The same frown Heath wears when he’s confused or annoyed at something or someone.
They are so similar.
“Is something the matter?”
I panic. “No! Not at all. I know your son.”
Her entire face brightens up. “Really? I’ve seen two of his friends. Sebastian and Marie. I didn’t know he has more friends.”
I’m his girlfriend.
“We are.”
She quickly leans over the table, her eyes sparking up with excitement. “Tell me about him. How is he at school? Does he have a lot of friends? What are his grades? Does he eat lunch or skip? Is he doing well in classes? What about sports?”
She fires off all these questions and I learn that Heath was right. His parents know nothing about him. Nothing at all.
It makes me sad, really sad, knowing that he truly has been on his own for years. His parents are alive and well but live in another country for some reason.
Anger simmers my blood like boiling lava. Heat envelopes me in a tight embrace.
Instead of answering her questions I want to ask her why she wasn’t there for him? Why she left him? Why she broke something in him?
The only thing that stops me is, it’s not my place to ask those questions and have the answers that Heath deserves to know first. After last night, I know he cares about his parents, despite not wanting to.
When I take long to answer, his mother grimaces. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be asking you those questions.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind?—”
“No, it’s not. I should already know all that and more.” Her voice drops. “I’m a terrible mother.”
I blurt, “You can ask him. I think he’d like that.”
Her eyes shoot up and they’re filled with tears, waiting to spill down her cheeks.
“You really think so?” she whispers.
I give her an encouraging nod. “Yes.”
“I don’t know if he’s told you or not, but we’re back in town and we’re staying.”
“I know. He told me.”
She smiles. “Seems like he talks to you.”
My face turns red. “Sometimes.”
“Does he ever talk about me?”
Under her curious gaze that burns with hope, I fidget with my fingers, not knowing what answer to give her.
Heath wouldn’t want me to meet her let alone talk to her about him. He didn’t introduce me to her which made me feel bad as if he was hiding me. I understand that he doesn’t want his parents to know about any aspect of his life—that includes me. Still, it hurts a little.
I shake my head and her face turns gloomy. I hate seeing that look on her but I can’t break Heath’s trust and tell her things that he’s confided in me.
“I see,” she studies the table. “I lived away from him for all these years just to keep him safe. It was the most important thing to me that he was protected, healthy and alive. There were so many times when I wanted to come back and spend all my days with him but I couldn’t because then he’d become a target. I thought it was for the good, but turns out it wasn’t.”
I listen to her closely, regret thick in her voice.
