Shout

Chapter Thirty Four - Mama Grizzly

My mother and I sat next to each other on plush white chairs at the country club. I took a sip of my iced tea, my nerves beating a mile a minute. I looked at my mom who sat in grey work pants and a white blouse - generally the outfit she wore for closing deals. She was on her phone, probably replying to work emails, a glass of champagne sitting on the table untouched. I could hear the clacking of her manicured nails with every letter she typed.

I felt comforted for once at having her sitting next to me. I couldn't imagine dealing with this on my own. I tried to absorb some of her confident energy, sitting a little straighter in the process.

"Clarissa!" June approached our table wearing a fitted, sleeveless green polyester dress. Chunky jewelry hung from both of her wrists. Behind her towed both Aaron, who I expected, and Tim, who I did not. I adjusted my cardigan a little tighter around my tank top, wishing I was wearing a poofy, padded winter jacket at the moment. Anything to hide more skin from this man. 

"June, darling," My mom stood up to air kiss June.

Tim approached after his wife, giving my mom a quick kiss on the cheek, "Good to see you, Clarissa."

"You too, Tim," she responded curtly. I had given my mom a brief overview of the happenings that night at her house, but a downplayed version of my meeting with Tim. She didn't say much, but I could see the layer of anger that burned behind her eyes. She had no tolerance for men assaulting girls. She had enough personal experience to last her a lifetime.

I remained seated, but Tim still bent down to give me a lingering kiss on the cheek, his hand met my shoulder and subtly massaged it using his fingers, "Olivia, looking as beautiful as ever."

My mother cleared her throat, "Why don't you sit down, Tim?"

He shot her a look that showed his surprise before nodding and taking a seat. My mom had always been a great business partner of Tim's. There used to be a lot of mutual respect for their ruthless business minds. 

"I'm hoping we're here for a celebration," June looked at me expectantly. She snapped her fingers to call for the waiter and ordered a mimosa for herself.

"Actually, June, I've asked you all here because I wanted you all to know that I will not be marrying you son. Aaron cheated on me. He broke up with me and I've moved on. I realized finally, that I can do so much more without him." My tone was confident and to the point and I felt proud of that.

June looked at me in disbelief, "Olivia, this family can offer you so much. You really need to think about this. The world will be your oyster with us by your side."

I ignored June and looked at Aaron, "How dare you propose to me publicly after I had already turned you down? Let's not forget that you cheated on me. You were the one who left our relationship and when you're not happy with your new on you think you can teeter back to me? You really thought I was that weak?"

Aaron looked down in seeming shame. Good. June was gaping at me, "Clarissa, you couldn't have known what this meeting was about?"

She grinned at her, "Actually, I did, June." 

Tim's sharp, beady eyes narrowed at me, "Are we forgetting about our conversation on the balcony, little Olivia?" 

A shot him a glare, "You will not touch me again, Tim. That much I'm certain of."

I braced myself before my mother surprisingly responded, "I would love to hear all about that conversation, Tim," She began smiling at him in such a way that I could see all of her teeth. It was menacing, "Would you like to repeat what you said or did to my daughter for me to hear?" Silence radiated off of Tim, "Pity. You can be sure that any business between us is now null and void."

June stood up abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone in the country club. She gave a nervous smile to the people sitting around her before glaring at my mom, "I think we're done here." She grabbed her purse. 

"Ah, if you could just hold on for one second there, June." My mom said putting a finger up and checking her phone. I looked at her in confusion. This wasn't part of the plan. 

"Aaron, you rotten piece of shit!" Heather came storming into the country club and I looked at my mom for a moment as she smiled at me gleefully. What was Heather doing here? 

"Ah, here we go," My mom grinned evilly. 

"Uh, Heather, babe! What are you doing here?" Aaron asked in absolute terror. I could see a trickle of sweat from at the side of his head. 

"What am I doing here?" She yelled while June winced, taking a look at everyone around us who were now listening in to our conversation with avid joy, "You mean, what is your fiancée doing here as you propose to another girl?" 

Aaron jumped up, "Shh, babe. I swear, it wasn't my idea. My dad said I couldn't take over the firm if I didn't marry her!" He tried to grab her arms but she slapped him in the face. The sound echoed all around us. June looked absolutely livid. I couldn't stop the small smile that graced my lips. It was a satisfying slap. 

"So, what I was going to be your side wife while you married another girl?" She shouted even louder as Aaron winced. 

Tim interrupted, "Heather, you're a fun girl, but Aaron has to think of his future. You're not what's best for him." 

Heather looked at Tim scathingly, "I'm not what's best for him? I'm not good enough for him? Is that from Aaron and my history or yours and mine Tim?" 

I think the entire country club erupted in gasps at the accusation, myself included, "Heather! Please keep your voice down!" Tim pleaded. 

"Is that what you were saying when you were telling a sixteen year old girl that she was made for you? That your wife meant nothing to you? That you would marry me?" She shrieked. 

Tim's eyes darted to June quickly before scanning the rest of the tables, which were shamelessly listening in. Some even had their phones out. Aaron's mouth was gaping wide open in disbelief. 

"I-Well- I swear, June, I have no idea what she's talking about. She's clearly unhinged. This is yet another reason as to why Aaron can't marry her." Tim let out a nervous chuckle, looked at June pleadingly. Her glare could have cut glass at that moment. 

"We're done." June snapped, lips clamped. She stepped away from the table and gave a nervous smile to the crowd that had now formed around us before quickly scampering out of the country club. 

"One more thing, Aaron." She ripped a ring off of her finger and threw it at his chest angrily. He clutched the thing in his hand, looking lost for words, "We're done. And Tim," She turned to Tim who looked beyond livid, "You harass myself or Olivia again and I'm reporting you." 

Tim stood up, his chair falling back before he walked out with Aaron trailing at his tail. Heather remained standing, her chest heaving. She looked at us and nodded at me before turning and walking out herself. I was left looking at the back of a girl who had proved not quite as terrible as I had originally thought. Maybe she was just as flawed as the rest of us with a bit more baggage on her shoulders. 

"Thank you, Heather!" My mom called after her, picking up her glass of champagne in one hand and taking a quick sip. 

"Mom," I began in awe, "Are you kind of a badass?"