“Thanks, Jesse. Even though he probably doesn’t want me there?—”
“He does. In fact, you’re exactly what he needs right now.”
I raced out of my apartment, stopping at Caden’s favorite burger place before heading to the home. I didn’t know what kind of shape his mother was in, so I grabbed a small vase of flowers from the gift shop on my way in.
Mrs. Williams had been the coolest of all our parents. Warm and sweet like her son, with the same sense of humor, and she had never given me any dirty looks when she’d catch me sneaking out of her son’s room.
I barely had time to rehearse what I’d say when I almost barreled right into Caden coming off the elevator.
“Sabrina, what are you doing here?”
Caden had heavy, dark bags under his eyes and maybe an extra week’s stubble covering his cheeks. It had hurt that he hadn’t wanted to see me, but it killed me to see him like this.
“Jesse told me that your mom was hurt. I was worried since I hadn’t heard from you this week—or, really, in a while. But we’ll talk about that later. I have dinner for you and flowers for your mom.”
His shoulders drooped as a slow smile spread his mouth.
“That’s very sweet of you, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“Your mom was always so nice to me, and you look like shit and need to eat.”
A chuckle shook his shoulders. His smile relaxed me a little, and I wished I could just bring him into my arms and kiss him, but I had no right to do that or even to be here.
But I needed to be where he was, and I’d sort out the motivations for my actions tonight after I made sure he was okay.
“Well, stop sweet-talking me and come with me.”
Caden took the bag from me and pressed his hand into the small of my back, gently guiding me down the hall.
“You can give these to her, but I need to tell you what to expect.”
We stopped outside the doorway of what I guessed was his mother’s room.
“She took a bad fall and has stitches on her head. It looks a lot worse than it is, but it was enough to disorient her.” He looked away and raked his hand through his hair. “She already has dementia.”
“Caden,” I gasped, pressing my hand into my chest. “You never told me.”
“I don’t like talking about it. You remembered Mom as the cool lady she always was, and it hurt to explain that she is…different now. She always knows who I am, but I never know what version. Sometimes I’m me of present day, sometimes I’m in high school, others I’m in kindergarten. But she knows me, so I’m thankful as fuck for that.”
I stood silent for a long minute, our eyes locked as I took in what Caden was saying. He’d been going through this with his mother and hadn’t said a word. He’d come to Maddie’s games to check on her and Jesse and would watch stupid TV with me atmy apartment or his, always the one to make any of us laugh or offer a sympathetic ear.
But no one did that for him. Maybe Jesse, but he’d been in his own fog for a while.
“I really wish you would have told me,” I said, clearing my throat when I caught my voice crack. “I could have… I don’t know. Been there for you.”
“Sab, there’s nothing anyone can do. I appreciate it, but,” he said, lifting a shoulder, “it is what it is. It’s hard to see, but we keep her comfortable.”
I followed him into the room and found Mrs. Williams in a pink nightgown under several blankets. Bouquets of flowers and balloons lined the tables by her bed. She was smaller than I remembered but had the same kind smile curving her lips as she slept.
Caden’s family was close, and by all the gifts and cards, it was obvious that she was still surrounded by so much love, love she probably wasn’t aware of. Or maybe she was. Maybe love was intangible enough to feel even if you weren’t conscious of it.
I hoped so, for her sake.
“Hey, Mom. Remember Sabrina? She came to visit you today.” Caden gave her knee a gentle shake over the blanket.
Her eyes blinked open and grew wide when she met my gaze.
“Sabrina! It’s so nice to see you. It’s been a long time.”
