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of marriage until you divorce Mama?”
    Planting the seeds of guilt.
    “What are you talking about? Who said anything about marriage ?”
    This is an opportunity I don’t intend to let slip by. “Well, I mean—Casey and I have talked before, you know? Girl talk sort’ve things and she shared with me stuff about her divorce, and that she wants to get married again. In fact, she asked about your status with Mama. That very first day I met her she asked about that, so I guess that’s why I mentioned marriage.”
    “Hmmph,” is all he manages.
    “But really, don’t you think it’s time you ended the marriage? I mean, what’s the point in staying married to someone that’s gone—deserted all of us the way she did?”
    “Let’s not sway from the subject,” he replies, looking at me with those piercing eyes of his. “I think it might be a good idea if you apologize to Casey so she doesn’t feel quite so . . . uncomfortable about the situation.”
    “Sure. No problem.”
    He gives me a smile now, glad that I’m so acquiescent to his request. He continues to evade the obvious though. Why hasn’t he divorced Mama?
    “Thanks, September. I appreciate it and I know that she will too.”
    My phone rings. It’s Austin.
    “Hi Austin,” I gush, getting up from the table to show Jesse I need some privacy.
    Perfect timing.

Chapter 6
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    I’m just putting the finishing touches on my make-up; having dressed in a really tight, really short jean skirt, with a clingy white summer camisole with a built-in push-up bra. My toned legs are smooth and glowing from the exfoliation I did this afternoon in the tub, along with the bikini wax that I was a bit over-do for.
    I’d gone over to Casey’s around noon, asking her if she had a couple of minutes to talk. She came out onto the porch, rubbing her bare arms, and I could see how uncomfortable she was.
    “Listen,” I said, “I’m really, really sorry about last night.” I explained to her the same thing I had explained to Jesse.
    “I had every intention of ringing the bell, but well—I was kinda caught off-guard when I got to the steps and then heard those . . . noises coming from your open window. I seriously thought someone was in pain or being tortured and I guess I wanted to make sure that nothing was wrong, you know? You hear so much about home invasions and that sort of thing . . . so I was simply trying to play it safe. Be cautious in case I observed a crime in process and needed to call the authorities.”
    I watched as Casey’s face turned several shades of pink as I explained my rationale for window peeping to her.
    “I totally understand,” she murmured, not wanting to belabor the topic.
    “So, am I forgiven?” I asked coyly.
    “Oh honey, I was never mad at you—just embarrassed and of course, a little concerned that you might be upset or angry or something. You know all I want to do is make your step-daddy happy, right?”
    “I get it,” I assured her. “In fact, I told him just this morning that he needs to stop dragging his feet with getting a divorce. I mean it’s been years since our mother left, and I expect he’d like to get married again. It’s perfectly natural that he wants a woman in his life, and I think you’re perfect for him.”
    “Really?”
    “Oh yeah. I mean what my mom did was just plain wrong! Jesse deserves better than that and I can tell that you’re in no way anything like our mother.”
    “What did Jesse say?” she asked, totally curious now.
    “He said that up until he met you, he’s not wanted to have a relationship and that he really cares about you,” I replied with a big grin. “I mean I can tell that you make him totally happy.”
    “Really?” she repeated again, not hiding her enthusiasm.
    “Yep. But here’s the thing. Jesse works so many hours that he’s finding it kind of difficult to find the time to track my mother down, so that he can find out where she’s living and start the divorce