I reached for a glass, filled it with water, and cleared my throat.
“It’s nothing, Mom.” I took a big drink. “I’m just helping in Danny’s class for the business fundraiser.”
“Oh, yeah…nothing.” She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Getting Christmas trees, texting, and oh, I don’t know…sitting together at the Christmas performance, staring at each other.” She shrugged. “Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
What?“How did you…” My forehead creased, and I tried to remember the performance. I looked at the ceiling and sighed. I’d totally forgotten that Mom had agreed last minute to come. I was so wrapped up in trying to get Danny to even go.
“Mom, why didn’t you come say hi if you were at the performance?” I scowled at her. Of course, Mom came to watch Danny sing, and then she slipped out unnoticed when she thought I might be having a romantic moment.
She waved me off. “Oh, you seemed a little distracted, and I didn’t want to be a bother.” She nodded over to the worn kitchen table, and I followed her and sat.
“You’re not a bother.” I shook my head. “But, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill either.”
“Oh, I’m not. I’m just stating what’s plain as day. I saw how you looked at her, and you were smiling.” Her shoulders softened. “I haven’t seen you smile at a woman like that since you moved back.”
I rested my head in my hands. “Don’t meddle.”
“I’m not. Just asking you how you feel about her.”
I leaned back in my chair. “I don’t know how I feel.” I rubbed my hand down my face. “On one hand, I have enough drama without adding a woman into the mix. I don’t want to confuse Danny or hurt him more.” I looked out the window to see him rolling a ball around in the snow. “Plus, I’m not sure I could ever trust another woman with my heart or with Danny.”
It was a hopeless cause.
“And if that wasn’t enough, she is Danny’s teacher. This town has enough gossip about my failed marriage. Can you imagine if I started dating his teacher?”
Did I want to be more than friends with Faith? Did she wantto be more than friends with me? Her words sometimes said no, but the chemistry between us said something different.
Mom waited patiently. “And…” She motioned for me to continue.
“And what?” I held out my hands and shook my head.
“Well, I’m assuming those are the cons, right? What are the pros?” Mom repeated the gesture.
I grabbed the salt shaker off the table. “Fine.” I sighed in defeat. “Faith is kind, humble, and so patient with Danny…and with me. She has shown she is everything Cassie isn’t.” I raised my right shoulder. “And I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Mom reached across the table and put her hand on top of mine.
“Mom, it’s nothing serious. Don’t go planning things that won’t happen.”
Mom lifted her eyebrows. “Oh, I’m not. Relationships are tricky. Sprinkle in kids and work drama and it probably feels impossible.”
I nodded but eyed her skeptically. There was no way she was leaving things like that.
“But…”
Yep, I knew it.
She shrugged. “Impossible happens far more often than the word suggests.” She tapped the table. “If you actually try for it.”
I rolled my eyes. I had better change the subject before Mom launched into either a Bible lesson or wedding plans. I tapped my head. “Have you ever heard the word neurodivergent?”
Mom tipped her chin to the side. “Neuro what?”
I looked to the ceiling trying to remember it all. “Faith was talking to me about it the other day regarding Danny.”
Mom’s lips pulled down in a frown. “What does that mean?”
I could see the fight enter her eyes. Like mother,like son, I guess.
