“For a few months,” Lanie cut in.“Just a few months.Afteryou settle in, get healed up, we’ll talk about rent.”
“How do I know it’ll be something I can afford?”I asked.
“It’ll be something you can afford,” Hop answered.
“Hop,” Lanie said sharply.
“We’ll hammer all that out when the time comes,” Tyra putin.
“This is wonderful, thank you,” Mom said.
And that, as was Mom’s way, was that.
My voice was a lot like hers (in times not like this one,but Mom’s never wavered), delicate and melodious.Soothing.Peaceful.I couldprobably count on one hand how often she’d raised her voice that I remembered.Even in heavy situations, when folks were upset or angry, if Mom waded in, hercalm, the tranquility of her voice, assured and settled pretty much anysituation.
And right then it said she appreciated what they were doingfor her daughter, but she and I were both done with this conversation.
I’d had years of Mom being able to pull that kind of thingoff.
I was still surprised to see it work on Tack Allen andHopper Kincaid.
“Appreciate you ladiesgivin’ ustime,” Tack murmured.“And good to see you’rehealin’,sweetheart,” he said to me.
“We’ll just head out,” Hop added, making a move with Tack.
“Call us when you go to your new place,” Lanie urged.“Or…you have the keys, if you go, give us a bell and tell us what you think.”
“Right, thanks,” I replied.
“And if you need anything…” Tyra let that trail.
I just nodded to her and gave her a tight smile.
“Thank you for coming,” Mom said, making her own move to thedoor.
I stayed where I stood.
“See you later,” Lanie said to me.
“Mm-hmm,” I hummed noncommittally.
“’Bye, Rosalie,” Tyra said.
I nodded to her again.
Tack and Hop gave me looks and jerked up their chins.
A week ago I would have found that hot.
Now I thought…
Men.
Mom murmured good-byes and thankyousand see youlatersand I stood watching her as sheushered them out and closed the door on them.
Only when the door was closed did I walk through the room tothe front window.
I looked out, intent to watch them drive away.
