This is going fantastically.
“So,Mrs. Aka-“Ericstarts,butshecutshimoff immediately.
“Please,”shesayssoftly,thatshysmilereturning. “Call me Julie.”
Eric nods like this is all perfectly normal. “Alright then. Julie. Why are you here?”
I nod sharply, a silentyeah, answer that.
She draws in a slow breath, straightening her spine like she’sbracing for impact. “I was hoping I could reconnect with Hale.” Her eyes flick to me, hopeful and terrified all at once. “It’s been so long. And I understand completely if you want nothing to do with me now. I really do. I just… I wanted you to know I’m clean.”
My jaw tightens.
“I’ve been through rehab a couple of times,” she continues. “But I’ve been sober for two years now. I think-“ her voice wobbles, just slightly, “-I think I’m finally in a place where I can revisit the past. Where I can try to fix some of the mistakes I made.”
I don’t say anything. Can’t. My throat feels like it’s closing in on itself.
She glances at Eric, clearly uneasy about my silence, like she’s wondering if she’s already failed. To his credit, he doesn’t skip a beat.
“Why now?” he asks calmly. “Why not wait until the competition is over? And why make Aksel keep it a secret?” I’ve never been more grateful for Eric than I am in this moment. Words aren’t wording, and for some reason, I’ve forgotten every question I’ve ever had for my long-lost mother.
Her shoulders sag. “I’m embarrassed to admit this, but… I didn’t want the Winthers to spend any more money on me than they already had.” She winces. “They paid for my rehab stays. Helped me get an apartment. A car. I’ll be paying them back forever.”
My stomach twists.
“When the show offered to fly us out for the week, all expenses paid, I jumped at the chance. I’ve missed my son for so long.” Her mouth trembles. “The only problem is, they made me sign paperwork saying I couldn’t tell you in advance.I know now that it was a terrible idea, but at the time… I couldn’t see past how badly I wanted to see you.”
She reaches across the table and takes my hand.
Her grip is firm. Steady. Stronger than I ever remember it being.
“I hope you don’t stay mad at Aksel,” she says quietly. “I put him in an impossible position. He wanted to tell you so badly, Hale. I made him promise not to. The show wouldn’t have paid for me to come if you knew beforehand.”
My brain short-circuits.
DoIpullmyhandaway?DoIsqueezehersback?
Do I say anything?
Instead, I choose option three: I stare blankly at her hand on top of mine like it doesn’t belong there.
Eventually, she pulls back, embarrassment coloring her face.
Nailedit.Waytomakeeveryoneuncomfortable,
Hale.
“I know you probably need time to process everything,” she says carefully. “I’m here if you have questions. I could give you my number.” She brightens a little. “I got a new phone when I got promoted to supervisor.”
“You have a job?” The words slip out before I can stop them. My voice sounds smaller than I want it to.
Her smile widens. “Yeah. I started as a cleaning lady a couple of years ago. I worked my way up. I schedule staff, order supplies, basically make sure everything runs smoothly.” She shrugs, a little sheepish. “It’s not glamorous, but-”
“No.” I shake my head. “No, Mom. That’s… that’s amazing.” And I mean it. “I bet you’re really good at it.”
She looks like she might cry.
Then the thought I’ve been avoiding slams into me. “What about Dad?”
