“What do you mean?”
“Did Frank look healthy? Did he look sober? How was he?” Gail asked. Drew noted that her mom was almost eerily calm.
“He looked good. Healthy and sober,” Drew answered.
Gail nodded her head slowly and smiled.
“Well, good for him.”
“Excuse me! How can you be so okay with him?”
“Addictions are hard things. I never begrudged Frank a sober life. I just wish he could have found his way there when you were younger.”
Drew considered her words sifting through her own emotions at the same time.
“Are you angry?” Drew asked.
“Anger doesn’t get you very far in this world. I’m not sure it would make anything better for me to be angry.”
“But he left us,” Drew persisted.
“He couldn’t be who we needed him to be then. But maybe he’s in a place where you can make peace with him now,” Gail reached out and patted her arm.
“I don’t know what to do with that,” Drew admitted.
“In my experience there’s no reason to rush into anything. Sit with your feelings and do what’s right for you,” Gail advised.
“When did you become so wise?” Drew laughed.
“Age comes for us all. You learn the lessons whether you want them or not,” Gail chuckled.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been a little out of touch through the years,” Drew admitted.
Gail gave her a genuine smile and patted her arm.
“There’s still time for the two of us to do better too.”
Drew finished her meal and gave her mom a needed hug before leaving. She winced when she pulled into her apartment. Drew wondered if Brooke was home. Walking up to Brooke’sdoor Drew couldn’t help but feel the pang of apprehension. She knocked on the door twice and heard movement inside.
Brooke opened the door and Drew’s heart immediately sank. Brooke had clearly been crying. Her eyes were red and blotchy. Her lower lip trembled when she looked at Drew. Drew offered her outstretched arms to Brooke. When Brooke fell against Drew’s chest a little piece of hurt dislodged inside of her. She squeezed Brooke so tightly that Drew almost feared she’d hurt her. Brooke pulled away and tugged Drew inside.
“Hey,” Drew said. She drug her fingers through her long dark hair.
“Hey,” Brooke offered with a half-smile.
“Are you okay?” Brooke offered.
“I’m feeling better,” Drew admitted.
Brooke nodded but she didn’t offer a smile.
“You sort of just left me behind,” Brooke stated.
“I’m sorry. I should have let you come with me. I was just so utterly overwhelmed. I mean it’s been years since I’ve seen my dad. I had no idea that he was going to be there.”
“I hope you know that I had no idea. Like who could have even guessed. I just don’t want you to think I was setting you up in some way,” Brooke’s voice broke with emotion.
“Oh gosh. I never had any doubts about you. I know you were just as surprised as I was. Neither one of us could have known. And I don’t think there’s any way your mom or my dad could have known either. I think it was a surprise for all of us,” Drew offered.
