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She didnt look anything like herself; rather, she looked like a frail old woman whod been beaten by more than someones fists—by life itself

"Hey, Cloud," Tully said, surprised to find that her throat was tight She gently stroked her mothers temple, the only place on her face that wasnt bloodied or bruised As she felt the velvety soft skin, she realized that the last time shed touched her mother had been in 1970, when theyd held hands on that crowded Seattle street

She wished she knehat to say to this woman, hom she had a history but no present So she just talked She told her about the show and her life and how successful shed become When that started to sound hollow and desperate, she talked about Kate and their fight and how it had left her feeling so alone As the words formed the the Ryans and Mularkeys had left her devastatingly alone Cloud was all she had left How pathetic was that?

"Were all alone in this world, havent you figured that out by now?"

Tully hadnt noticed herat Tully through tired eyes "Hey," she said, s her eyes "What happened to you?"

"I got beat up "

"I wasnt asking what put you in the hospital I was asking what happened to you "

Cloud flinched and turned away "Oh That I guess your precious grandhed "It doesnt matter now "

Tully drew in a sharp breath This was the ful conversation theyd ever had; she felt poised on the edge of some essential discovery that had eluded her for all her years "I think it does "

"Go away, Tully " Cloud turned her face into the pillow

"Not until you tell me why " Her voice trembled on that question; of course it did "Why didnt you ever love me?"

"Forget about me "

"Honestly, I wish I could But youre my mother "

Cloud turned back and stared at her, and for a er than it took to blink, Tully saw sadness in her mothers eyes "You break my heart," she said quietly

"You break mine, too "