Laurel wasn’t sure why she tapped accept when her mother-in-law’s name came up on her phone. Habit, she supposed.
“Did you know they put a micro-chip into your body when they do TB tests now? I heard about it on that radio show I like, and I looked it up. It’s true.”
“Um hm.” Laurel’s answer was mumbled, but she knew Nancy wasn’t paying attention anyway. Nancy was focused on her own conversation and responses mattered very little.
“Also, the radio show had a whole segment on the Denver airport. It’s a portal to another world with tunnels and stuff, but I’m not sure about that one. I’ve seen articles on Facebook, though. Maybe it is true.”
“Maybe.” Laurel learned years ago not to bother with facts or logic when talking to her husband’s mother.
“Did you know that tap water contains chlorine and fluoride? Other toxins, too. And you know how bad fluoride is? It can actually eat through concrete. I watched a video on the Internet that was really scary, so I need Jimmy to install my new water filter.”
Laurel barely listened, simply along for the ride, the incredibly boring, sometimes nasty, always ridiculous, ride that constituted almost every conversation she had with her mother-in-law. Today, though, Laurel was fine with just drifting, happy to avoid, for a little longer, the ugliness of giving Nancy the bad news.
“I used one of those pitcher filters for awhile, but it was so annoying. I never had enough water when I needed it. You know I’ve been drinking much more water ever since I read an article in Nutrition Now about how 90% of people are dehydrated, and dehydration causes headaches and high cholesterol and other bad stuff. Drinking a lot of water even helps people lose weight. Something you should keep in mind.”
“Good idea.” Normally, Laurel would be at least a little irritated by Nancy’s not so subtle jab at her excess pounds, but after last night, the insult just seemed petty.
“Have you seen the sale ads from Palen’s Department Store? They have some really cute dresses in plus sizes. Maybe you could get something new to look more appealing. Last week Jimmy said he never sees you in anything but raggedy jeans anymore.”
“Okay.” Laurel shrugged off the remarks and walked to the bathroom, forcing herself to look in the mirror. Her left eye was more swollen, now almost completely closed, and a purple bruise shimmered beneath, spreading like a malignant tumor onto her cheekbone. Several thoughts chased each other through her mind, as she searched for a delicate way to tell Nancy that Jimmy was in jail, arrested last night for battery. Or maybe she wouldn’t be so delicate. Why should she be careful with this woman’s feelings? This woman who cared nothing for Laurel, only for her beloved son.
“I called Jimmy’s phone, but he didn’t answer. Do you know where he is?”
Now was her opportunity, but before Laurel could speak, Nancy interrupted.
“I studied different kinds of filters, and I bought that reverse osmosis system. It goes under the sink, with its own faucet, so I can get as much out as I need. And, I really need a lot right now. Not drinking enough water is terrible for you. Headaches and stuff, but also it can lead to really bad things, things like heart disease and cancer.”
Nancy’s voice lowered on her last word, the whisper catching Laurel’s attention more effectively than a scream. She decided to check. “Nancy, is something wrong?”
“Wrong? No … well, not really, just, um.” Nancy stumbled over her words. “I need Jimmy to install the filter. Once I drink more water, I think I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Laurel pushed her. “Are you worried about cancer?”
“Worried? Well, no, not really.” Nancy quit talking and Laurel decided to be quiet and wait her out. “Okay, well, I guess I can let you know, but don’t tell Jimmy yet, please. I don’t want him to worry.”
“I won’t tell him. I promise.” Laurel almost laughed. After an arrest for domestic violence, state law ordered no contact between the parties. Her promise wasn’t the only thing that would keep Laurel from telling Jimmy his mother’s secret.
“I have a lump in my breast, just a little, bitty, tiny one, but they said it’s cancer, and I have to have surgery.” Nancy drew a deep, shuddering breath. “So you can see why it’s important that I have the filter right away. I have to start drinking more water and it has to be clean water, no toxins. I know drinking a lot of water will help me get better faster.”
Laurel closed the toilet lid and sat heavily, resting her forehead on the sink, soothed for a moment by the coolness of the porcelain against her skin.
“So where is Jimmy? I really need to talk to him about the water filter. Not about the other, though. I don’t want to upset him. He doesn’t need to know that stuff.”
Laurel started to speak, planning to recite a sanitized version of last night, when she realized she didn’t have to tell Nancy a single thing. Jimmy would be out on bond today. They’d give him back his phone. Since there was a no contact order in place, he couldn’t come home. With nowhere else to turn, Jimmy would run to Mama. Let him explain. He could say whatever he wanted. Laurel didn’t care.
“Sorry, Nancy, I need to go. Jimmy will be stopping by your place in a couple hours. You can tell him all about your water filter then.” Laurel ended the call without waiting for a response and turned off her phone. Mean? Maybe. But she was done. She never had to talk to Nancy again. Laurel stood, looked in the mirror once more, and was surprised to see tears on her cheeks.
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author bio:
Alice Benson discovered writing as a passion in the third act of her life and spends much of her time in pursuit of metaphors. Alice works in a human services field; previously she spent over thirteen years working with a domestic violence program. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications and her first novel, Her Life is Showing, is set in a domestic violence shelter and was published by Black Rose Writing.
This story’s featured image is by Eduardo Sánchez, and can be found on Unsplash.