“I guess not,” he said. He felt a little guilty that he hadn’t called her about the case of his missing birth family. It had been a week. She must wonder why it was taking him so long to decide.
He had to look at her then. In her eyes, he saw compassion and maybe a few unshed tears. “I’m sorry I haven’t reached out—” he began.
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. You’re dealing with a lot. I’d be curled up in a corner somewhere.”
“I don’t think you would.”
“If it weremymom? Are you kidding me?” She glanced over at the woman as she said it.
Erica Rio’s eyes beamed kindness and comfort when she caught his, even though she was chatting with his mom’s co-workers.
Camellia said, “I’d lose it. I know I would. We’re so close. I can’t even think about the fact that she’s not getting any younger.”
“Looks to me like she’s got a couple of decades left in her, at least,” he said. “Look at those pink cheeks. And she’s a retired nurse. She knows how to take care of herself.”
Camellia tipped her head to one side. Her messy bun of multihued hair slid a little sideways. “Areyoutrying to comfortme, Wolf? You’re the one grieving. I’m just…empathizing, I guess.”
“It’s appreciated.”
She lowered her head, then said, “Are you doing a whole reception thing at your house after, or…?”
“I didn’t feel like I could…have folks in her space. She would’ve hated it.”
“I picked up on that from her,” she said, meeting his eyes again. “She hated having to tell me about her history. She was a very private person, wasn’t she?”
“Extremely, yeah.”
“I guess it makes sense, now that we know what we do. Have you done any more reading? Of the diaries?”
“A little. Mainly I’ve been talking with the funeral director and doing all the…things. There are a lot of things. Bank accounts, life insurance payout, the death certificate…with her legal name and actual birthdate, which I had, thanks to you.”
She frowned at him.
“I got a packet of documents from the lawyer,” he said.
“Oh. Yeah, I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
“Oh.” He shrugged. “There was quite a bit of the insurance money left after the funeral expenses,” he said. “I was thinking of upgrading her headstone.”
“She knew there would be extra,” Camellia said. “She told me to tell you she wants you to use it to fix up your truck.”
He expelled an almost-laugh. “Shewouldsay that.”
“It was one of her last wishes. I think you have to do it.”
A hand on his arm made him turn. Camellia’s mother had come to join them, and she gave his upper arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Wolf,” she said.
“I know you are, Erica. Thanks for coming.”
She looked at him, then around at folks all leaving, then back at him again. “Come for dinner. It’s leftovers, but comfort food. Lasagna!”
“You don’t have to do that, ma’am. I’m fine.”
“Don’thaveto. Want to. Besides you can talk about the uh—the case, you know.”
“Mom.” Camellia’s tone was gentle, but warning.
“The case of your missing family,” Erica went on. “Where are they?Whoare they? You must want to know.”
