“I’m sorry.” Willow exchanged her phone for a handful of tissues. She controlled herself from saying something trite—likesometimes life is toughorsometimes doors close. She knew platitudes would do no good. Instead, she simply hugged Josie ... and felt relieved not to be shoved away. Maybe that was progress.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Josie flopped down on Willow’s sectional, clutching a batik pillow to her chest. “I feel so lost.”
“I’m sure you do.” Willow sat down across from her, silently praying for help.
“What will I do, Mom?”
Willow concealed her shock. Josie was asking her for advice? That was new.
“Tell me, Mom,” Josie pressed harder. “What am I supposed to do for the rest of my life?”
Willow took in a cautious breath. “Well, for starters, you can only live one day at a time.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“When Asher died, I felt lost,” she confessed. “But a friend reminded me that we can only live one day at a time.”
“But I don’t even know how to do that.” Josie blew her nose. “I feel like I’m dying inside.”
“I know.” Willow tried to gather her thoughts. “You need to take baby steps, Josie. That means moment by moment.Like—step one—you get up in the morning and just breathe deeply. Then—step two—you brush your teeth and—”
“I never brush my teeth in the morning.”
“Well, that’s just an example.” Willow frowned. “But maybe it’s time you did.” She continued suggesting steps. “You just think about the moment you’re in, Josie—and you do your best. You don’t worry about what’s happening next ... or tomorrow ... or next year. And before long, you begin to feel better.”
“I’ll never feel better.”
“I know it feels like that now. But, trust me, I felt like that after losing Asher. In time ... it got easier.”
Josie looked up. “I’m sorry I missed his funeral, Mom.”
Willow felt a clutch in her chest. “Thank you, honey. That means a lot to me. You know ... Asher really loved you.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“And, even though I made lots of mistakes, I loved you too. I still do.”
She nodded again, and for a long moment they both just sat there. Then Willow’s phone rang. It was Marissa. They’d met for coffee and an interview this morning and Willow had offered her a job, instructing her to call this afternoon to discuss her hours.
“Can I call you back?” Willow asked. Marissa agreed. But when Willow turned back to Josie, she could tell that what had felt like the start of a tender moment had evaporated.
“I’m sure you have places to go and people to see,” Josie said sharply. “Don’t let me and my problems keep you from it.”
“I actually don’t have anywhere to be or anyone to see,” Willow assured her. “Leslie and Joel are working the galleryuntil closing. And that was Collin’s girlfriend, Marissa, on the phone. I’ve hired her to work at the gallery this summer.”
“Marissa is going to work for you?” Josie scowled with disapproval. “Isn’t she awfully young?”
“Young, but motivated. And she loves art.”
Josie frowned. “I thought maybe I could work for you.”
“Really?” Willow studied her closely. Was Josie just playing her? Willow was well aware of her daughter’s ability to manipulate people when she wanted something.
“I need money—I mean, if I want to get out of here.”
“But you don’t need to worry about that today,” Willow assured her. “You’ll have a place to live and food to eat. When you’re ready—and hopefully it won’t be long—we can talk about the possibility of you working for me. Or perhaps you’d rather look for a job someplace else in town.”
“I don’t really care where I work.”
