The frail woman sitting in the bed was nothing like the angry woman she’d last seen. With a blue hospital gown covering her body, she was a shell of the person who’d once been a formidable force in her son’s life.
“Edith? Would you be wanting a visitor?”
Slowly, she turned her head. “I should have known you’d be here today. Jamie always said you were quick to make up your mind.”
“Jamie is one of the reasons I’m here. He loved you when no one else would, so I owe him at least this visit. The nurse said you’ll be tired. Tell me what it is you want to say and then I’ll be off.”
Edith’s eyes left Becky’s. “Don’t stand in the doorway like a ticket collector. Take a seat and let me look at you.”
Becky did as she was asked. “You’ve looked at me on more than one occasion.”
“Not in person. Not since Jamie brought you home and introduced you to me.”
She remembered the visit as clearly as if it were yesterday. Edith had been overbearing, oppressive, and everything Jamie had told her she would be. Even now, a shiver raced down her spine as she thought about the intense scrutiny she’d been under.
“You never thought I was good enough for Jamie.” The words were said without malice and Edith seemed to take them as such.
“No one would have been good enough for my boy. He was my world, my everything. And you were keeping him in Ireland, away from the only person who ever understood him.”
There was so much Becky wanted to say, but she kept her mouth closed. It would be easy to be angry, to pull Edith apart, piece by piece, as she had done to Becky all those years ago. But what good would come of it? Jamie was gone and nothing anyone said or did would bring him back.
“You’ve learned the art of silence.” Edith seemed impressed.
“My gran used to say if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
A smile pulled at the dry skin around Edith’s mouth. “The princess has a sting in her tail. Maybe I was wrong. I could have grown to like you.”
“Why didn’t you come to Jamie and Sophia’s funeral?”
“I drowned my grief in heroin. By the time I knew what day of the week it was, it was over. Does that shock you?”
“Jamie told me about his childhood. Nothing you say will shock me.”
“I was a terrible mother, but I loved Jamie.” A hacking cough bent her body in half.
“Are you all right?”
Edith waved away her concern. “I’m dying. The best I can hope for is a quick end.” Reaching for a tissue, she dabbed her mouth, then lay back against the crisp cotton sheets. “I didn’t know Mary existed until you sent me photos of her. I was upset Jamie hadn’t told me.”
Becky wanted her to know Jamie hadn’t said anything because he was worried about Mary’s safety. But what good would sharing that information do?
Edith frowned. “Mary looks like Jamie around the eyes. Even her nose is the same. When I saw her on the Zoom meetings, it was like having my son here all over again.” She took a deep, wheezy breath. “After I spoke to Mary, I tried to wean myself off the alcohol and drugs, I really did. I wanted to be sober for her, to show myself I could make a difference in someone’s life. But I couldn’t do it. I’m addicted to everything that’s bad for me and now I’m dying.”
“I’m Mary’s legal guardian. Why did you want to stop me from looking after her?”
“Because I’m greedy. Jamie wasn’t coming back, but Mary was here. I have enough money to make her life everything it will never be with you. But you wanted to keep her to yourself.”
“I was happy for you to visit us and talk to Mary over Zoom.”
“That wasn’t enough.”
Becky had a feeling nothing would ever be enough for Edith. “And kidnapping her? Would taking her away from everything and everyone she loves have achieved anything?”
“I’m Mary’s grandmother. I can’t kidnap what’s already mine.” Another hacking cough racked her body.
Instead of offering her comfort, Becky waited for it to end. “Jamie and Sophia wanted me to look after Mary because you’re not able to look after yourself, let alone a child.”
Edith’s jaw clenched. “I’m sorry.”
