Attached to the email is a picture of her in a private room with the purple hyacinths I sent for the week. Every Monday, the local florist delivers a different bouquet, so that when Mom opens her eyes, the beautiful blossoms will be the first thing she sees.
I’d love to be there with her for that moment, but I need to make money. Although Nelson reluctantly agreed to pay for most of Mom’s care, his wife Karie isn’t as generous. She demanded I chip in as much as possible, so I ended up shouldering two thousand dollars a month. If my job didn’t pay so well, and if Andreas hadn’t let me live in one of his condos rent-free—even if it does come with my half-sister occasionally barging in to “borrow” my stuff because she somehow manages to get the key—I’d be eating nothing but ramen noodles and living under a bridge.
Actually, if it hadn’t been for Andreas, Nelson would’ve let the doctors take Mom off life support within a week of her arriving at the ER on that stormy night. He honestly wasn’t willing to do anything to keep her alive from the very beginning. If I hadn’t shown up when I did, she might not have survived at all. The grumpy stranger who gave me a ride didn’t just get me to the hospital—he probably saved my mom’s life.
Who was he?
The guy never contacted me. I didn’t give him a wrong number. I double-checked before handing him the dollar bill to make sure. I try to pay my debts, and never take anybody’s generosity or kindness for granted.
And he treated me with more kindness and patience than the situation warranted. In retrospect, nobody would’ve blamed him if he’d just driven off. I most likely sounded crazy and incoherent. Panic tends to do that.
One thing I know for sure: his car was fancy. Like,reallyfancy. I didn’t quite catch the make, but I can still smell thenew-car smell and feel the way my dripping body sank into that soft leather. How much might it cost to take care of the seat I probably ruined with rainwater?
It was so nice of him to let that go when he didn’t have to. And his action—well,inaction—reminds me that most people in the world are good, even if I did get the short end of stick in the dad department.
I make a quick voice recording for Mom so the hospital staff can play it for her. “Hey, Mom! Today’s another beautiful day! I’m at work, organizing another fundraiser for the foundation. The money is going toward helping children with cancer. Isn’t that amazing? I’m lucky to be part of an organization that cares so much about people.
“I know you’re alone now, and I’m so sorry about that. As soon as you wake up, we’re going to be together. I’m not letting you stay so far away again. We can move to someplace nice and quiet, like maybe Montana. I’ve never been, but I hear it’s beautiful. And you can have a gorgeous flower garden, just like you always wanted. I have to go now, but I’ll send another note soon. Love you.” I make a kissing noise, then end the recording and send it to Dr. Blum.
Montana. Ever since Mom collapsed, I’ve been saving every penny possible for our future. Thankfully, Andreas is paying for all the utilities at the condo—he said that was the least I deserved for all the years I’d been deprived. I shop at thrift stores and raid garage sales for everything I need. I rarely do what most people my age would consider “fun,” and all my friends, except for Adam, drifted away when they realized I was just “too cheap to live a little” with them. And Peter, of course. I don’t even know how I ended up with a boyfriend when I lead such an unexciting life.
But the sacrifice is worth it. I need to be able to take care of my mom when she gets better. Nelson isn’t somebody I can relyon. Andreas isn’t either—not because he’s as reptilian as Nelson, but because he’s so busy it’s impossible to see him unless you work at the firm or make an appointment months in advance. Being his grandchild doesn’t grant me any special access.
Still, I make a mental note to do something special for tonight. I’m going to make shrimp scampi and a chocolate cake to celebrate Peter’s promotion. He’s a lawyer at Huxley & Webber now, but when he was interning at the firm, he let the poor eighteen-year-old me sneak in to meet Andreas and plead my case. I’ll never forget his kindness, and when we reconnected last year, it just seemed right that we end up together.
I want him to know I appreciate him.
Chapter Three
Grace
How weird.
It’s already nine, and Peter still isn’t home. His assistant said he left the office around seven thirty, so I timed my cooking so everything would be done as he walked through the door. The dinner’s cold now. So is the kitchen, for that matter. The sauce I made for the shrimp and pasta sits in an unappetizing, congealed lump. The vinaigrette I whipped up for the salad has separated, oil forming a layer on top of the balsamic vinegar.
I run a hand down my black dress. It’s a classy piece I picked up for twenty bucks several years ago. I’ve only worn it twice, and underneath it is some sexy underwear and silky thigh-highs I bought on sale with a Christmas gift card—for the perfect end to our evening and celebration. Peter deserves it after working so hard for the promotion, coming home late and exhausted for months on end.
What happened? A car accident?
I text him again. And again, nothing. He hasn’t read my earlier messages, either. Worry begins to mount, and my anxiety spikes. This reminds me eerily of the time Mom became seriously sick for the first time when I was in high school. She didn’t come home when she was supposed to, didn’t answer the phone like she was supposed to.
Is Peter okay?
My phone buzzes, and I immediately check the screen.
–Adam: Hey, GG, you coming to the party?
I frown.
–Me: What party?
–Adam: The one to celebrate Peter’s promotion.
The world seems to spin a bit.
–Me: Is this a surprise party?
–Adam: No. Everyone in the office knew about it. Kacey planned it last week. I thought Peter invited you?
