“I’m listening.”
“My whole family used to be close. I’m an only child, and my parents had me in their forties. My mom always wanted kids, but I’m the only one they had. Since I was kind of a miracle baby to them, they poured a lot of love on me. They were pretty protective, and they always knew where I was and what I was doing. After college, I was in the Marine Corps when my dad passed away, and two years later I resigned my commission and came home. Mom and I have stayed close. She’s always been there for me, and I love her. We can talk about anything. Or at least, we used to be able to.”
He grew quiet, and she waited.
“But now she’s got this new guy, Jerome, she’s been keeping from me. My cousin saw her kissing him in public.”
He sounded outraged, so she smothered a smile. Good for his mom for finding romance at her age.
“And you know, I’ve been the one taking her to doctors’ appointments and grocery shopping and anything else she needs.”
“Is she that bad off?”
“What? Oh, no. She was in a car accident years ago and hasn’t driven since, not in ten years. My dad used to take her everywhere; now she walks, takes the bus or taxi, or goes shopping with friends. But normally I’m the guy she leans on. Except I’m not anymore.” He looked baffled.
“It’s got to be hard with her moving on. I take it she hasn’t dated anyone since your dad passed?”
He shook his head. “I’ve thought about it. I’m not jealous or feeling replaced by Jerome. I can’t say I don’t worry about this man I’ve never met, but I don’t begrudge my mom happiness.”
Evan was so sweet.
“I just don’t understand why she’s pulling away so hard. I mean, can’t we at least talk about it? She keeps not going to treatment.”
“What’s wrong with her, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“She might have cancer.” He swallowed. “It’s not definite, and we’re waiting on her results to come back. But she has a lot of the same symptoms my fiancée had.”
She did her best not to visibly react. “Your fiancée had cancer?”
He nodded. “Rita passed away two years ago. I loved her, and she got sick. She ignored her symptoms for way too long, and then it was too late.” He didn’t look teary-eyed or overly emotional, but his eyes were sad when he said, “Rita was amazing. You would have liked her.” He laughed. “She would have fit right in with you, Lila, and Rachel.
“I don’t think my mom realizes how bad the disease can be. She saw me with Rita, and she helped a lot, but I tried to shield her from the worst of it. Rita didn’t want anyone to see her when it got bad. She didn’t even want me there, but hey, I wasn’t going anywhere.”
He paused, meeting her gaze. “I didn’t mean to tell you all that.”
“I’m a good listener.” She winked, and he smiled back at her. “But it does help to get a fuller picture. Your mom and you were always close. You’re an only child. You talk and share things. Then she gets sick, starts pulling away, finds someone else, and suddenly she won’t talk to you.”
“Exactly.” He huffed. “She called meclingy.I mean, what the hell? I’m only doing what I’ve always been doing—being a good son. How is that clingy?”
“Interesting. So she’s pulling away. But why? What’s she hiding?” Kenzie tried scooping the ice cream and found it had softened enough, finally. “Is she feeling bad about dragging you into her medical problems, knowing what you went through already with your fiancée? Is she scared and not wanting to show you how scared she really is? Or maybe she’s pulling away because you really are clingy and you just haven’t realized it.” She glanced up and noted his expression. “Hey, don’t get mad at me. You asked me to bounce ideas.”
“So I did.”
Evan stood when she came around the counter with two fully loaded bowls of ice cream, fudge, whipped cream, and cherries on top.
“Oh my God. I’m in heaven.”
She smiled. “Chocolate is my favorite thing in the world.”
“Milk or dark?”
“Milk, of course. I’m not sophisticated enough for dark.”
“And mint? Better than peanut butter or better than caramel?”
“Oh, that’s a tough one.” She handed him a spoon then dug into her bowl. “I think mint is right between a lower-ranking caramel and the top tier, peanut butter.” She licked her spoon, saw him staring at her, and ducked her head down.
“Sorry. I just really, really wish I was a spoon right now.”
