Willow, not for the first time, felt like a failure as a mother. As she got ready for bed, she replayed parts of Josie’s hostile speech in her head. Of course, she knew it was mostly untrue. Except for the fact that Josie may have convinced herself it was true. What if Josie truly thought that Willow had shoved her away? Perhaps Willow had sent signals like that to her daughter. After all, Josie had a knack for making life difficult for everyone around her. Surely, despite how hard they’d tried, there must’ve been times when Willow and Asher had lost their patience and voiced their disappointments. They were only human. Still, what parent hadn’t made similar mistakes? And not all children turned out like Josie. But Josie was thirty-five. Wasn’t it high time she took responsibility for her choices and actions—as wellas the consequences that followed? Wasn’t it time that Josie grew up?
As Willow got into bed, she prayed that God would help her to love Josie better ... unconditionally ... and she prayed that Josie would learn how to receive such love. Then, feeling completely exhausted—as if the past few days had taken about ten years off her life—Willow went to sleep.
When she woke up, it was to the sound of pounding on her door. Thinking it was the middle of the night and some calamity had befallen her, she leaped out of bed and ran to answer it. As she raced through her living room, she was surprised to see it was daylight outside. And past eight o’clock. Worried that something might’ve happened to Collin, she jerked open the door to see Josie standing there with a tearful face.
“Do you know where Garth is?” she asked with desperate eyes.
“No.” Willow shook her head. “I just got up.”
“Well, he’s gone. His stuff is gone. The rental car is gone. He’s gone!”
Willow waved Josie inside. “Perhaps he went to get gas. It’s a long drive to Portland and—”
“No!” Josie shook her head. “He left me. Iknowhe left me.”
“But he—”
“He threatened to leave me last night,” Josie continued. “But I didn’t believe him.”
Willow felt her heart sinking as she picked up her shawl, wrapping it over her cotton nightgown. “Did you try to call him?” she asked.
“His phone is off.”
“Well, don’t jump to conclusions.” Willow went into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. “It’s early, honey. Garth knows you like to sleep in. It’s possible that he simply—”
“He left me, Mom!” she shouted.
Willow didn’t answer as she filled the machine with water.
“Don’t you get it?” Josie continued. “He. Left. Me!”
Willow still didn’t respond. Instead she ground the beans, poured them into the filter, set it in the basket, and then turned on the coffee maker. With a deep sigh, she turned to look at Josie. “Well, I suppose it’s possible he left you.”
“What am I going to do?” Josie demanded.
Willow simply shrugged. “What do you want to do?”
“I want Garth!” And now Josie began to rant and swear, blaming Willow for everything. “If I hadn’t come here—for you—Garth and I would still be together.”
Willow wanted to set Josie straight, to point out that Josie was a spoiled brat who had treated Garth badly—treated everyone badly—and that Josie was probably only getting what she deserved ... but then Willow remembered last night’s prayer to love Josie without conditions. “I’m sorry that Garth left you ... if that’s what really happened. And I truly hope that it’s not. But I’m still here for you, Josie. I love you, and I’m willing to do whatever I can to help you.”
“You can’t help me. No one can help me.” Josie burst into fresh tears. Willow went around to the other side of the breakfast bar and, knowing this could backfire, wrapped her arms around her daughter. “God can help you, Josie. And it’s possible I can too.” To Willow’s surprise, Josie didn’t pull away or curse at her. Instead she went limp as a noodle and just cried. Willow held her until she finally stopped and stepped away.
“I need to go,” Josie said gruffly, wiping her nose on her sweatshirt sleeve. “I need to get out of here.”
“Where will you go?” Willow asked.
“I don’t know. Just away from this horrible little town.” Josie spat out some off-color words. “And away from you!” And then she stormed off.
Although she felt dismayed, Willow wasn’t surprised. This was typical Josie. Still, she felt curious. Had Garth really abandoned Josie? If so, where would Josie go? What would she do? Other than Willow and Collin, Josie probably had no one to turn to. Willow’s parents had washed their hands of their difficult adult granddaughter years ago—between band trips, Josie had worn out her welcome in their Arizona condo. After that they’d moved into a “senior commune” down near Monterey where residents had to be sixty-five or older.
With no college education or vocational training, Josie’s only option was some minimum-wage job that probably wouldn’t last long. She had no way to support herself. Willow remembered her prayer ... unconditional love. Did that mean she needed to encourage Josie to remain here in Warner? But wouldn’t that make life miserable for everyone?
As Willow quickly dressed, she remembered how one of Josie’s counselors would often tell Willow that “it’s time for tough love.” That was probably what he’d advise today. But Willow had never been good at tough love. That had been Asher’s territory. Somehow he’d been able to draw a line without turning it into an emotional battle. Even when Josie would try to push his buttons, Asher would never engage. He’d simply remain firm ... his no meant no. But sometimes Josie turned her blame game onto her mother. Willowwould want to be strong, but if Josie pushed long and hard enough, Willow would either cave or go running to Asher for reinforcement.
Grateful that Leslie and Joel were working the gallery today, Willow decided to go for a walk to help clear her head. Before she left, she tapped on Josie’s door. Part of her was worried that Josie had already left ... and part of her was worried that she was still here. Josie answered the door with puffy red eyes. “What do you want?” she growled. “Haven’t I left soon enough for you? Are you going to throw me out?”
“No, that’s not it.” Willow kept her voice even. “I only wanted to tell you that you’re welcome to stay here, Josie. And if I can help you figure things out, I’m willing to—”
