Highest Bidder (Salacious Players’ Club)

Daisy

Nine years ago

“Daisy,” my dad calls from the bottom of the stairs, “your mom’s here!”

I hear their muffled voices talking as I jump up from the spot on my bed, where I was watching an old episode of Judge Judy. In a rush, I grab my backpack from on top of the bed and barrel out the door of my room and down the stairs.

The moment I spot my mom standing on the welcome mat, the first time I’ve laid eyes on her in six weeks, I can tell something is different. She’s tanner than normal, for one thing. But she’s also wearing an expression of immense relief when she sees me.

I sprint through the foyer, past my dad, and slam into her, wrapping my arms around her as she engulfs me in a tight hug. She squeezes the life out of me, nearly lifting me off my feet, although I’m just as tall as her now.

“Daisy Moon, I missed you!” She squeals in my ear.

For the first time all summer, I feel at ease. I love my dad and I like spending summers with him, but I hate being away from my mom. There’s no one else on earth that I can talk to so easily. I love my friends, but I doubt I’ll ever meet anyone who makes things as effortless as she does.

It was always like this with us. Like we shared the same soul. She could yell at me one minute and then laugh with me the next. My dad tries to be as comfortable with me as she is, but it always feels forced, so I figure she and I are just special.

“Did you have a good trip?” I ask after finally pulling away.

One of her arms remains around my shoulders, squeezing me as she nods. “California is hot, and the beach was nice, but I missed my girl.”

“I missed you too.” I wrap her in another hug.

“Why don’t you say goodbye to your dad, and then you and I can go school shopping. We need to get you ready for middle school.”

“Can we go eat at Hanson’s too?” I ask with excitement. It’s her favorite burger place, so I know she won’t say no.

“Of course,” she replies.

After I give my dad a hug, and my parents say their goodbyes to each other, my mom and I pile into her old car and pull onto the main street toward the mall.

“So, why were you gone so long?” I ask, plugging my phone into the charger in her car and cueing up the playlist I’ve been listening to all summer.

A soft smile curls on her lips. “I made some friends, and since you were with your dad, I just decided to stay.”

“What kind of friends? A boyfriend?” I tease her, and she lets out a loud belly laugh.

I’ve missed that laugh.

“That is none of your business, Daisy. Besides, what good would a boyfriend in California do?”

“I bet the boyfriends there are better than the boyfriends here,” I say, turning up my nose as I think of all of my friends’ dads. There’s not a single man in town I could imagine with my mom. They’re all old and boring.

“I’m not getting a boyfriend!” she says with a laugh.

“Okay, good,” I reply, just as my favorite song comes on. I quickly turn the radio up and we sing along together.

“Did you write more songs this summer?” she asks, raising her voice over the music.

I answer with a shrug. “A couple, but they’re not any good.”

“Bullshit,” she snaps. “I bet they’re total hits.”

I laugh and roll my eyes. “The only trip I’ve taken all summer was the two nights Dad took me to that old amusement park two hours away. I have nothing exciting to write about.”

“Daisy Moon,” my mother barks. “You could write a song about burgers and milkshakes, and it would be perfect.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re my mom,” I argue.

“I did not come back from California to hear you talk badly about my favorite songwriter. As soon as we get home, you’re playing me those new songs.”

My eyes widen as I let out a giggle. “Geez, okay.”

When we pull into the parking lot at Hanson’s, I glance over and notice that my mom looks happier than when she left. I can’t imagine why anyone would be so happy to be back here instead of California.

Before we get out of the car, I glance over at her. “You know, if you do get a boyfriend, that’s okay with me. I won’t be mad.”

Her eyebrows pinch together as she turns toward me. “What makes you say that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Don’t you want to get married again?”

She takes my hands in hers as she leans closer. “If I happen to meet someone, then sure. I’d get married again. But I don’t need to. A man isn’t responsible for making you happy, Daisy. I love my life the way it is right now. I’ve got you.”

Then she presses her forehead to mine, and I start to feel my throat get tight.

“I missed you,” I whisper.

Her eyes start to get teary as she replies, “I missed you too.”

“Next time you go to California, you have to take me, though.”

With a laugh, she pulls away and quickly wipes her eyes. “I don’t plan on going back, but if I do, I’ll definitely take you with me.”

“Okay, good.”

“But they don’t have Hanson’s in California. I couldn’t find a single good burger the entire time I was there.”

“Seriously?” I reply.

“Seriously. Nothing would make me happier than a big double cheeseburger with onion rings and a milkshake.”

“Race you,” I say as I jump out of the car. She doesn’t even take the time to lock it as we both sprint toward the front door of the burger joint, laughing hysterically as we step inside.

We’re still breathless as we order, my arms still wrapped around her waist. It was the longest summer ever, but at least it’s over. She’s home, and everything feels right again.