“I can bring you dinner.”
I blink.“Really?”
“Yeah,” he says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.“Your mom’s been asking about me, hasn’t she?”
I bite my lip.“Maybe.”
“So it’s not because you wanted to call.”His voice is playful.
I squeeze my eyes shut and admit, “I miss you.”
There’s a pause, and then a soft and honest, “I miss you too.”
Something tight in my chest loosens.
“Would you like to come in and see Mom?”I ask.
His answer is immediate.“Of course.”
“She really wants to thank you.”I exhale, pressing a hand to my racing heart.
“I finish up in a couple of hours.I’ll come by then?”
“That’d be great.”
Knowing I’ll see him again gives me hope we’ll find our way back to where we were.
“See you soon.”
“I’ll see you later.”I can barely suppress the giddy feeling bubbling inside me.
As I hang up, hope spreads through me.My steps feel lighter as I head back to Mom’s room.
When I step inside, she’s mid-bite, chewing her soup-dipped-bread.The sight of her eating, really eating, without looking drained or sickly, fills me with gratitude.
She barely gives me time to sit before she asks, “Are you blushing?What did he say?”
I shake my head with a small laugh.“We didn’t talk about any of the drama,” I admit.“Just… checked in.And he did ask to bring us some dinner, though.”
Mom lowers her bread onto the tray.“So you’re starting to overthink the conversation?”
I groan, leaning back against the chair.“It’s hard not to.I’m so used to doing it, but even thinking about it now, I don’t know what else I could’ve said.Sure, I could’ve talked to him about all of this drama, but it felt better to do so in person.Truly, I was just happy to hear his voice.”
“Well, you’ve had a lot of emotions these last couple of weeks.First, that article, then my stroke, and then the promotion news.Honey, it’s okay that it’s a lot, but you don’t have to do this on your own.”
I sit and think about what she’s saying and realize that I’ve yet to really discuss the things that have gone on recently, and it’s a lot.I don’t know that I realized I was holding on to all these emotions until Mom highlighted them.***
A few hours later, the room buzzes with quiet voices.Sophia sprawls across chairs, doing homework with me; Aurora is reading in the corner with Felix, Hazel, and Jasper scrolling on their phones, when a gentle knock sounds at Mom’s hospital room door.
I turn, and my heart skips a beat.
Adrian steps inside, holding a bouquet smaller than the first extravagant bunch, but just as breathtaking.The deep reds and soft pinks contrast against the stark white of the hospital walls.He’s also carrying a couple of pizza boxes, which the kids immediately grab from him.
“Hi, Mrs.Richards,” he says warmly, as he steps closer.“How are you feeling?”
Mom’s face brightens.“Oh, Adrian, thank you.I’m doing well, thanks to you.”
He shakes his head.“Nonsense,” he counters, handing over the flowers.She brings them to her nose, inhaling deeply, and I swear her cheeks go a little pinker.
