"We met at the hospital," I told her.
"Is this the same boy who invited you to that author signing?" she asked, still devoid of emotion.
I'd almost forgotten the lie I'd told her. I told so many, it was hard to keep track. Nathan was probably right, I should be more honest with my parents.
At least this was a good start.
I hoped.
"Yes, that's him," I replied. "He was visiting someone and we got to talking."
"I see," she repeated, as if those were the only words she could bring herself to say.
"I really like him," I said. "And he likes me."
"Does he know?" she asked.
"About my heart defect? Yes, I told him. He was worried, obviously, but he took it very well."
She shook her head. "Not just about your condition. Does he know everything? Does he understand?"
I hesitated.
I'd told Nathan a lot. He understood what I'd gone through. He understood how hard it had been for me.
But I hadn't told him everything.
He didn't know what my parents had gone through. He didn't know my mom had to quit her job to take care of me. He didn't know my dad used every spare moment to research everything he could about my heart problem. Nathan didn't realize they had spent every minute of my childhood wondering if my heart would stop in my chest, wondering if today was the day their little girl would die. He didn't realize what they'd given up for me.
He didn't realize the burden I'd placed on my loved ones.
I still hadn't answered my mom.
"I don't think you seeing this boy is a good idea," my mom said.
"Mom…"
I had known she wouldn't take it well.
"Don't you remember what happened the last time?" she said. "We didn't think that boy was right for you, and look what he did."
"I know."
"He left you the instant he realized how hard it was going to be for him if he was with you."
"I know!" I cried. "Nathan's not like that. I'm sure he would understand. His mom—"
"Does he realize he might have to drop everything at a moment's notice if something goes wrong?" she continued. "Does he realize how it might impact his job, his life?"
I forced down the outburst waiting to explode from my mouth.
"Even if he says he likes you now, he's going to leave you eventually," my mom said matter-of-factly. "He's going to hurt you."
Exactly what Jessie had warned me about.
"You don't know that," I replied, but my voice wavered.
"You're special, Becca," my mom said. "You need a lot of care."
