But in that moment, I burst into tears.
I hobbled her way and threw my arms around her.
Maxine recoiled, but I grabbed her with us as Mom burst outcrying too.
We clutched and we wailed, and I was pretty sure my hatpoked her in the eye, and she didn’t care.
I ripped away from her hold, but caught her face in myhands, laughed through my tears because she was right there, so close I couldtouch her, and I wastouching my momma, and I cried, “Oh my God!I wasso worried.”
“Honey, I’m fine.”She held Maxine close.“We’refine.”
I turned to Maxine.“Maxie,” I whispered.“Hi.”
She studied me, biting her lip and sticking close to Mom.
“But…what happened to your eye?”Mom asked.
“I’m fine too,” I told her.
“Girl,” she warned.
I sighed.“I don’t think I have to tell you, the dude’s adick.”
Her eyes lit in a blaze of glory.
Okay, time to move past the bad, and get back to the good.
I took a step back and clapped my hands.
Maxine jumped.
Mom kept hold on Maxine and gave me a slow shake of herhead.
Right, no sudden movements or noise.
Noted.
“Okay, baths.Or food first?And clothes,” I declared in aforced calm voice.
Mom took me in fully this time.“Good Lord, girl, what areyouwearing?”
Oh.
Wait.
Mom hadn’t been around and about to get the lay of the landlike I had.
No.
Wait.
I turned and saw Loren, Ansley, and new hot guy standing inthe wide doorway, watching the reunion.
Right.
I had to do this, and fast.
I moved in, trying to take care not to freak Maxine, and putmy mouth to Mom’s ear.
