Graham droned on about how sorry he was--babbling monotonously about the conference's unexpected extension and how he was just as disappointed as she was that it had happened; again. However, Mia Marlow had become indifferent to all his usual bullshit at this point in their marriage. This conference was the fifth of the year to suffer the same fate. "It was only the second of June," she thought. Surely he realises he's pushing his luck?
Mia was not an unreasonable woman. She knew it was well within the realm of possibility for a conference extension to occur. Business deals needed finalising; these conferences were the perfect forum. Mia had always known how vital Graham's work was to him. She'd seen him grow his company from a three-staff closet in a strip mall to a multi-state entity on the Dow Jones. However, this was the latest in a long list of conferences her husband had attended, resulting in Mia receiving the same phone call. Most people would shrug it off and say, "it is what it is" unfortunately for Mia, she knew the truth. And that made it all the more annoying.
Mia had known to expect her husband's call. Around midday on the second day, like clockwork, Graham would call from the conference with the 'unfortunate' news. Graham could sell sand to the nomads of the Sahara. He was a slick, intelligent man who could think on his feet. However, when it came to this, Graham had become terribly predictable. After hearing the speech many times, Mia learned to preempt what he would say word-for-word. "Hi, Honey. Listen. There are some massive players at this thing. We're making some great progress and want to keep the conversation going, you know. So, we've decided to stay until mid-next week, Wednesday or maybe Thursday. You don't mind, do you? When I get back, I'll take you out someplace nice. Maybe a little bit of shopping; what do you say?"
Mia's reply had become automatic. "Sure, Graham, whatever you think is best." Like a child granted a few extra hours of playtime, Graham never listened to his wife's response, passed hearing that it was okay. He'd be happy to hang up the call and set about enjoying the extra couple of days away. If that's all it was, Mia wouldn't have minded. Mia understood; work hard to play hard. Except, since bumping into Bernie at the local store two years ago, she knew there was more to it.
Bernie was a nice middle-aged man who had worked with Graham for over ten years. Bernie wasn't in Graham's league regarding sales, but he was still one of the more senior players in the company, and the pair would travel the world together, cementing deals left and right. Bernie would play the kindly face cajoling clients, while Graham would swoop in and make the sale when they were ready. And that particular weekend wasn't any different. Graham called early in the morning to relay the sad news that he would have to stay for a few nights. Mia, the ever-faithful wife, was disappointed but supportive. Deciding to spend her evening watching television with a bottle of wine and some takeout, she was in the car park outside the Chinese when she bumped into Bernie.
Bernie recounted the weekend's events that led to him standing in front of Mia at that very moment. As it turned out, the organisers had called the conference off early due to poor attendance. Graham, Sandra and Bernie were all set to leave late on Saturday evening. However, only one seat remained, so Graham and Sandra had to wait for a later departure. Bernie even remarked about the standard of air travel these days. "The flight was almost empty too. I don't know how they make their money."
Once at home, Mia gave her conversation with Bernie little thought, half expecting Graham to walk through the door to surprise her, but he didn't. Waking on Sunday morning, Graham was still not home. Mia decided to call the hotel only to be told, "Sorry, you just missed them. Mr and Mrs Marlow have just left for their picnic. Would you like to leave a message?"
At first, Mia denied it as a fallacy, sure she was jumping to conclusions. She called Bernie again, inventing a story about tax returns and expenses. She asked about half a dozen previous conferences where Bernie had accompanied Graham. Mia held out hope for different outcomes. But after the fourth time hearing, "Yeah, Sandra told me there were no flights", or "Graham tried but just couldn't get extra seats for him and Sandra", or something similar, Mia resigned herself to the inevitable; Graham was cheating on her and had been for years.
"Honey? Honey?" Mia didn't answer. She just put the receiver down and continued staring out the window at the curious blue sedan that had just pulled into the driveway.
The two tall, broad-shouldered men clambered out and stretched. It had been a long day's drive, and they were both stiff and uncomfortable but glad to be at their final destination.
The blonde flicked his hair off his face and rolled his head from side to side, waiting for the inevitable and satisfying click of his vertebrae. The other, a brunette with short-cropped hair, proceeded to curl and uncurl his legs, trying to wake them up from hours of sedimentary driving.
"Cameron," The blonde said, "pop the trunk."
Cameron reached down to the steering column and pulled the release. The latch thunked, and the trunk bounced open. "Grab mine too. I best go and see...."
"Cameron!" The boy barely managed to straighten himself before an excited Mia flung herself at him. Cameron caught her in mid-air. She wrapped her legs around her son like a teenage girl welcoming her boyfriend home. Mia began to slip, and without warning, Cameron placed a hand on her backside to stay her descent.
"H--Hey, Mom," Cameron muttered through his mother's onslaught of kisses. Mia stopped momentarily and stared into her son's deep blue eyes before realising the position her over-exuberance had put her in. Releasing her legs and allowing herself to drop down to her feet, she blushed. Burying her head into Cameron's chest, she began to cry.
Not knowing what to do and feeling slightly embarrassed in front of his friend, Cameron pulled his mother close and hugged her tight. It wasn't long before Mia stifled her tears and looked at her startled son. "Cameron, I'm so sorry baby, it's just--it's." Mia didn't complete the sentence but pulled Cameron into another big hug, this time placing her cheek against his chest. She opened her eyes and stood there tightly wrapped in his arms. The tall blonde boy smiled at her politely, standing to the side with his hands behind his back.
"Hi, Mrs Marlow. I'm Brody. Cam and I play Varsity together." Brody quickly dropped his bag and reached out his hand. "I hope you don't mind. My folks are in Europe, and Cam said it would be okay."
Mia released her hug and looked up at Cameron, then back at Brody and back to Cameron. "I'm sorry, Mom. I wanted to surprise you, not upset you."
Mia's cheeks flushed red once more, and she hugged Cameron again. "Oh, Cameron, you didn't upset me. It was just so nice to see you and today of all days."
"Today of all days?" Cameron said as Mia pulled back again.
