He didn’t feel better, but it was good to know Evelyn had his back. “Don’t say anything to the staff,” he said. “I don’t want them to worry while I find a buyer.”
“I won’t.” Her voice sounded thick. “I wish there was another way.”
Seb did too. But there wasn’t, and it was past time he accepted it.
Chapter 21
Jade looked at Lydia but didn’t move closer to her bed. She barely recognized the frail, sallow-complected woman, her face and abdomen swollen. Her former blazing red hair that had always been chemically enhanced from a drugstore box was a dull, yellowy orange. Her eyes were closed, and Jade didn’t know if she was sleeping or...
The lump in her throat grew. During her childhood, she’d witnessed Lydia in various states of health, mostly bad ones. But even when she was using and drinking herself to oblivion, she hadn’t looked as bad as she did now. Reality slammed into her.Mom is dying.
Lydia’s eyes opened, and as if she sensed someone in the room, she turned her head. “Who’s there?”
Jade clasped her shaking hands. She could still leave. Lydia didn’t know she was here, and she’d tell Logan not to say anything to her. He and Tameka had taken their coffees and gone to the waiting area. Jade appreciated their respect of her privacy, but it might be for nothing.
“I know someone’s there,” she said weakly. “Come on in.”
She stepped from the shadows and neared the bed.
Lydia’s eyes widened. “Jade? Is that you?”
All she could do was nod.
Her mother smiled. Jade noticed she was missing some teeth— sone on the top and two on the bottom. From drugs? Liver failure? It just added to her pitiful appearance. She took a couple steps forward, still keeping her distance.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She kept her gaze on Jade’s as if she had never seen her before. “Did Logan talk to you?”
“Yes.”
“He’s a great kid. It’s so fortunate we met.” Her eyes shifted to the seat by her bed. “Do you want to sit down?”
No.She wanted to leave, but not because she was angry. Not anymore. It was hard to be mad at someone who was suffering. All she felt was compassion, and she didn’t want that feeling. Not where Lydia was concerned.
“Or you can stand.” Lydia managed a faint smile. “I’m just glad to see you. I wish it was under better circumstances.” Her voice was breathy too, as if she were struggling to fill her lungs with air.
Jade looked at the wires coming from different places on her body, hooked up to several machines. She had no idea what they were for—just that they were probably keeping her alive somehow.
“I guess Logan told you about my liver. I pickled it, Jade. All this”—she lifted her hand slightly, revealing the white cords attached—“is my doing.”
That was the first time she’d heard her mother take responsibility for anything without blaming someone else.
“There’s still some hope,” Lydia continued. “I’m first on the list now, according to the nurse who was in here a few minutes ago.”She stopped speaking and licked her lips. “Never thought I’d have to wait for someone to die so I could live.”
Jade’s hand went to her aching heart. She sat down on the chair, fighting tears.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Lydia sighed. “I’ve done enough of that. And I don’t want our visit to be sad.”
Was she serious? “You’re dying, Mom. How is that not sad?”
“I’m still here. And I want to get to know you again. Tell me what you’ve been doing in Atlanta. How’s your job? Are you married?”
“No,” she said, shifting in her chair. “I’m not married.”
“Well, I’m sure a pretty woman like you will find a nice man soon enough.”
She already had. And because of her decisions, she lost him... twice.
Jade answered her questions, and Lydia told her about how she’d landed in rehab after falling off the wagon. “I’d been sober for six years,” she said.
