She sits up from my bed and eyes me from where I sit on the floor. “How’s work for you?”
Nonexistent.
“Since Leonidas bought all the books, I haven’t gone in. Linda says there’s no point when we’re waiting for shipments.”
Sitting at the counter all day and counting the ceiling tiles doesn’t sound fun to me, so I don’t disagree.
“I’m very proud of you,” Mom says suddenly.
My hands freeze as I meet her gaze with shocked eyes.
“You’re such an astonishing girl—better than me and your father could have ever hoped for. I wish I could love and forgive like you do.”
Tears cloud my eyes as I hear the only thing that I’ve wanted to hear from my mother in a long time.
“You’ve grown to be an amazing young woman. I’m so happy I’m your mother.”
I somehow find my voice despite my throat closing up. “You really mean that? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
Getting off the bed, she kneels down beside me. Gripping my cheek, she smiles sadly down at me. “I couldn’t be prouder of you, and I know Dad feels the same.”
My fingers grasp his ring that’s around my neck. Tears trail down my face as I take in her words. Nothing is better than this feeling.
My voice is thick with emotion. “Thank you, Mom.”
I melt into her motherly embrace as she pulls me into her body. I wrap my arms around her and breathe in her sweet smell.
At this moment, I couldn’t be more grateful to have my old mother back. I love hanging out with her again. Every night, we catch up on all the stories we’ve missed. I would think after all the strains we’d put on our relationship that it would never be the same. Though, I feel closer to her. I tell her things I wouldn’t have dared to before Dad’s passing.
Grief either distances you from your loved ones or it brings you closer. In our case, it was both. Where we are right now is perfect. I love having a best friend in Mom.
She pulls me further into her side and kisses my temple. “How are you really doing without him?”
I brush my sweaty palms on my legs. “He makes me love myself. He taught me to move on from the past. I’ve never been happier. I feel like my old self again. But I miss him so much, it hurts.”
Mom sighs and glances down at the floor. “I know how it feels to have your loved one far away. Dad used to go on a lot of business trips. Every time he left, I felt like he took a part of me with him.” Grasping my cheek in her hold, she smiles sadly down at me. “I know this might be hard, especially when you love him, but you need to learn how to move on without actually moving on. Soon, you’ll get used to the feeling. The one thing you’ll be thinking about is how it will feel to see him again for the first time.”
I know Mom’s right, and, yes, I’m trying to move on. I hate change. Leonidas moving away suddenly was devastating. But I am doing better than I was, and that’s a big step. I could say that I don’t depend on anyone but myself. Just because you love someone and feel whole with them doesn’t mean you depend on them to live.
Mom smiles. “Since I’m very proud of you, I want to give you something.”
“I don’t need anything, Mom. You know I don’t like gifts.”
“Trust me, you’ll adore this gift.”
Reaching over to my nightstand, she picks up an envelope. Smiling, I watch with curious eyes as she extends it to me.
“Open it.”
Taking it from her grasp, I hold the white envelope, and my fingers rip eagerly at the paper. I frown when my eyes land on a card.
“Don’t just stare. The suspense is killing me.”
As I unfold the card, my fingers halt.
Holy … am I dreaming right now? Please, someone, pinch me.
My heart speeds up at a concerning rate when I find a plane ticket. Let me clarify … a plane ticket to Greece.
