I’m trying, hippie. But I’m not sure how much longer this seeing-you-between-classes thing’s gonna hold me over.
Mom’s calming voice pulls my attention back to the screen in front of me. “Have you visited Miss Riley again?”
Trying to clear my head, I nod. “I went last Sunday. Annie, the Activities Director, was out sick, so I spent the whole time with Miss Riley. She still hasn’t spoken to me much, but that’s okay. I hear her talk to the nurses sometimes. Besides, I’m pretty sure I do enough talking for both of us anyway.”
Mom chuckles, and I grin.
“Hmm, what else ...? Piano music seems to soothe her. Oh, and she loves brushing her hair. I think that’s my favorite part too.”
“She’s lucky to have someone like you.”
I lift a shoulder, glancing away as an image of Miss Riley appears in my mind. I like visiting her, but it saddens me at the same time. She’s a delicate shell of someone she used to be, a thousand stories bottled up inside with no one to read them.
“It’s a wonder, isn’t it?” Mom murmurs, watching me. “The paths we cross in this life?”
I chew my lip, the sudden heaviness in my chest growing.
“You have an open heart, my Blue. In a world bursting with conflicting energy, for people like us, one tiny emotion can fill our entire soul. So you see, we have to be cautious about the ones we choose to focus on. It’s the only way.”
Our birthstones warm my neck. Reaching up, I wrap my fingers around them. “I guess I just wish there was more I could offer than only sitting with her, you know?”
“I do,” she says. “But don’t underestimate the value of being present for someone. That’s usually the most precious thing you can give.”
Her gaze travels along my face, and my chest squeezes. Mom’s never just looking at someone’s exterior—face, hair, clothes. Somehow, I think she sees everything underneath.
“I can’t believe it, my Blue. You were brought to meeighteen yearsago today.” She smiles, which automatically makes me smile. The pressure on my heart eases a fraction at the change of subject. “Do you feel any different, birthday girl?”
My lips twist in thought. “Nope.”
She laughs quietly. “Yeah, well, maybe there’s too much stress on numbers anyway, hmm? You were the same Blue yesterday as you are today.” Leaning forward, she winks. “But it’s kind of nice having an excuse to celebrate yourself, isn’t it?”
I bat my eyelashes. “So nice. Does this mean you’re coming to see me? A birthday is a pretty good excuse, right?”
Just as she opens her mouth, a knock on the door yanks my attention over my shoulder.
“Blue?” Rebecca calls.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think you’ll have time to stop downstairs for a quick minute?”
“Oh, um ...” When I turn back to Mom, she smiles and gives a small nod. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be right there.”
“Hey,” Mom says, “before I forget, I have something I need to give you.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I think I’m going to bring it when I come over soon, okay?”
I clasp my hands together, grinning. “Promise? About coming soon?”
Her lips curve up, and she whispers, “Promise.” But a heavy shadow darkens her expression, flickering behind her blue irises, and it pours ice-cold water on the budding warmth inside me.
“You’re okay ... right, Mom?”
“Always,” she answers without hesitation. “Now, go give some more of your beauty to the world, will you?”
“I love you.”
