I nodded as my throat tightened.“And if it doesn’t work?”
He was quiet again for a moment, the wind brushing past us.“Then we tried,” he said finally.“And we live without regrets about what happened.We tried it and that’s the best we can do.It’s better than not even bothering and then wondering for the rest of our lives.And I can promise you, if we don’t try this, I know I’ll become an old man on his deathbed and this will be my biggest regret.Letting this pass us without trying.”
I let out a laugh at the absurdity of that.
“Simple,” I mumbled.
“You know it isn’t.But definitely worth doing.”
The porch creaked as he stood, offering me his hand.“Come on.Dinner’s about ready and you’ll feel better after you eat.Food cures all.”
“I wish it did,” I replied.I took his hand, his grip strong and supportive.
Chapter Nine
The next day, I didn’thang around after last period study hall.I gave Justin and Paxon a quick wave, grabbed my bag, and headed straight for the parking lot.
My phone buzzed as I walked, and when I checked it, I found a couple of messages from the guys—pleasant goodbyes and reminders that they were there if I needed anything.They knew I was going to see my mother and that those visits could unravel fast.
The drive to Higginham Memorial was quiet, my music playing low.The sky was overcast again, the clouds swollen but not quite ready to break.
When I pulled into the hospital lot, I sat for a minute before getting out.I’d been coming here for months, but it was still hard to walk through those doors and face the woman who had put me in the hospital.People thought I was crazy for being willing to help my abuser.Sometimes I felt the weight of those words.
Maybe I was crazy just like Lindie.
Inside, the air always smelled faintly sterile, way too clean, with lemon disinfectant underneath.I signed in at the front desk, nodded to the nurse who knew me by name now, and made my way up to Lindie’s room.
Dr.Livingston was standing outside the room, looking down at a clipboard.She wore her usual patient expression.
“Cadence, good to see you again,” she said in her smooth and cheerful voice.
“You too,” I said.“How’s she doing today?”
“Better,” the doctor said.“She’s been responding well to the medication and hasn’t had any episodes in the last month.I think we finally found what works for her.She’s well balanced now.”
I tried to let that sink in.Balanced.It was a word that felt impossible when I thought of my mother.
