Brad finished drying the last plate his mother had handwashed and placed it in the cupboard.
“Thanks, sweetie,” his mother said, draining the sink of soapy water.
“No problem.” Brad leaned a hip against the counter. “Hey, Mom?”
“Hmm?” She bent down to return a pot to a cabinet below.
“Why have you been such a pain in the ass all night?”
His mother froze and then straightened. She raised both eyebrows at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“You know what I mean. About Justin. You’ve done your best to get digs in all night.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I know I should have behaved better. But he hurt you.”
“I hurt him.”
“I know.” She filled a tea kettle with water. “Look, you’ve both hurt each other. I just think it would be better for both of you to move past that and go on with your lives.”
“S
