Waiting for Mr. Darcy by Chamein Canton Read Free Book Online Page A

have to make anything special for me, Mom.” He put his arm around her and they began walking to the kitchen.
    â€œI didn’t. I just happened to have the ingredients in the house.”
    â€œIf you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you,” Harrison piped in.
    â€œHey, Mr. H.” They hugged. “I guess Mom had you running to the store.”
    â€œYes, but I was happy to do it. You know your mom loves to spoil you.”
    â€œAhem. I am still in the room.”
    â€œWe know, Mom.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m glad I didn’t eat breakfast.” He rubbed his stomach.
    â€œNow you know you shouldn’t skip breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day.”
    â€œI know, Mom. But I was in a hurry this morning.”
    â€œI’ll let it go this time.”
    Lunch was already on the table when they walked into the dining room. Alicia was tickled to have Kurt home and even more tickled that he had a second and third helping of jambalaya.
    Finally full, Kurt pushed his plate away. “I think I’ve had enough.”
    â€œAre you sure, sweetie? I made a ton.”
    â€œShe’s not kidding,” Harrison said as he sipped his soda.
    â€œI’ll take some home with me. I know Sally loves Creole-style food.”
    Alicia’s good feeling deflated slightly but she tried to cover with a grin. “Oh, sure. How is Sally?”
    â€œShe’s good, Mom.”
    â€œStill working in Garden City?”
    â€œYes, Mom.” Kurt knew that tone all too well. “She’s still not going back to school.”
    â€œDid I say anything?” She tried to sound innocent.
    â€œYou don’t have to, Mom. I’m your child, remember.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œShe’s happy working in her firm, and I support her decision, just like she supports my decision to go to grad school.”
    Harrison got up to clear the table to escape the line of fire.
    â€œOkay, Kurt, you made your point.”
    â€œThank you. So how are you feeling, Mom?”
    â€œI’m good. I did laps in the pool this morning.”
    â€œGreat. What happened on your last visit to the neurologist?”
    Alicia was surprised he knew of her visit. “Harrison!”
    â€œDon’t blame him, Mom. I’m your son. I want to know, and I should know what’s going on with you.”
    â€œEverything is fine. He started me on Avonex. It’s only one injection a week as opposed to the others, which were every other day and every day. This fits into my life a little better.”
    He winced. “You have to give yourself a shot? Are you okay with that?”
    â€œYes. The nurse showed me how to do it.”
    â€œAre there any side effects?”
    â€œThey say I might have flu-like symptoms for a couple of days, but so far I’ve been fine.”
    â€œWhat about stress and working too much?”
    â€œGood grief, Kurt, are you asking questions or interrogating me?”
    â€œI want to know. Did he tell you to take it easy?”
    Kurt knew his mother was a workaholic.
    â€œI’m on hiatus for the next eight weeks. I promise I’ll relax.”
    â€œAnd let Taylor Dawes do her job as managing editor of your magazine, right?”
    â€œOf course.” She crossed her fingers under the table.
    â€œDid you hear that, Mr. H?”
    â€œYes, I did.”
    â€œI have a witness and I’m going to hold you to that.”
    â€œFine,” she grumbled.
    â€œI want you to relax and have some fun, Mom. Maybe even go out on a date.”
    â€œA date?”
    â€œYes, Mom. In case you don’t remember, a date is where a man asks you out and you go and have a good time together.”
    â€œDon’t be a smart ass. I know what a date is.”
    â€œWhen’s the last time you went on a date?”
    â€œWhat kind of question is that to ask your mother?”
    â€œIt’s a fair question.