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Audra's Rory: A Short Story

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Audra devoted the next week to repairing her relationship with Rory, while Maxen focused on establishing one. While worth the effort, it was exhausting. Rory’s moods were labile, swinging from excitement to anger with the snap of a finger, and he vacillated between anger and acceptance. Sometimes, he was evasive, then clingy. All this was to be expected, since Rory was adjusting to a new reality, but that did not make the process any easier. Throughout it all, Maxen remained as patient as a priest. He never said a cross word, regardless of how much disdain Rory expressed, and there was plenty of it. Audra and Maxen slept in different bedchambers at night, targeting their energy on Rory, not discussing their wedding, which would occur in less …show more content…

“Hardly. I feel like nothing is good enough when it comes to Rory. That I can never make amends. He seems to be leagues away from forgiveness or acceptance. I don’t know how much more I can stand.” “I wanted to talk to you about that this morning.” He rubbed his warm hand up and down her arm. “I want to take Rory on a hunt overnight. Just the two of us.” Audra lifted her brows. “What do you think that’ll accomplish?” “I ask you to trust me on this. It’s something he needs. Man-to-man time.” A sliver of shame pierced Audra, because this offer brought on such feelings of relief. She needed a day away from her son to relax, regroup, and do something other than contend with Rory’s pain. Perhaps it made her a terrible mother, but this break sounded delightful. “How are you dealing with this so well, Maxen?” “I am in an entirely different position. Remember, I just learned I have a son and am giddy about it. You’ve been the one to manage every aspect of Rory’s upbringing so fat. This is all new and exciting for me.” “When will you take him?” “This morning. As soon as he’s ready.” “Do you think he’ll agree to go?” “I am certain of it.” …show more content…

“I miss them.” “I supposed that means we should dress and return to our regular lives,” said Una with a jocular scowl. The women helped one another dress, and right after, Une and Faye returned to their husbands and children. Audra pulled her chaise up to the hearth, then sat, nursing a mug of warm cider. Whatever emotional state Rory returned in, Audra would handle it, now that she’d had the opportunity to relax with her ladies. Friendship was clearly effective medicine. Content drowsy from her bath and cider, Audra sat back and re-read the lengthy letter Geraint had sent her last week, talking about his and Rhan’s trip to Marseille, where they had spent a wonderful month strolling along the powdery sand and drinking in the beauty of the azure sea. As always, the letter concluded with an open invitation to visit, something Audra never felt she had the time to do. But if she maintained that attitude, that she was too busy, at one point, she might turn around to find she was an old woman and that life had slipped her by. Distracted by the daydream of a stroll along the Mediterranean Sea, Audra stared into the hearth, when the sudden clomp of boots behind her made her

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