Dinner With Kyle's Mum

Hayley

And now I was on my way to my monthly lunch with Kyle's mom. I call her Mrs Banes, though she insists I call her mother or by her first name Kate.

Strolling inside the restaurant that we always used for our meeting.

Kate stood up when she saw me, I smiled genuinely. I loved spending time with Kate, she was just so bubbly compared to her husband. Henry was cool, but he was a grump, barely tolerated people but he genuinely loves his wife.

"How are you Hayley?" She asked leaning in to air kiss my cheeks.

"I am good.How are you doing?" I replied dropping my bag on the table before taking a seat.

"I've never been better. I recently gained a membership at a new gym." She said excited. 

"What? What happened to your membership at your previous gym?" I saw the profile of the waitress already bringing up our orders.

"My membership expired and I think one of the gym instructors has a crush on me." Her nose wrinkled 

"Well good call." I laughed at that. Kate was in her sixties but she looked younger than her age.

"Well I just needed a change of scenery and well it was really worth it. I mean it's the gym I've always wanted to get in." Kate's smile was wide.

"Yeah the gym you told me has a reservation list as long as River Nile?" I arched my brows.

"Yeah. Like I can't still believe I got in. I was on the waiting list for just one month while some people wait like months to get in." 

"Wow congratulations." I was genuinely happy for her but I felt something was fishy. This had Kyle written all over it. He could be sometimes sweet.

He was one to do stuff like this. I once remembered when he brought all the tickets at the movies just for me and Amber to be able to watch Scream 6 alone.

"Thank you."

"Maybe you can put in a good word for me at Fit Warriors." I teased her.

"It's Fitness Warriors darling. But don't worry, let me know when you are ready." She corrected me politely winking at me.

"So how are my babies?" Kate took a sip from her glass of sparkling water.

"They are both fine. I am thinking of enrolling them into school soon." I revealed.

"Well that's amazing. Kids grow up so fast. Just yesterday they were just little pumpkins and now they will be starting school soon."

"I know." I nodded feeling a little sad.

I was having anxiety. Autumn and Wynter were growing so fast. I finally understand how Mom felt when Joe and I left for college.

Kate sighed looking at the forlorn expression on my face.

"It's okay Hayley. No matter how big they grow they are still going to be your babies." Kate comforted me patting my hand.

"Thank you." I soaked in the comfort from her patting my hand.

We ate in comfortable silence throwing little conversation from time to time when Kate suddenly asked.

"Have you been able to speak to Kyle recently?"

I froze, my spoon was halfway to my mouth.

"Hayley?" Kate looked expectantly at me.

"Umm," I didn't really know how to reply thus question.

"Hayley, don't tell me you guys don't communicate. You are both adults and should be ready to overcome your differences to take care of the kids." Kate scolded me.

If only she knew what had happened between me and Kyle early this week.

But I didn't want to give her any hope that we were very getting back together. 

I know she would love for that to happen.

"If course we do talk." I left it at that.

"Hayley, I know that you have been through so much and I apologize on Kyle's behalf. But you have to at least try and do this for the kids."

"I know Kate." I sighed. This was what I was trying to avoid. I didn't want to discuss my relationship with Kyle especially with his mother. 

But I couldn't lie to her.

"But why can't the two of you just let all this go and come back together." She suggested. She never gives up trying to intercede whenever we meet up. 

Our parents were very disappointed by the news of our separation but I knew it hit both our mothers hard. Kate had been best of friends with my mom since their college days.

"You know why it's not possible. And even if we did come together, it won't solve any existing problems between us." And besides I refused to be a second choice to any man even though I still had feelings for Kyle.

"You mean you will consider it if I link you up with a great therapist. There is the thus friend of mine..." 

"No Kate." I shook my head. I admire her relentless efforts though.

"I just can't understand why he doesn't see that Simone is not right for him. She couldn't even get pregnant when they were together. Why can't he just see this?" I shrugged in response to her rhetorical question.

I just imagine how she will react when she hears about our impending divorce plans and Simone getting married to Kyle.

"I just don't want her around my son. She isn't just right, maybe she is not you." She said with a weak smile.

"It's alright." I was the one comforting her now.

"Joe is coming back to town." I tried lightening the mood.

"Really?" I had always had the suspicion that Joe was Kate's favorite among us. Maybe because of the fact that Joe had always said he wanted to marry Kate when he was five years old then.

She never lets him leave it down when he 

"Yeah. He said he might be transferred back here." I was happy that I was going to see my twin soon.

"That's good. I can't wait to see him." She nodded.

While I went for Interior Design, Joe dove into the medical field. He even confessed to me that he loved the smell of drugs and antiseptic. That they

made feel alive. What a weirdo I had for a brother.

"Me too."