Page 35 (1/2)

Ollie

“Mom?” I walk inside the house and scan the area It’s our habit to get together every feeeks for Sunday brunch, just the two of us We have a family dinner once a month with everyone, but this is our sacred time Since the robbery, she’s made it her business to check on me two and three ti me up the wall

“I’m in the kitchen, baby?

?

I follow the sound of her soft voice to the island where she’s drinking a cup of tea Her brunette hair is streaked liberally with gray and the crow’s feet around her eyes and mouth are deeper

“How are you feeling?” she asks The kindness in the blue eyes so siut

How can I stay ?

“I’ well, and the soreness is fading I’ll get the green light to return to work in another week or so”

She frowns so deep her brows nearly kiss Here we go “Should you be rushing back?”

“Mo stir crazy There’s only so much television and books a person can consume for entertainment”

She sighs “You never liked to stay in one place doing the sah to do things alone, you were always on the go I wasn’t surprised at all when you left hoo skate around the world”

“It was my passion I had to follow it as far as I possibly could, or I alould’ve wondered Besides, college wasn’t for me I could never thrive there Not when I had no direction I would’ve been going to please you, and in the end, it would’ve been a waste of good money”

“And I knew that It’s why I never spoke a word against your decision It was an incredible opportunity to see the world and do what you love I was proud of you I’m still proud I hope you know that”

My stomach drops This sounds like a build-up to bad news “Mom, are you okay?”

“I aht of all the things I hadn’t said or didn’t say enough” She sniffs and I walk over to pull her into a side hug She’s finally breaking down and opening up I knew this ether to be strong for me Now that I’m on the mend, it’s a different story I know s until it’s safe in her o