“You were on the cruise of a lifetime. Your bucket list. There’s nothing you could’ve done for me. Miriam drove me home. Iris has checked in. Toby brought soup.”
“And Ulysses? Your boyfriend?”
“See article published in the paper.” I rubbed my temple. “When do you get home? Do you need me to pick you up? Did I say I would?”
“Oh, Finnegan, my love. I can hear your pain. Head?”
“Yeah, Mom.” Part of me just wanted to get amom cuddleand sink into the comfort.
“I’m good, my dear son. A couple from Hope were on the cruise, and they offered to drive me to Mission City.”
“Mission City’s not entirely on the way.”
“They don’t like driving the big highway, so they would’ve been driving through Mission City anyway. Truthfully, they would’ve driven me regardless. Charming couple. I’ve made new friends, I think.”
“Well, I’d love to meet them.” I liked the idea Mom had made new friends. She attracted people—but making enduring friendships could be tough. Especially with her hours at the hospital.
“You know, I might arrange that. Actually, they have a friend they want to introduce me to.”
“Oh?”
“A widower.”
“In Hope?”You want your mom to be happy. Hope is just an hour away. And who’s to say your mother is going to fall in love with some random stranger?
“Abbotsford. They were all professors together at the university. The couple were a few years older and have retired.”
“So this guy’s a prof?”
“Yes.” Mom chuckled. “A mismatch if I’ve ever seen one.”
“Hey.” I said that sharply. “You’re brilliant, vivacious, and any man would be lucky to meet you.”
“Oh my dear boy.” The smile was evident in her voice. “It’s just dinner.”
“Well, I want to meet him, okay? Promise?”
“How about I meet him first? Oh, they’re waving at me. I’ll be home in an hour. Should I have them drop me off at your house?”
The laptop display indicated it almost six. “Go home, Mom. Put your feet up. We can touch base tomorrow—if you’re not working.”
“I’m not. I planned for a day to resettle. I’ll worry, though.”
“I’m truly fine. Tomorrow, then?” Another day for me to get closer to healing—whatever that looked like.
“You’re tired?”
“Yeah, I really am. I might have an early night.” Totally hadn’t been the plan—but she didn’t need to know that.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. I’m glad you had a good time.”
She huffed. Then cut the line.
I smiled to myself.I did the right thing in not calling. She’ll get over her pique eventually. She always does.Not that I went out of my way to piss her off. But I was a stubborn O’Sullivan—so it was bound to happen now and again.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text.
