I can't believe Mr Darcy cock blocked me last night. A thought I never expected to have.

I was day dreaming about Wren, for the hundredth time this morning.

I'm driving down to Eugene, with Veda in the passenger seat and Josephine in the back. It appeared that wherever Veda was, Josephine followed, and vice versa. I had called Teddy and Harper and explained that I had intended to bring Jo home, but had been begged not too, by both of our teens. Harper said it was fine, since she didn't have baseball or any homework this weekend, but to bring her back Sunday for dinner.

"So, Moira, is she okay with us crashing hers for the weekend" Veda asked, swiping aimlessly on her phone.

I tapped the steering wheel lightly, and wrinkled my nose slightly "She would be... if I had given her the heads up"

"Millie" Veda said accusingly, looking up from her phone, a rarity.

"It's fine" I promise "I just didn't want to give her time to hide anything"

"Hide what" Veda asked curiously.

Josephine's ears pricked up, and she placed her book down on her lap "My interest is piqued" she announced.

I looked in the rear view to see Josephine looking back at me. She looked so much like Harper today, if she had been a red head she would have been all her Mama. Allie had Dutch braided her hair the afternoon before, and she and Veda looked cute.

"You two are becoming quite the pair aren't you" i muse, looking from Josephine to Veda and back again.

"Give us the tea" Veda asked "Spill"

We were now ten minutes from my Mothers, just enough time to explain to the teens what had transpired with my Mother and Avery. I wasn't going to tell them, but then I realised if Avery was there it would be a little awkward, since Josephine knew her as an aunty. I had left Portland super early, and I told everyone it was so that we could spend more time with my Mother, but the truth was, that I wanted to catch her out, red handed. My Mother wouldn't be forward about telling me about a new relationship, but if I caught Avery at the house there was no way she could explain it without being honest. I was helping her rip off the band aid, but also I was just being a nosey daughter who was intrigued to poke around in her Mothers business.

Wren had left early too, she was having her first back to college training day with the team. She was a week later than the rest and would have to play catch up for a couple weeks. She would though, my babe was incredible.

"So, Aunty Ave and your Mom might be dating?" Josephine questioned.

I nodded, and checked back into the rear view "it seems so"

Veda picked back up her phone and began to type away quickly. "I'm just googling whether lesbianism is hereditary" she said, not looking up from the phone.

I laughed a little and looked to her amused. "Are you concerned" I poked.

"No, but there's clearly something in the water on the west coast. I've never known so many queer people in my life" she returned.

"I think there's totally a gene" Josephine added from the backseat.

Veda turned in her seat, finally looking away from her Google search, to Josephine instead. "You do" she asked her.

Josephine nodded, sure of herself "oh absolutely. But I hope they never discover it"

Veda looked confused "why"

Josephine looked to her "because they will try and eradicate it. I don't know if it's escaped your attention V but the country is going backward. The government, the politicians, the people in charge... ugh..." she says disgusted "it's still a Cess pit of homophobia, sexism, racism, and a bunch of backward folk using religion to justify their hatred"

Veda bites back like she had taken offence "I know a bit about that Jo. If it's not escaped your attention. I'm black. I've got a little used to being judged for something I can't control. I don't disagree with you, it's scary out there. I bet they would try and get rid of it. What they fear and don't understand... they want to snuff out. You know that it was only in nineteen sixty seven that the Supreme Court finally decided to make interracial marriage legal... that wasn't that long ago Jo"

We are turning into my Mothers road then, and they seem heated for no reason.

Josephine looks red in the cheeks "I didn't mean to offend you V"

"You didn't" Veda snaps back.

I didn't know where that went wrong, but I presumed it was Josephine's tone, as if Veda didn't understand her family's battle with homophobia. Perhaps Josephine took offence first with Vedas comment about queer folk, but now they were both a little rattled.

I pulled up to my Mothers drive, and cut the engine, turning to face them both "Girls. I don't think either of you need take offence to healthy conversation. You both made valid points. We learn from each other, it's a beautiful thing, don't fall out over it"

They both ignored me, and each other. Jesus, this was about to be a hormonal weekend, of teen drama. What was I meant to do with them?!

Josephine pointed out of the window toward my Mothers house then "That's Aunty Averys Corvette" she observed.

Veda and I both looked, sure enough behind my Mothers classic Red convertible, was another classic, a baby blue Corvette. The driveway looked like the start of a classic car convention.

"Nice" Veda noted "Avery's ride is pimped"

"It is, nice" I admire, taking the keys and exiting my car, which I had purposefully parked over my Moms driveway to make Avery's exit a little trickier.

I peeked back in before closing the door "wait here a moment. Let me check all is okay"

"No, I don't wanna miss anything" Veda argued.

I pointed at her "Sit" I demanded. Then I pointed at Josephine, her eyes widened as I did "you too" I added.

I wiggled my finger between them both "You two are going to sit and talk. Hash this out. I'm not spending an entire weekend with you two being mad at each other over something that takes two minutes to fix. It was just a misunderstanding, I'm sure, on both of your parts. When you've made friends again come and knock the front door" I ordered, and I backed out and slammed the door, leaving them both with arms crossed and maddened looks on their faces.

As I walked slowly up the drive, I glanced back, they were already talking, thank goodness. I remembered for a second how female friendships can be fractious at that age, and I didn't envy them having to be fifteen, and going through all those hormones and feelings. It was a lot! Kate did well to put up with me. Mind you, Kate had always been sunshine.

Talking of Kate, I should catch her up. I got to the porch and sat on the bench, not hearing any noise inside. I didn't think they were up yet, which meant only one thing, because my mother was always up with the sun.

Eeww

I dialled Kate, and held my phone to my ear. It clicked after three seconds or so "Mills" came Kates sleepy voice.

I crossed one leg over the other and relaxed into the bench "Are you still in bed" I ask surprised.

She sounded like she rolled over and got up "hang on" she whispered.

I heard a door open and close and she came back on the line "sorry, had to escape a dreamy man's arms"

I smiled "Kai is in your bed Katherine" I accuse jovially.

"He is. Uff that man is delicious" she whispered.

"You sound a little in like with him"

"I am. I'm in more than like with him. Mills the time that man put into me last night" she said dreamily.

"I bet he put a lot into you last night" I joked.

She laughed out loud, and then must have smothered herself, the laugh snubbed out. "He spent an hour on foreplay Mills. An hour. Before he even got any himself. A dream"

"A lesbian" I retort.

"If Kai's a lesbian... slap a rainbow on my ass and call me queer. Sign me the heck up to this" she replied with a smile to her tone. "I've never had so many orgasms in one night" she revealed.

"TMI" I interject.

"Talking of TMI. Do you think Avery stayed at your Mothers last night" she asked.

I looked down the driveway to the cars and nodded "She did" I confirmed "it seems every date last night ended in a bed. Every date but mine" I say, slumping back in the seat.

"How do you know she slept there" Kate asked "and weren't you and Wren going slow"

"Yes, we are going slow. We are both intent on that... but nobody gave our urges the memo. She almost had me on the porch" I confess.

"Oooh porch sex" Kate mused "why, almost?" she questioned "Did Norman interrupt"

"No, Allie and Willa's dog Mr Darcy" I explain "he decided it was a perfect night to throw up"

"Mr Darcy" Kate giggled "I love that name. I have to meet him next time I'm over"

"And the reason I know Avery stayed over ... is because I'm sat at the scene of the crime, the porch, looking at two cars in my mothers drive. Two cars with condensation on the windows, and cold engines"

"You're in town" Kate accused "and you didn't collect me on the way over. I don't want to miss this... Moria's face when she sees you and has to admit to having a girl over... oh I'm coming over. Don't you dare knock that door. Go back to your car and wait for me"

"Kate you have Kai in your bed" I remind her.

"So, he can stay there. Hang fire. I'm grabbing a hoody and driving over" and she cut off the call.

I looked at my blank phone and sighed "looks like this is about to resemble a drugs bust"

I texted Wren whilst I waited.

M- Morning babe, I'm in Eugene already. I can confirm Avery's car is in the drive! The eagle has landed, I repeat, the eagle has landed. 😬 Good luck at training today :) You will absolutely kill it. I must say, I'm looking forward to watching you play again 😉 How I love those legs of yours...

M- that was more sexual than expected. Apologies. What I *meant* to say was "I love you" 💘 So much! I can't wait to see you later, I'm planning on making some dinner at my Moms, and would love you to join. Josephine is with me, and I know she would love to see you too :)

W- Baby, you made me blush. ☺️ I'm here too, about to get changed. I would love dinner. Let me know a time and I'll be there. I just have to drop my things at the apartment. Clark says the apartment is great, Alex says it's a dive, and Fin said it's fine. I've no idea which one is telling the truth. Wait and see. I wish I was there to see Avery and Moria's face when you catch them out. Love you so much Mill x

M- I know. Waiting on Kate before I knock. Can't wait to hear all about the apartment. Text you later with details on dinner, if my Mother hasn't run us back out of town 😜👹

***

Kate arrived, practically screeching to a halt at the end of my my Mothers driveway. Veda and Josie stood beside me, leaning on my car, as Kate vacated hers and rounded it to stand in front of us.

She looked hyped up. "Morning crew, are we ready to bust open the crypt" she said excitedly.

"What if they're like, in bed" Josephine asked with a screwed up face.

"We aren't going upstairs guys" I explain "We are going to sit and wait downstairs like a group of creepers until they come down"

"What if they come down naked" Veda asked.

Valid point.

Kate and I looked at each other for the answer.

"We knock" Kate suggests.

"That gives her time to make up a story" I argue "the whole point of this little jump we have on her, is that she won't have time to cover up the crime"

"You guys are so weird" Veda accused "for grown women you sure act like teenagers"

Kate and I looked to her, offended.

"I don't see you sitting this one out" Kate pointed out "you are just as weird as us MJ"

Josephine smiled "I like weird"

"Fine" Veda gave in "what's the plan"

"Kate and I go in first... just in case there's any naked time happening. We will let you guys in when all is PG thirteen"

Veda looked liked she was about to argue, but Josephine brushed her hand and pointed up to the wooden bench "we can sit outside and wait. We haven't finished our chat"

Veda seemed to look at her a little unsure, and then she gave in "fine"

"If Anyone should escape a window... the chase is on you guys" I pointed out. "Don't let anyone leave this driveway"

"We got it" Veda confirmed.

Kate and I left them sat on the bench, and I unlocked the front door with the spare key.

The house was quiet, the old clock ticked loudly in the parlour. Kate pointed to the wooden staircase, there were items of clothing discarded on the stairs, in a trail, that I imagine ended at my Mothers bedroom door.

"It's giving ... third date" Kate mused.

"It's giving ... scarred for life" I retort.

I gestured to the family room, and we noted the wine glasses on the table between the couch and fireplace. Red wine was still present. Red lipstick stained the wine glass that Kate currently lifted from the table by its stem, she inspected it and widened her eyes at me "Momma Dawson got a little drunk last night"

I shook the empty bottle "she did indeed"

Kate and I moved through to the dining room, there on the dining table was a photo album laid out beside a bowl of half eaten popcorn.

"What do we have here" Kate mused, her finger tips dancing over the cover before I reached down and opened it up. The large front cover that said "Memories" in gold print cracked open. This album hadn't been opened a lot, the pages weren't dog eared or well loved, and the album pages were stiff.

The first few pages were photos of my Mother at college, her achievements, and then her graduation picture. She had me on her hip, holding me with one hand, her diploma in the other. I didn't think I'd ever seen that one. She really did it all. I felt immense pride when I looked at that photo. I made a mental note to get a copy of it for my house. It should be on a wall somewhere being displayed.

Kate smiled as she looked at it "look at you... so cute. How old are you here" she asked.

"I don't know. A toddler though clearly. I honestly don't know how she did it, look after a little one and graduate college... alone"

"Me neither" Kate mused, and she turned the page.

We both leant in instantly, fingers touching the next set of photos. Kate pointed at the picture that had made our mouths drop open. "Is that Avery and Moira"

I shook my head, to say no, it couldn't be, but the more I looked at that photo the clearer it was. Kate turned the page again, and she was there on the next page too. A picture of my Mother and Avery by a basketball court.

"They already know each other" I whispered.

The sounds of the staircase creaking as someone descended, made Kate and I look to each other, like burglars who had been caught out on the rob.

"Shit" I whisper, closing the album.

"What do we do" Kate asked.

Too late.

My Mother appeared in the doorway, her black silk robe was tied at her waist, hands on hips "You explain what you're doing in my house is what you do...Katherine" and then she poised her unimpressed gaze on me "Millicent"

Shit.

So many Question's.

Curiosity did indeed, kill the cat.