I open it, seeing a baby picture of my mother. After her death, John burned every photo of her, but here there are several interspersed throughout the house. I had almost forgotten how she looked.
“It details your mom’s life.” Lynette lovingly glides her fingertips over the photo. “I’m guessing she’s seven or eight months here.”
I flip through the album, coming across notes, postcards, drawings, and more photos. For the first time, I’m getting a glimpse into my mother’s life.
“Those are some of her high school buddies and that’s Grace on the left. Oh God, what is she wearing?” Lynette chuckles.
I can’t relate the smiling carefree teenager to the broken woman she became. I never saw the twinkle in her electric-blue eyes. Why didn’t she fight? Try harder to leave John?
“Why are you giving me this, huh?” I slam the album shut and thrust it at her. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“I figured you didn’t remember much—”
“And I prefer it that way,” I cut her off. “I don’t give two shits about a crazy woman who offed herself.”
“Listen to me, Maverick,” Lynette demands sternly. “Your mother wasn’t crazy. She was alone and traumatized.”
“She was weak,” I sneer, my upper lip curling.
“I understand why you’re upset.”
I laugh derisively. “You have no idea.”
“In her mental condition, suicide was the only option to escape John. I’m not condoning what she did by any means, but desperate people do desperate things.”
“She should’ve lived for me.”
“You haven’t walked a mile in her shoes, so don’t judge her. The human mind can only take so much physical abuse before it snaps.”
“Where were you?” I ask accusingly. “Why didn’t you help her?”
“I tried, but John wouldn’t let me near her.” Sadness creeps into her eyes. “He isolated her from the family.”
I want to shout to the heavens and curse God for the unfairness of it all.
“Your mom loved you so much. The day you were born was the happiest day of her life.” Lynette stands and places the album on my lap. “I hope you find it in your heart to forgive her.” She kisses my forehead, then leaves me in privacy.
I spend the next hour delving into my mother’s life.
Three months later
“Nix!” Kayla screeches excitedly, rushing into the family room. I trail behind her, dragging my feet. “Cocoa bought the hottest prom dress ever.”
He and Dee lounge on the sectional, watching an action flick, munching on the abundance of snacks scattered across the coffee table. Kayla settles in between them and grabs a Snickers. I join them, sinking into the plush cushions. I’m beat. The gang and I, along with Kayla and Liam—Jamal’s boyfriend—spent the day gallivanting around the mall in our search for the perfect prom ensemble. Jamal and Liam debuted their relationship a few weeks ago and are super cute together.
“I can’t wait to see it.” He grins, winking at me.
“It’s red and satin and crisscrosses in the back,” Kayla rambles around a mouthful of chocolate. “There’s a long split on the left side and a deep V-neck in the front. I’m going to buy a similar dress for my senior prom.”
“I’m thinking loose fitting, long sleeves, no split or showing cleavage for you,” Nix says, nodding matter-of-factly.
“No, silly.” She rolls her eyes. “I want to look super-duper sexy.”
I giggle at the horrified expression on Nix’s face.
“Glad I don’t have a little sister,” Dee mutters, tossing a Starburst into his mouth.
“Kayla, your mother just started cooking dinner, so why don’t you head to the kitchen and see if she needs help,” Nix says.
