Her pain struck a dagger through my heart. “It wasn’t about that at all, Ames. It was because you’re my sister, and I want the best for you.”
She didn’t look even remotely convinced.
“Please, Ames, don’t think it’s got anything to do with your having CP. I promise it’s not—”
“That feels like exactly what this is. Just because I’m disabled doesn’t mean I can’t make decisions on my own!”
“Ames, this has nothing to do with your disability.” I searched her face, trying to get her to feel my sincerity, but her mouth was tight and I saw a wounded guardedness in her eyes that absolutely killed me.
This was my worst nightmare. This was what she’d battled all her life, ignorant people thinking differently of her. That she’d put me in that category wrenched my heart so painfully, my hand clutched at my chest.
She creased her forehead. “So, you’re thinking I’d come back because I felt I owed Mum? Because she worked in an officeall day, and often in the pub on weekends, so I could have all the support and physical therapies I needed?”
“She gave a lot to me too. All those trips away for sport, helping me out when my apprentice wages weren’t enough to cover the bills, helping me set up my business, spending hours doing my paperwork.” Thinking about all the selfless hours and emotional support she’d given me tugged at me hard. “And I promised Dad before he died that I’d take care of you and Mum, and I take that promise seriously.”
She did a double take. “This wasn’t what he meant. Dad didn’t take action over every single event in his life, trying to control everything like you’re doing here.”
That knocked me speechless because her words rang…true. Dad was more of a quiet listener.
Amy leaned toward me. “How about this? I’m not going to quit London, I’m not heading back here, and I’m not going to chip in for this memory care place you’ve organized for her.”
“What?” I was relieved she wasn’t giving up on her dream, and I’d never wanted her to chip in. But I searched deep in her face. Her reply was confusing because she would do anything for family.
“Because Mum is not going to live in a castle. Tim, don’t you see? Look around. Look at this flat she’s lived in, we lived in. Three bedrooms—barely, because your bedroom is a cupboard—with a kitchenette, living room, and a back porch. No other rooms to speak of.”
“Well, exactly, and that’s why she deserves more. And I want to give it to her.”
“But she’s been happy here, Dad was happy here, and we were happy here too. And now you’re going to send her to a place she’s not familiar with? I know her mind is slipping. But it sounds like, for now, she’s still herself some of the time, and she will be miserable. I mean, what life experiences will she sharewith the residents there? The other people will be rich, have traveled, gone to posh restaurants, wear fancy clothes. Nope. We’re sending her to Sunny Pastures, which is a ten-minute walk from here. Dreadful name, but it’s simple, clean, friendly, and she’ll know people there.”
Anger rose up in me, constricting my throat.Amy hasn’t been involved, and now she’s suddenly making decisions?
“But Sunny Pastures doesn’t have a pool or beautiful grounds.” I shook my head, frustrated. “You know how she loves the water and nature.”
Amy threw up her hands, exasperated. “They can take her to the public pool. They can take her for walks along the riverbank.” She softened. “Tim, I’ve seen the groups walking past here to the river. The staff wear the T-shirts.”
I was silent, still fuming that Amy was trying to take over, and then irritated by the fact that I was trying to find arguments to counter her logic and…couldn’t.
Then her face dropped. “Holy Mother of God. That’s why you took on that reality show, isn’t it? For the money. You didn’t tell me yet, because you figured you’d win and then could pay for that fancy facility on your own.”
I shuffled tensely.
“I almost thought it was because Tabitha was in it, and that was bizarre too, because she wasn’t someone who wanted attention.”
At Tabitha’s name, my head snapped up and my chest tightened.
“What does Tabitha think of this?” she asked.
Sheepishly, I scraped a hand through my hair. “She was not happy when she found out I had still not told you.”
“You asked her to keep it from me?” Her voice rose, horrified.
“I swore her to secrecy and promised her I’d tell you immediately and not to say anything if she saw you. But…I didn’t tell you because, yes—I was waiting for the win. And Tabs knows I messed that up too.”
“You put her in such an awkward position, asking her to lie to me.” She gave me an unrelenting glare.
“Yeah, I did. And I made another big mistake. Now, we’re not…” I couldn’t even say the words. Fuck. The day couldn’t get any worse. “She wants a…break,” I forced out.
“Why? What happened?” Her features softened. “You were the happiest I’d ever seen you.”
