarian, he made certain his children knew how to behave. Believe it or not, my mother was an English teacher but quit when she started having kids. They sent me to West Point after high school, but I dropped out after the first semester. I doubt I will ever be forgiven. After several years of fast and loose living, I ended up in Milwaukee and got a real job. And then one night I stopped to help a damsel in distress and met you.”

“Where did the romantic Mason come from?”

Mason sighed. “My mom, I guess. She’d get into poetic moods, haul all of our asses into the living room, and read poetry. Frost, Whitman, Dylan….When we got old enough, she forced us to read
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
. She wanted her boys to know how to woo a woman.”

“She did a good job. I’d give you an A-plus-plus for tonight.”

Mason reached under the table. Running his hand up Ellen’s thigh, he attempted to divert the conversation to something much less personal.  “Here’s a trivia question for you, what name does the gamekeeper give his dick in
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
?”

Ellen squeezed her eyes shut and smiled. “That’s a tough one. Do I get a life line?”

She opened her eyes.

“Absolutely not.”

“Well… I believe… he referred to his genitals as John Thomas and Connie’s as Lady Jane.”

“Well done, my queen!”

“It was an easy question.
Lady Chatterley
is one of my favorite novels.”

“I should’ve known.”

Mason smiled and leaned back. Looking at Ellen was like holding an old negative up to the light. With the sun setting behind her, it lit up her sheer nightgown, exposing her nakedness underneath. Oblivious to her provocative silhouette, Ellen chattered innocently about the book. Mason half listened as his bedroom thoughts stole his attention, but then he remembered the phone call he’d taken this morning, and it robbed him of his pleasure. He took another drink of beer.

“I forgot to tell you, Ellen. Your son called this morning. I think I scared him by answering the phone. He asked me if I was a stranger and then thought I’d kidnapped you. Your sister Samantha got on the line and gave me the third degree. She seems like a real smartass, like you. She said she’d call you on your cell. Anyway,” Mason said, leaning forward, “I think I need to know about autism.”

Ellen’s body stiffened. Her face turned as pale as the night he found her on the highway. With shaky hands, she picked up her glass, took a sip of wine and then reached for his hand. He held it and smiled even though dread pounded the air out of his lungs.

“I could rattle off the medical diagnosis of what autism is, but it wouldn’t mean much. It affects each person differently. JD likes routines, changes—even small ones—bother him. He’s extremely anxious and has a hard time making conversation. He memorizes lines from movies or cartoons and uses those to speak. The professionals call it echolalia. I call it amazing that anyone can memorize so many movies and use the lines appropriately.”

She took a deep breath. Mason stared at her, listening intently. The air felt a little heavier, but she knew she had to continue.

“JD has tantrums—I call them meltdowns—when he gets over stimulated. He’s afraid of harmless things like butterflies but then has no real sense of danger. I always have to watch when he gets near a busy street because he forgets to look for cars. Most of the time, he lives within a fantasy world and doesn’t seem to care about what’s happening around him.  JD and my sister Samantha will be here the day after tomorrow. We won’t be alone anymore. Things are going to change. I have no idea how JD will react to you. He might be fine, or he might be terrified.”

She squeezed Mason’s hand tighter.

“JD means everything to me. And you need to know he will always come first because he has to.”

Mason pulled his hand away and then stood. Darkness had fallen. Hands on hips, he looked up at the clear night sky and searched for the Big Dipper. Playing second fiddle to a child irritated his ego like the itchy wool scarves of his childhood his mother had wrapped around his neck on frigid winter mornings.  Again Ellen’s all or nothing attitude made him defensive. He exhaled and then gripped the edge of the table with both hands. Leaning forward, he looked into her eyes. “That’s a lot to take in for a bachelor like me.”

Ellen dropped her gaze.

“I know it is, Mason. And if it’s too much….” She rubbed the cameo between her thumb and index finger. “If you can’t do this, I won’t hold it against you.”

Her graciousness pissed him off.

“Now who’s selling us short?” Mason rebuked. “You don’t think much of me, do you, Ellen?”

Ellen looked up. Stunned eyes studied his face. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I—’’

“I know what you were trying to do,” he snapped and then began to pace the length of the patio. A long silence ensued. Stars dusted the dark sky. The neighborhood void of human voices and the natural singing of birds concentrated the stillness. Mason grabbed his chair, placed it in front of Ellen, and then took her hands.

“It’s not that I don’t like kids. When my nieces and nephews are around, it’s awesome. But that’s not the same thing as being a father, and that’s what you want. I don’t think I have what it takes to be a parent. I’m selfish.”

Ellen’s bottom lip quivered. He needed to reassure her, but he didn’t know how.  He swallowed.

“I’ve never met anyone like you, Ellen. I don’t want to stop seeing you, so all I can tell you is that I’ll try.”

Tears glistened in her eyes. “That’s all I’m asking for, Mason.”

He wondered what kept Ellen going. Whatever it was, it made him feel unworthy. He stood, pulled her up from the chair, and then kissed the top of her head. Releasing the clip holding her hair, it fell down around her shoulders in tender waves. Gently, he nudged her face upward and then kissed her with a long deep kiss, tasting the salt of her tears.

“Don’t cry. Have you forgotten I’m your knight in shining armor?”

“No,” she said with a faint smile. “I’m only hoping you can be JD’s, too.”

CHAPTER fifteen

Ellen stood naked in her closet. Mason watched from the bed as she slipped on a white, terrycloth robe like the kind from a five-star hotel. The past two days had gone by so quickly. The ease in which he’d fallen into this new relationship was so different from his previous attachments. It surprised Mason how comfortable and relaxed Ellen made him feel. It was as if he’d always known her and there had never been a time when he didn’t.

“I’m going to miss sleeping with you tonight.” Ellen said.

“Why can’t I sleep with you tonight?” he asked as he yawned, stretching his arms behind his head.

Ellen walked to the vanity, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. She faced him.

“We’ve already discussed this, remember? I told you my son is coming, and my sister will be spending the night. I hardly think it appropriate for you to sleep here. Unfortunately, things are going to change, Mason, and we’re not going to be alone very often.”

Ellen sat at the edge of the bed.

“Now that I live three hours away from my family, I won’t have a babysitter. Hopefully I’ll meet someone soon that I can trust to babysit JD.”

Why does her sudden prudishness surprise me?
Mason wondered.
It shouldn’t
.  Her mother instinct had obviously kicked in. However appropriate, he didn’t like it. That’s why he never dated women with children. Kids interfered with sex! 

“I know you told me when your son got here you didn’t want me to sleep over, but I thought you’d change your mind.”

Mason sat up and began to rub Ellen’s shoulders. He spoke into her ear.

“I thought after having me between the sheets, it would convince you to let me stay. Besides, I don’t want to sleep alone. John Thomas will miss his Lady Jane,” he sulked.

Ellen turned around and smiled.

“Lady Jane will miss her John Thomas as well.”

“I’ve got an idea. When JD falls asleep, call me and I’ll pick you up. You can sleep at my house and be back before he misses you.”

Mason smiled seductively, thinking his flawless plan would make Ellen see the error of her ways. 

“No!”

“Why not?” Mason asked, bewildered by Ellen’s staunchness.

“Because it’s not the kind of example I want to set for my son, autism or not. And it certainly isn’t fair to expect my sister to watch JD so I can sneak off for a midnight tryst.”

Mason forced a smile, trying to hide his annoyance.

“In what century exactly, were you raised, Ellen?”

Mason took her hands

“It’s not a big deal anymore, darlin’ for a single mom to have her boyfriend spend the night. I don’t think JD will be scarred for life.”

Ellen sighed and then pulled her hands away.

“I don’t want to leave him. This is the longest JD and I have ever been apart. You and I are going to have to suck it up and sleep alone.”

Ellen stood.

“And you’ve got to go soon. I’d rather you not be here when JD arrives. I’ve got to have a chance to tell him about us before he meets you.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed.

Ellen could see that she’d offended him. Perhaps she should have said something sooner, but she hadn’t wanted to spoil their brief time alone. The newness of their relationship made it fragile and Mason hadn’t seemed too keen on meeting JD, so she had postponed this revelation until the very end.

“Now you don’t want me here even in the day?” Mason’s voice rose as he spoke.

“I didn’t say that. I want you to be here. Come an hour or so after JD arrives. Around five-thirty and have dinner with us? That will give me plenty of time to show JD the house and prep him before he meets you. He’s less likely to get upset.”

“And what about me? What if these plans of yours upset me?”

Mason whipped back the covers and then jumped out of the bed.

“It’s bullshit that you have to prep your ten-year-old son before he sees me!”

Mason snatched his jeans off the floor.

“What am I, some kind of freak? I’m not going to take an ax after the kid, Ellen.”

“It’s not your appearance I’m worried about, Mason. It’s JD!  This isn’t about you.” Angered and panicked by Mason’s reaction, Ellen tried to explain. “Once you’ve been around JD you’ll understand. Don’t be angry, Mason.”

“I’m not angry!” he snapped.

Grabbing his shirt, he dressed quickly. Sitting at the foot of the bed, he pulled on his boots and finally looked at Ellen. His volatile blue eyes, clenched jaw, and dark scowl intensified her apprehension. Ellen couldn’t understand why he was acting so childish.  

“I’ll go home! I wouldn’t want to be in the way or mess with your kid’s head!”

Mason stood.

“You know, Ellen, if you don’t want me here, say so. I’ll stay away!”

His threatening ultimatum made it clear he wasn’t only referring to this afternoon. Ellen swallowed. Mason had promised he’d try, but like the few before him, he was ready to bolt. 

“Don’t be like this, Mason.”

She went to him. “I didn’t say you were in the way… I--”

“I know what you said!”

He grabbed his jacket. Muttering to himself he stormed from the room. “I should have stayed with Desi.”

Ellen listened to his boots thud down the hallway and down the stairs, and then to the front door slamming. A Harley revved then faded away. She stood alone in the crushing silence. Numbed by anger and sadness, it took a moment for her to move. Walking like an old woman, she went to the bathroom and turned on the shower. She didn’t know what she was more upset about: Mason’s reaction or the fact that her son had autism. She got into the shower; warm water pelted her back and then the tears came.

***

Ellen and her sister Samantha sat at the patio table in the backyard.  JD stared at puffs of smoke escaping from the grill cover. 6:30 and Mason hadn’t shown or called. Worried and disappointed, Ellen stared at the lone lilac bush.

When Samantha and JD had arrived, it had taken JD a good hour before he would even enter the house. Once inside, he went from room to room picking out all the familiar objects. Pleased JD hadn’t tried to run away, Ellen told him about Mason.  Typical of her son, JD showed no emotion. His reaction to his castle room was equally dispassionate. He named the characters on the wall then sat on the floor and began to look at his books on castles and knights. Ellen took the impassive behavior as a good sign. Her son’s contentment with his new surroundings made Mason’s absence more profound.

“You think he’s ever going to get over his fascination with smoke?” Samantha asked. 

Ellen didn’t reply.

Samantha slammed her hand down on the table. “Why don’t you call him? You look so damned depressed. I feel like going home right now.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ellen forced her attention on Samantha sitting across from her. Auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail, her mouth a severe line, eyes squinted, Samantha’s irritation was evident. Ellen sighed.  “I don’t want to pressure him into coming. Besides, he’s probably with his ex.”

“What makes you think that?” Samantha asked.

Samantha leaned forward. Her eyebrows knit into that look Ellen had seen before. Even though Ellen was the older of the two, Sam was the warrior princess, especially when it came to guys who messed with her big sister’s heart strings. Sam took another sip through the umbrella straw JD insisted she have in her glass.

“Her name came up when he walked out this morning. I think he said it in anger, but he’s not here.”

Ellen shrugged.

“How long has she been his ex?”

Ellen rubbed the bridge of her nose to squelch tears. “Six days.”

“Six days!  You slept with a guy on the rebound?” Incredulous, Samantha scolded, “I can’t believe you of all people would do something that stupid! Not my ‘play it safe’ sister. You don’t do shit like this!”

“Will you please lower your voice?  JD will freak out. You know how frightened he gets when people argue. And yes, you’re right!  I’m a dumbass for getting involved. Mason’s ex is drop dead gorgeous. You should see her body.”

Ellen held her head in her palm. “What if I do call him and Desi answers?”

Ellen bit her thumb nail.  “It was foolish to think he could handle this. He’s never been married and has no kids. To expect him to understand a child with autism is insane.”

Hands on knees, Ellen rolled her head back.

Samantha studied the sorry look on her sister’s face. If she had been Ellen, she probably would’ve done something equally as stupid. Actually, it surprised her Ellen took so long to succumb to her female urges. Nevertheless, the idea of Ellen going for a biker didn’t fit the picture of her older sister, but her undeniable expression and pitiful condition could only mean one thing. “Ellen, you’ve fallen in love, haven’t you?”

Sucking in her bottom lip, Ellen nodded.

Samantha got up and walked over to Ellen. She gave her a big hug, and then stood with her hands on her hips. “I have a great idea! Let’s make the most decadent…calorie-ridden…chocolate dessert ever and then we’ll eat it all in Mason’s honor.”

Ellen frowned. “That’s only going to make us fat, not happy.”

“We’ll be happy while we’re eating it and tomorrow we can take JD swimming and burn it all off.” Samantha’s contagious smile made Ellen acquiesce.

“I’ll go and see what I’ve got in the cupboard,” Ellen said, as she rose. She started for the house, but then turned to her sister.

“Hey…I’ve got it! How about a pan of double fudge brownies?”

Ellen rubbed her hands together like she’d just pulled off the world’s biggest heist.

“Double fudge brownies it is. Go and see if we need to run to the grocery store and I’ll watch JD.”

“Okay!” Ellen smiled. With a lighter heart, she went into the house. Opening the cupboard, she scanned for the necessary ingredients. She froze when she heard the conspicuous roar of several Harleys coming up the road. Closing her eyes, she waited. The sound died in her driveway. Ellen swallowed hard; her knees weakened.

The back door slammed and JD ran into the kitchen crying, “Mommy, where are you?”

His terror-filled eyes jumpstarted Ellen’s mother mode, and she hugged him tight.

“It’s okay; I’m here JD,” she soothed.

“There are strangers in our midst!”

Ellen smiled, kissing the top of his head. “Remember JD I told you about Mason?  It’s probably him and some of his other friends. They aren’t going to harm us.”

“No! We can’t go out there, Mommy.”

JD twirled his hands.

Ellen squatted to eye-level, even though JD looked away.

“JD honey, I know how hard it is for you to meet new people, but now that we have a new house we’re going to have some new friends too. And that’s kinda cool.”

Ellen brushed JD’s bangs back.

“Remember when I took you to swimming lessons and you met Trevor? He was a stranger at the time, but as we got to know him he stopped being a stranger and became our friend.”

Ellen smiled.

“The people outside are strangers to you now, but pretty soon they’ll be your friends, just like Trevor. And guess what else, JD? Mason and his friends kinda look like knights.”

JD briefly met Ellen’s gaze.

Ellen took the small gesture as a good sign and continued. “They have long hair and beards like the knights in your books, but instead of riding horses, they ride motorcycles. Shall we go outside and see?”

“No! Don’t leave me, Mommy!” He clutched the front of her blouse.

Ellen took JD’s hand and led him over to the kitchen table. She sat down and pulled JD close. She glanced up at the clock, reining in her impatience. She rubbed JD’s back.

“JD, you know Aunt Sam and I would never let anyone hurt you, right?”

JD nodded.

“Well, Aunt Sam’s out there by herself and it would be rude for me not to go greet our guests.  I told them what an awesome kid you are, JD, so I’m sure they’d like to meet you. But I tell you what, if you come outside and think it’s too scary, we’ll come back in. What do you say, bambino? ”

“Okay,” JD sniffled.

Ellen gave him a hug and then stood.

“All right, let’s go meet our new friends.”

Ellen started for the door. JD grabbed the back of her blouse and stretched it over his head, as he huddled into her back to hide himself.

Ellen sighed. She thought she had gotten past feeling embarrassed when her son acted out his peculiarities in public, but now she felt terribly self-conscious. She was also irritated that Mason had obviously ignored her when she had explained how difficult it was for JD to meet new people. Forcing a smile, Ellen went outside to welcome her guests. She didn’t miss the startled look in everyone’s eyes as JD tunneled against her.