“What kind of work does he do?” Maile asked.
Jesus, no one knew anything about Jackson, did they? “I don’t know.”
“Is he coming back?”
She didn’t want to say yes. What if he didn’t? “I’m not sure,” she hedged. “Come on, let’s go inside. Mom, I can help you get back to your room.”
“I can get to bed on my own,” Tani said stiffly. Ignoring Livvy’s hand, she turned away and made her way slowly down the hallway, to the first-floor bedroom she’d taken for her own while she recovered.
Maile lingered behind, her wistful gaze on the street. “Did he ask about me?”
“He did.” Livvy closed the door.
“How did he look?”
Livvy spoke without thinking. “Like Dad.”
Maile closed her eyes briefly. They were teary when she opened them. Unlike Tani, she didn’tbother to hide it. “If he comes back, you tell him I miss him terribly.”
“Ifhe comes back,” Livvy emphasized. “He’s gone years without seeing me either.”
Maile nodded, her face troubled. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Livvy’s heart squeezed. If she’d reached out at any time over the past ten years, Maile would have been available as a resource and comfort. She hadn’t needed to feel so alone.
It was good to know that. “Not right now, thanks. Why don’t you go back to bed?”
“I was awake, watching television. I didn’t know if you’d need a ride home. You didn’t walk in the dark, did you?”
In all the drama, she’d almost forgotten Nicholas and what they’d done together before he’d given her a ride home. She fought to keep the blush off her face. “No. I got a ride.”
“Good.” Maile turned and walked to the stairs. Her thick hair was caught up in a braid that almost reached her waist. It swished when she walked. “I’ll go watch some more T.V. Or I’ll start that new knitting project. I want to make a sweater for the Kims’ new baby.”
Livvy did her usual circuit, making sure the windows and doors were all locked, before making her way to her room, unable to get her mom’s face out of her mind.
Marshmallow.
Calling herself a fool, certain the gesture would be rebuffed, she went to her dresser and pulled outthe sketchpad she kept there. She always kept a few pads on hand, in case of inspiration. Her hand hovered over her box of pastels, but she chose the charcoals.
She went back downstairs to her mother’s room. A light was visible beneath the door, a late-night talk show blaring on the television. She knocked lightly, peeking in at her mother’s response.
The room was decorated rather barrenly, like most of the house, with only a bed and furniture. Nothing on the walls. Her mother’s regular room upstairs was pretty much the same. It was a far cry from her childhood home’s master bedroom, which had been graced with priceless artwork.
“Hey. I, uh, just wanted to drop these off. The physical therapist said it would be good to keep your hands busy,” she made up on the spot. “I don’t have any puzzles or Rubik’s Cubes or whatever, but figured you could sketch. Or write letters. Whatever.” She walked into the room and placed the sketchbook and charcoals on the table.
After a quick glance, Tani returned her attention to the television. “Thank you.” The dismissal in her tone was unmistakable.
Livvy hesitated at the door. “Do you want to talk about—?”
“Good night, Olivia.”
She bit her lip, aching inside.Marshmallow.“Good night.”
Upstairs, Livvy removed the bruised petals from her pocket and placed them carefully on the bureau. She shed her clothes and tossed them onthe floor while the tub filled. She’d been pretty good at keeping her guest room here incredibly tidy, each article of clothing hung up neatly. She was simply so tired. She’d pick up tomorrow.
She sank into the hot bath, letting the water ease the muscles that had locked up during the day. From hunching over her clients and from the load of tension she carried.
What would it feel like to shed some of the baggage she carried?
