“They are at George’s parents’ house for dinner,” she said, referring to Maggie’s husband’s family.
“You didn’t go with?”
“No,” she said, pausing, and Jonny caught the wince on her face. “I had plans.”
“Plans?” he said, furrowing his brow. “What kind of plans?”
Before she could answer, the door opened and another voice called out just as Jonny had minutes before, “Ma?”
Will.
Jonny’s gaze shot to his mother.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?”
“Because I knew you would leave,” she said, biting her lip as Will walked into the room.
“Ma, how are you?” he said, kissing her cheek before turning to the table — and stopping when he saw Jonny sitting there.
“Jon.”
“Will.”
They stared at each other, saying nothing more. Jonny was still confused about the night Will had told him and Ada to run, even after he had come for them himself.
He wanted to ask him just what was going on — why these conflicting messages — but he didn’t know how to voice it aloud.
“I’ll go,” Jonny said, attempting to rise, but his mother placed a hand firmly on his shoulder.
“Sit,” she said. “I made you food. You will eat. Then you can decide whether or not to go.”
“But you had plans?—”
“And these are better,” she said, putting a bowl of stew and a plate with crusty bread and cheese before him, a similar setting in front of Will.
“Where is your food?” Jonny asked his mother. He would not eat what she had prepared for herself.
“I have my own,” she said, gesturing to the pot. “But I’m going to eat in my bedroom.”
“Why would you do that?” Jonny asked, aghast.
“Because,” she said, pointing her spoon at first Jonny and then Will, “the two of you are going to sit here, have a meal together, and figure out just what has gone wrong between you. Then you’re going to decide how to make things right.”
“Ma—” Will began, but she shook her head, standing strong and stubborn.
“This has gone on long enough. No children of mine should not be speaking to one another. I raised you better than that. Despite what else you learned at far too young an age, we stay together. Now. Speak.”
Picking up her bowl, she set her shoulders back and practically stalked from the room, leaving Jonny and Will to sit there staring at each other.
“Might as well eat,” Jonny said, picking up his spoon and starting on the stew of beef and root vegetables.
Will just sat there, looking at him.
“What?” Jonny said.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why I told you to leave the other night?”
Jonny desperately wanted to, but he refused to give Will the satisfaction. “No.”
