“I still want to hear it,” his mother said firmly.
“I figured.” He leaned back on the couch and put his feet up, shut his eyes and told her what he could remember. “That’s the gist of it. I gave a copy to Ford and Clay to listen to. We are meeting tonight to go over some things.”
“It burns my ass that he did that. All this time wasted looking for the real killer. Unless he knows and is covering for that person.”
“I don’t know what is true coming out of his mouth. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you everything.”
“I need to know it all.”
He couldn’t tell his mother everything. She didn’t need to go through it like he was.
“There isn’t much more to say. We’ve got some leads and are looking into it.”
“Like what?”
“Like there is no reason to go get your hopes up when mine aren’t,” he said. “I’m letting Ford do his job as you told me to.”
“Maybe you should come home. You sound tired. Are you not sleeping well?”
There was the guilt again, building on his shoulders with the weight he was struggling to balance. It was best if she didn’t know what had happened yesterday.
Best for everyone.
Because if he knew his mother, she’d be here by tonight and he wasn’t putting her at risk.
Or she’d be lecturing him to get home.
He wasn’t ready, and no amount of pressure was going to get him to leave.
“Just a lot of things on my mind.”
“How are things with Gale? Do I get to meet her or talk to her?”
He should have figured that was where this call would go.
“Things are good.”
“What does it look like a week from now when you’re supposed to come home?”
“I’m not ready to come home if that is what you’re asking. I can’t leave until I have more answers.”
“And if you get answers, whether or not you like them, are you still staying longer?”
“Would you be upset if I did?”
There was a pause on the other end. “I want you happy, Rory. If it’s there and you can handle it after everything that’s happened, then maybe it’s meant. Doing what works for you and your happiness is all I care about.”
“Thanks, Mom. I haven’t felt happy in longer than I can remember. Gale makes me feel that.”
Most times. When she wasn’t twisting him up inside.
But that was his cross to bear, not hers.
Something told him he was doing the same thing to her.
“Good. I’d like to talk to her at some point, if you’re willing.”
“I think I am. I’m sure she will be. I’ll let you know.”
