“Probably, but they’re the good kind.” The wordgoodwas intentional because we both knew that she’d used medication on me for different purposes over the years, but again, we weren’t drawing lines to her indiscretions. We were dancing around them.
“I was planning to do better. I laid off after you remarked about the doctor. Didn’t you notice? I barely texted you after that. I was so careful, but you came home sick for real and needed me.”
“I did, and I noticed you’re trying.”
“See? So why can’t I keep trying and forget Dr. Jacob?”
“Because it won’t last.”
“It will. I swear.”
“It won’t, Mom, and if this keeps up, you’ll drive me away for good.” I didn’t want to guilt her into therapy, but the root of her fears stemmed from losing my dad, so I took advantage. “I don’t want to shut you out of my life, and you don’t want to lose me, either. Let’s do this together. Try. Please. For me.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Yeah.” I shifted, ready to escape and crawl back into bed with Gale, but thought it wise to give her a heads-up. “Oh, I’ll be heading to Kansas today. Only one night. Not long.”
I saw the protest in her eyes, the boiling concern. Stella nodded and ducked her chin. “Okay.”
I found Gale semi-awake and smiling against my pillow like he’d surfaced after an amazing dream. His blond hair was adorably sleep-rumpled, and his cheek held a pillow imprint, making me think he’d rolled over recently.
I closed the door behind me. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”
He hummed and cracked his eyelids. “What time is it?”
“Not quite nine.”
He groaned and buried his face in the pillow. “Too early. We were up so late.”
I chuckled. “I know. Do you want breakfast? Coffee?”
He shook his head. “Can’t. I should head home and… face my dad.” He rolled to his back, the blankets shifting to reveal his bare chest. He scrubbed at his face as he stretched. “Olivia will probably be looking for me soon to ensure I don’t try to duck out of today’s run.”
“Are we driving up together?”
I expected him to say no, from fear of exposing our relationship, but he readily agreed, rolling to his side and propping himself on an elbow. “Are you busy right now?”
“No. Probably should check in with the guys soon, but why? What’s up?”
“Will you come home with me?”
I tilted my head, peering inquisitively.
“I thought…” Gale picked at the comforter, avoiding eye contact. “It might be easier to tell Dad if you’re there backing me up. I won’t be able to chicken out as easily. I’m nervous.”
My heart melted, and I approached, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Of course I’ll go with you. I have to drop you off anyway. I picked you up yesterday, remember?”
“Oh, right.” He laughed. “I forgot.”
“I’ll hold you up if you need me to, Gale, but I bet you would do fine on your own. You already said your dad would be cool.”
“I know. You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
The day was heating up by the time we rolled down the lane leading to Gale’s house. His nerves surfaced the instant we were in the car. I rested a hand on his bouncing knee as I drove, hoping to give him strength. I’d never really had a coming-out moment with my mother. She’d found out through the rumor mill, and we rolled from there. I could respect Gale’s anxiety. He was a gentle soul who didn’t react well to the harsher edges of society. I hoped letting his family in would give him a greater sense of inner peace.
The rumble of a riding mower sounded from somewhere out of sight as we got out of the car.
