I thought back to this past weekend. Everything had seemed to have gone to complete shit, then gotten so much better. I nodded, a grin breaking out on my face. “I feel good,” I said, the feelings so certain inside of me. “Michael and I talked, and … and it was so refreshing.”
My chest tightened, my fingers tingling at the thought. “I’d needed to talk, and I’d needed it badly. I kept it bottled up for so long, thought that he wouldn’t understand everything I was going through in silence … but he did.”
“That’s amazing, Mia,” she said, eyes lighting up the entire lecture hall. She closed her laptop and placed it into her bag. “It’s difficult to get out there and talk to someone about your worries. I’m so proud of you for having the courage to do that.”
Upon hearing her words, I smiled even wider. “People are still spreading rumors, talking down about us … but I honestly think we can make it now. Before, I was unsure. The thought of breaking up with him crossed my mind, but I kept pushing.” And it felt beyond weird to say it aloud, but I was damn proud of myself.
“Good, Mia. This is a great first step in healing. You’ve acknowledged your pain. You’ve talked it out with someone. It might be a bumpy ride, but you can do it. I believe you and Michael will become stronger from this.”
I walked with her toward the door. “I sure hope so.”
Because we were together for the long run.
After class,I picked Serena up at her house and drove us to St. Barbars. Serena had been asking to see Mom for a while now, and I knew she wanted to gush to her about something. Mom had always been there for her and Melissa when we were young. No matter what Dad had put her through, she always made sure that we were happy.
“Friends are most important. They’ll be with you through everything,” she always used to tell me.
Serena looped her arm around mine and walked into the assisted living center with me. Carol sat at the front desk and pushed the sign-in sheet to me without saying a word. She still looked embarrassed after I’d called her out the other day.
When we walked away, Serena stuck her name tag to her chest. “What was that all about?” she asked, glancing back at Carol.
“Just someone who couldn’t mind her business.”
Serena’s eyes widened. “Oh my gosh. Did you tell her off?” When I didn’t answer, she squealed, earning her some hard stares from the nurses. “You did, didn’t you?! Yes, girl, growing a backbone.”
I playfully rolled my eyes and knocked on Mom’s door.
“Come in,” Mom called.
Serena and I walked into the room to see Mom clicking off the television.
“There is some raunchy stuff they play here,” she said, fanning herself. “Oh God, give me a sec. Recovering from that boat scene still.”
I let out a small laugh, knowing exactly what movie she must’ve been watching, and sat down on the bed next to her.
She pushed herself to a seated position. “How’s everything, sweetheart? How’d the dinner go?”
“What dinner?”
“Michael’s work dinner.”
“You remembered I had a party to go to?”
She smiled widely at me. “Of course I did! Why would I forget about something like that? I told you things between you and him are getting pretty serious.”
Warmth exploded through my chest. Mom had her memories back. She finally had her memories back, and I couldn’t have ever been happier about anything. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug.
She patted my back. “Mia, what’s going on?”
I shook my head and slid into the bed with her, resting my head against her shoulder. “Nothing, Mom. I’m just glad you’re back.”
After letting out a confused laugh, she dropped it and turned to us. “So? Are you going to leave me hanging? How’d it go?” She glanced at Serena. “Has she told you yet?”
Serena placed a hand on her hip. “No, she’s been waiting until we came to see you.” She pulled up a chair. “So, spill.”
My lips curled into a smile, and I shook my head. “It was okay. Drama with his coworkers that I don’t want to get into.”
“Thinking you’re too young for him?” Serena asked, rolling her eyes. “Fuck them.”
