The Straight Crimes (21 page)

“No, it’s severely understated. It’s got to be what, a measly thirty-five hundred square feet?” she scoffed. “Do you plan to stay here?”

“Of course,” Andrea retorted.

“Wow, you’re officially certifiable, Mother.” Traci placed her unfeeling hands on Andrea’s soft, exposed shoulders. “Listen to me. This is a mistake. You’re going to get hurt by her all over again—”

“Listen—”

“No, I’m done listening.” Traci began pushing Andrea up the stairs. “You’ve carried on with this foolish masquerade long enough. It’s time to cut your losses. Jaslene doesn’t love you, and you are not putting either of us through that train wreck of a lifestyle again. Now let’s pack your things and get home so you can regain your wits.”

“Traci Jessica Galva, stop right now and listen to me.” Andrea pointed her shaking finger in her face while forcing her down the stairs into the foyer. “Sit down.”

“I will not.”

“Yes you will, you’re out of line and I won’t have it. I’m your mother, now sit.” Growing agitated at Traci’s resistance, Andrea pushed her into a chair. “Listen to me. This move has nothing to do with Jaslene—”

“Bull—”

“Stop insinuating such things—”

“Then why the hell would you want to move to Port Vista of all places?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you since you walked in here. Will you shut up for a minute so I can speak?”

Traci glared at her mother and folded her arms. “Well go on then. I can hardly wait to hear this debacle.”

Andrea’s fears washed over, causing an undeniable knot to twist inside her stomach. She swallowed and renounced all uncertainty. “This move was necessary for me to have what I want for myself. As you’re well aware, I haven’t had the best track record in the romance department.”

Traci rolled her eyes.

“But I met someone last year.”

“What?”

“It’s true.”

“And you’re just now telling me?”

“Traci, give me a minute to explain.”

She huffed. “Another reason I’m over you.”

“Because of certain limitations, we’ve had to keep our relationship a secret.”

“Why?”

“There are several reasons—”

“Like, what? Spit them out.”

“At the time we met, this person was married, but it was a very abusive situation. We had to keep things discreet, especially because their spouse was an alcoholic—”

“What ridiculousness—I can’t even believe what I’m hearing. You mean to tell me you’re an adulteress now?”

“I wouldn’t say that...”

“I’m looking at you and all I can think is ‘who the hell is this woman standing in front of me?’ I don’t even know you. Where’s your class, Mother? You’ve turned into a common whore.”

“No, I’m not—”

“C’mon! They were married—”

“They were unhappily married. You have no idea how badly we needed each other.”

“So you ran away from everything?”

“It was nearly impossible to keep our relationship a secret. We needed somewhere we could be together.”

“So you guys decided to destroy her family, abandon me, and lie about it? And what, now you want me to support your idiotic delusions?”

“You’ve got it wrong—”

“No, I don’t think so,” Traci stood up and raised her voice. “Mother, you need serious help. Splitting up a family, stealing a woman from her wife and family, and lying to your only daughter about being out of the country is completely insane. Not only are you crazy, you’re a slut.”

Andrea slapped Traci across the face. “Don’t you dare call me that ever again.”

“Why not? That’s exactly what you are—”

“No she isn’t!” Patrick shouted as he walked into the foyer. “You shouldn’t speak to her like that.”

“Who’s this, more help?”

Andrea raced to Patrick’s side and wrapped her arm around him.

Traci stared them down with heat that burned greater than the flames of hell. “What’s going on here?”

“This is Patrick Roberts, my boyfriend. And this is our home.”

“What?” Traci couldn’t hide her disapproval. “But you’re a man.”

“That’s right.”

She looked at Andrea in disillusion. “Mother, you’re joking.”

“Of course not.”

“No, this isn’t happening. You date women like Jaslene Porter. You can’t be serious.”

“Traci, it’s true—”

“But that’d mean you’re straight.”

“I am.”

Traci paused a moment before bursting into laughter. She nearly fell over, crying and cackling hysterically.

“Traci, are you okay?”

She tried to control her raucous banter. “Oh my God, you got me.”

“What?”

“You can stop. I swear, Mother, I’m not used to you being such a prankster.” She looked back to Patrick. “Now go fetch us a drink.”

“You’re being incredibly rude, Traci, and I won’t tolerate it. This isn’t a joke. Pat and I are dating.”

Her amusement faded quickly. “No, you’re not.”

“Yes, we are. You’re gonna have to accept it.”

“You’re really serious?”

“Yes, darling.”

“This is just a phase, some kind of midlife crisis. C’mon, you’re Andrea Galva. Women swoon over you. You couldn’t possibly love a man.”

“Trust me, I do, and he loves me.”

Traci put her head down. Then she took a deep drag off her cigarette and paced back and forth.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m going to be sick. Look me straight in the eye, Mother, and tell me again that you are what you just said you are.”

“It doesn’t bear repeating. You heard me the first time, TJ.”

“I know this can be hard to digest.” Patrick reached out and touched Traci.

She immediately brushed him off. “Get your hand off my shoulder. You’re nothing to me.”

Andrea stepped between them. “Traci!”

“Andi, it’s okay,” He put his hand out and stopped her.

She ignored him. “You’re acting so ignorant. It’s not like we’re the only straight people in the world.”

“I don’t care. It’s wrong. This whole arrangement is an abomination, and you both should be ashamed of yourselves. Not just for this perverted relationship, but for your selfish behavior.”

“Don’t you dare chastise me!” Andrea yelled.

“Why not? You’re a liar.” Traci turned her attention to Patrick and scowled. “And you’re a cheater. You threw your family away like trash.”

“I would never do that. Things died between Jett and I long before Andrea came along. Besides, I fully intend on bringing my son, Nik, here within the next year. He’s almost eighteen. By then, he can choose to leave freely and Jett won’t be able to seek legal action against me.”

“You’re really bringing your child into this charade?”

“TJ.” Andrea pulled her by the arm.

“Wait.” Traci put her finger to her lip. “Did you say Jett?”

“Yeah...”

“Isn’t he the guy who helped renovate the salon?”

“Yes.”

“That’s how all of this started. I remember you stopping by to see Jett. That’s how the two of you met, isn’t it?”

Andrea bit her lip nervously, confirming the allegation.

Patrick stepped towards Traci. “I wish you would try to understand—”

“You’re almost as delusional as my mother. I will never support this. I want nothing to do with either of you.”

She folded her arms. “You don’t mean that. You’re just upset right now.”

“How many people know about you two?”

“No one.”

Traci sni
ckered. “So what, is your handyman blind or something?”

“He signed a confidentiality agreement for us,” she assured her.

“Is that because you’re embarrassed?”

“Of course not.”

“You must pay him well for his silence. A scandal like this would bring shame to everyone involved. I certainly don’t want my name associated with this disgusting arrangement.”

Andrea clenched her jaw in frustration. “Stop speaking to us like that. And not that it’s any of your business, but he’s paid sufficiently.”

“I know what you think is ‘sufficient’. That won’t be enough to buy his silence. Besides, I believe you’ve misplaced your trust in him.” Traci smirked.

“How so?”

“I saw him handling a large sum of money when I pulled up. As soon as he saw me, he immediately stuffed the wad into his pocket. I think he’s stealing from you.”

“That’s absurd.”

“Oh you’re right. I’m sure it’s customary for a handyman to carry around hundred dollar bills,” she mocked sarcastically.

“He wouldn’t take anything from us,” Patrick added.

“Even though he signed your confidentiality agreement, he knows you have something to hide. You really think a piece of paper is going to keep a low-life opportunist away from blackmailing you? He’s gonna bleed you dry.”

“We’ve taken the necessary precautions to keep this from getting to Jett or anyone else right now. As for our staff, I don’t believe a word you’re saying. He’d never betray us.”

“I guess you know him better than I do, Mother. Maybe you made the best choice coming here. Being in Port Vista means no one has to deal with this, including me. Nobody will ever have to know.”

“Eventually we will tell people, after enough time has passed,” Andrea insisted.

“No.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“People don’t need to know that you’re straight. It’s an embarrassment.”

“No, your ignorant, childish behavior is an embarrassment. I’m ashamed that Pat has to see such immature behavior from the daughter I raised. It’s clearly not a reflection of the values I’ve instilled in you. You say you don’t know me, but clearly I don’t know you.”

“Good, I don’t want to know this side of you, and I certainly don’t want to know him. Your selfish needs are more important than your families. So you win. You get each other, but I don’t want any part of this.” Traci grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.

“TJ, get back here. You don’t mean that.”

“Of course I do. I don’t have a mother. You don’t exist in my world anymore—you’re as good as dead.”

Andrea’s eyes began to water. “No, don’t say that. I need you.”

“Then leave right now and forget all of this.”

“I can’t do that, and you know it. Don’t you see how much this hurts? I love Pat with everything inside of me, and he feels the same way.”
             

“Then do whatever the hell
you want. I’m going home. Goodbye.”

Andrea pulled on Traci in desperation. “You mean you’re going back to my home?”

“It was our home, but you left. So I guess it’s my home now.”

“Good. Then I’ll call the bank on Monday and draw up the paperwork to have you assume the mortgage payments.”

“I can’t afford that.”

“Right, not without my money. I guess I’ll have to call my realtor and have the property listed instead.”

“Sure, like you’d really do that.”

“Why not? It’s my house.”

“You’d really put me out?”

“Sure, why not?” Andrea sneered.

“Great, now you’re gonna blackmail me. You’re being completely ridiculous right now.”

“Now you know how it feels.”

“Andi—” Patrick interjected.

“Back off Pat, I can handle my kid.”

“You’d really put me out of my own home?”

“You’re twenty-six, Traci. Surely by now you can figure out how to make it on your own.”

“Mother.”

“Maybe next time you’ll be more careful before opening your mouth.”

Traci tore through the door. As she did, she turned back to her mother and hissed, “I’d tell you to go to Hell, but thanks to your lifestyle choices, you’ll already be going there. You think you’re happy now, but once this fizzles, you’ll have nothing. Enjoy your empty life.” She stormed out.

Andrea leaned against the wall, crying uncontrollably as she fell to the floor.

Patrick knelt down beside her. “Andi, it’s okay. This will blow over. You guys didn’t mean what you said.”

“I didn’t, but she did. She meant every word. And that scares me more than anything. I’ve lost my baby girl forever.”

Traci raced down the stairs, wiping away tears of frustration. She wouldn’t look back at the house. All she wanted to do was get far away from Port Vista.

As she reached the garage, she noticed the handyman bent over a gallon of paint.

“You really work here?” she asked.  

“That depends. Who wants to know?”

“I’m Traci Galva, Andrea’s daughter.”

“Ah, I see the resemblance. Yeah, I work here.”

“So, is it true?”