As we get closer to my apartment, hunger starts to gnaw at my stomach.“So what should we eat?”
“What are you in the mood for?”he asks, turning onto my street.
“You pick,” I say generously.“I’m feeling magnanimous.”
“Pizza,” he says automatically.“Double cheese.And more cheese for toppings.”
“So just a heart-attack pizza.”
He gives me a grin.“Yes, please.”
I take out my phone to place the order, but as we pull up to my building, my eyes lift to the front of the building and my stomach drops like a stone.
I immediately slouch in my seat, phone all but forgotten.
“Eve?”Caleb gives me a confused look.
“My mother is there,” I whisper, horrified.“What is she doing here?”
“Your mother?”Caleb peers towards the building, and he must have seen her because he looks down at me.“Oh, crap.What do you want to do?I can turn the car around.We can go to my place if you don’t want to see her.”
I consider it.The offer is very tempting, but when I look up, she’s leaning against the pillar and she looks worn out.How long has she been waiting for me?She must know I get off at five.Has she been waiting since?I check my phone but there are no calls from her.
“I —” I hesitate.“I should go see what she wants.”
“I’ll come with you,” Caleb says quickly, but I shake my head.
“No.”My eyes meet his.“Go to your place tonight.I don’t know why she’s here but I doubt she’s here for a brief conversation.”
“Are you sure?”He looks worried.
I give him a firm smile.“I can handle her.Go home.Let me know when you get there.”I lean over to kiss him before I lose my resolve, and then hop out of the car with my bag.“See you tomorrow.”
He looks like he doesn’t want to leave me here alone, but after a few minutes, he drives off reluctantly.Taking a deep breath, I make my way towards her.My mother stands near the glass doors, her familiar silhouette backlit by the lobby lights.She’s wearing her good coat—the navy one she saves for special occasions.A large bag sits at her feet.
“Mamá?”
She turns at my voice, and I catch the relief that flickers across her face before her expression becomes unreadable.
“What are you doing here?”I stare at her, wondering if I’m imagining things.
“I wanted to see you.”She looks uncertain.
“Why?”
The bluntness of my question makes her chin lift slightly.“Can’t a mother visit her daughter?”
However, her voice wavers, the lack of confidence more than obvious, and it tells me that she’s not sure whether or not she’ll be welcome.
An incredulous laugh escapes me.“Since when?Didn’t you swear never to set foot in my home?You’ve never once visited me.”
Her expression tightens.“Eve?—”
“Is everything okay?”I ask, suddenly worried despite everything.“Are you sick?Is something wrong?”
“No.Nothing’s wrong.I just wanted to see you.”
“You wanted to see me?”I climb up the steps to come stand before her.“You hate me.Why would you want to come see me?”
