Quickly she reached over to grab the phone and saw it was a text from Wren.
Carefully, she pulled Lance’s arm away from her torso and climbed out of bed, stopping only to throw on her summer robe.The embroidery her mother had lovingly stitched into the robe was fading, and in some places the stitches needed to be replaced, but she still kept it.It was a reminder that someone cared enough to spend hours creating this whimsical garment with her in mind.A reminder of a mother–daughter bond that was still strong, though she’d lost her mother to the next life years ago.
She softly closed the door to the bedroom and went to her favorite chair in the sitting room, curling up to read the texts and reply.
Wren:I don’t know what Mac told you, but I’m fine.
The second message said,I have a job at a pub here in Calgary for the summer.
Why did Wren always feel the need to go on the defensive?Wouldn’t a simple “Hi, Mom, how are you?”have been a better way to start?
She read the text again and considered her reply.Her daughter was still online.Her heart beat faster.Maybe today she would solve the mystery of why Wren hadn’t reached out to her.
Raven:How are you?
Wren:Fine.Busy.
Raven:Are you planning to come out for a visit at all this summer?
Wren:Dunno.I’ve got a job.
Raven:Are you planning to go back to school in the fall?
Wren:Don’t worry about me.I’m a big girl now.
Raven:Yes, but that doesn’t answer my question.
Before she pressed send, she added,And sometimes even big girls have problems that they need help facing.
Wren:You never needed help.
To that Raven almost laughed out loud, before remembering Lance still snoozing in the other room.If only Wren knew how untrue that was.How many nights had she lain awake, wondering what she would do next?How many times had it just been sheer stubbornness that held her together?
Raven:Rosalyn helped me.Mal helps me.And others.Everyone needs help, Wren.In fact, it’s too bad you’re there.We’re planning to expand.If you decide you want to work with animals this summer instead of pulling pints…
Wren:Can I live at Roslyn’s place?
The question felt like a door closing in her face.
Raven’s face fell, and tears welled.How was it this girl she loved so much, had done so much for, could hurt her so easily?
Raven:Well, Mal and Daisy are renting it now.But your room is still here.If you ever want to visit.
She read the message again.Wren might take it the wrong way if she called it a visit.Like she wouldn’t be welcome.So she added,Even if your visit lasts months or years.
Wren:Gotta go.Don’t worry.I’m fine.
Raven saw Wren’s online status go off, and Raven felt like crying.How had they become so distant?Wren hadn’t even asked how Raven was doing.What if she was sick or in trouble?How had Wren become so self-involved?So guarded?Sighing, Raven added one more text to the long thread of disappointing discourse.
Raven:I love you, Wren.
There was no answer, so she set the phone down on the coffee table and went over to the kitchen to start the coffee.
When she headed back to the bedroom, Lance lying on his back with an arm casually flung above his head, staring at the ceiling.What was he seeing up there?Hopefully no cobwebs.Or spiders.She almost looked up to follow his gaze, but noticed he was now looking at her.
“Good morning.”He smiled widely.“You’re up early.”
“Well, I look after cats, not books,” she said.
