WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW...
This is a story that is intend to be a part of a series grouped under MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS. Each story will be independent. The stories will ultimately cover a range of genre. These will be stories of one chapter which is different from my previous efforts as a writer. I hope you enjoy them.
This story is an interracial story.
This is a story about a mother, Abby Ordman and her daughter, Barb. Abby is 43 and Barb is 20. Both women have trim bodies and brunette hair that is wavy and falls just past the shoulders. Barb's breasts are slightly larger than her mom's, but both are well proportioned. The two look shockingly alike, more like sisters despite the age difference. Barb has been away to college and has just finished her sophomore year. The college is local, though, about 30 miles on the other side of the city. Barb had been struggling in her classwork the initial semester, partly due to the long drive each way, parking hassles at a largely commuter college, and the newness of college classes versus high school. She finally accepted her mom's suggestion to give dormitory life a try to eliminate some of the distraction and tension. A major addition to tension for both Abby and Barb was Barb's father who shortly after Barb moved out, divorced her mom.
After receiving the divorce papers, Abby hired an attorney who uncovered an affair by her husband. The attorney also uncovered several financial accounts that had been clumsily separated and hidden. Her husband's affair, it seemed, had been going on for several years. He had already made several major purchases with and for this other woman and they planned to marry as soon as the divorce was settled. These discoveries would put a major wrinkle in his plans.
Abby's attorney was successful in not only locating several financial accounts and detailing the illicit affair, but found medical records of the woman to indicate she was pregnant by her husband. The divorce took much of a year, though the husband assumed Abby would be clueless and he would be gone with a large portion of his wealth. That turned around quickly. Abby not only took the house clear of mortgage, but also his two most prized vehicles, an SUV and sedan. The house sat on an acre of private land in a "nice" part of the city suburbs. The house was 3,000 square feet, much too big for only her, with a pool, and three-car garage. She also "made off", as she thought of it, with much of his wealth. She hired a wealth manager and didn't have to worry about working or Barb's college, again.
Abby felt betrayed, abandoned, and alone after the divorce, though. She was frequently depressed by the betrayal and at a loss when she tried to think about the future.
* * * *
MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS: ABBY & BARB
"Mom?!?" Barb yelled it into the house as she and her boyfriend, Ty, bumped through the front door with arms full of boxes. "I know she's here because I told her I'd be coming today and the door is unlocked."
"I can't believe the sized of this house, Barb." Barb and Ty met near the beginning of Barb's sophomore year and this was the first time she had brought him to her mom's home. "I swear, I think this place could fit almost two of my folks' houses."
Barb dropped her box, still wondering where her mom was. "Yeah, well, my dad was an asshole, but an asshole who was really good with money."
From above them, they heard, "Well, that was before he decided to divorce me. Not that I hold any ill-will against him." Almost lost with a much-softened voice, "I hope that slut he married walks out on him."
Abby had joined them in the foyer. Barb was shaking her head at Abby's last comment. "Oh, come now, girl. Saying that is much better than hoping he rots in hell."
"Mother!" Changing the subject, "You remember, Ty?"
"Of course, I remember Ty." She gave him a hug, then her daughter. "I had to drive up to campus and take you two out to dinner to meet him, but... hey, I'm just mom." Barb raised her arm as if to swat at her and Abby put up her hands in self-defense. "Take a joke, honey." She looked at Ty and asked, "How much more is there?"
Ty rolled his eyes, "Women... seriously, I have no idea how this much stuff came out of that dorm room." Barb looked like she was going to hit Ty, now. Ty and Abby laughed but Barb picked up her box and huffed as she took the stairs. Ty shrugged and followed.
Abby watched the two of them and smiled. Barb was such a sweet girl and she hated that one of the first things coming out of her mouth was her divorce. Somehow, she needed to get past that. Ty, short for Tyrel, is a very handsome black man a year older than her daughter. After knowing each other for less than a year, Abby had the feeling Ty was very good for her daughter. At least, that was what she saw in her daughter's eyes when she was around him.
She promised herself right then, she would find a way to be better. She would find a way to change her life in a way that would be amazing for herself and her daughter. Barb deserved so much more from her. She would find a way to give it to her, to be the support and encouragement she deserved.
After several weeks of being home, Barb's concern for her mom hadn't eased. She found her listless and unfocused. She remembered another woman, the mother who was so active in her life without being overbearing or controlling. She always had room to move and discover, largely because of the relationship they shared; her mom had that kind of trust in her. Barb missed that woman. She wanted desperately to have that woman back in her life. But she also realized that her mom needed to be that woman again for her own good, so she could move on and find the measure of happiness and contentment, and fulfillment she deserved.
Barb finally dragged Abby out for an evening with her and Ty. She didn't give her an alternative, insisting that she needed to get out and enjoy herself for at least a few hours. Ty met them at one of their favorite bars where they could talk if they wanted or dance to the DJ music provided. They sat in a booth with Abby sitting on one side. Abby's impressions of Ty were reinforced watching the two of them. The young couple quickly fell into an easy, comfortable banter about friends, school, and the summer. Ty was staying on campus during the summer as he had part-time positions at the Student Union and tutoring in Economics.
The two had danced several times until Barb convinced Ty to ask Abby. With some reluctance, Abby accepted the offer. It had been years, a lot of years since she had danced last, but Ty promised to pick slower songs for her. Shyly, she accepted. The first dance was an early classic rock song she remembered but couldn't name.