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And he was probably right to limit our sexual interaction. Maybe he was thinking more clearly than I was on that matter. After all, he had more experience. I tapped my spoon on the plastic bowl. Would he still be seeing other girls? Could I ask him not to? No, I had no right. I let my head fall back against the wall behind me, grimacing as I pictured him with another girl in his bed, doing the things we had done.

I put my empty bowl on the coffee table and wrapped my arms around myself. Clearly, I was already doing badly at separating my body from my heart.

An engine sounded outside my trailer, followed by doors slamming and then footsteps. I bolted up, flinging the door open.

Marlo and Sam and my mama, supported by both of them, were almost at the door.

“Mama,” I breathed when I saw her, reaching my hand outside the door to take hers as she walked up the steps. She gave me a small, tired smile and stepped into the trailer. Marlo and Sam followed her. I quickly moved the blanket I’d been using aside on the couch and made a place for her.

“Sweetheart, I’d like to lie down,” Mama said weakly.

“Of course, Mama,” I whispered, shooting a questioning look at Marlo, who looked tired. She smiled, though, and gave me a reassuring nod, indicating Mama was okay.

I led Mama to the small bedroom she and Marlo shared in the back of the trailer and she lay down on the bed. I removed her shoes and brought her quilt up over her. “Thank you, Tenleigh.” She reached her hand out for me and I took it, sitting beside her on the bed.

Her expression was filled with sadness. “I’m so sorry, baby. So sorry.”

My eyes filled with tears. “I just want you to get better, Mama.”

“Me too. I just can’t quite figure out how. It’s all such a mess. I’m such a mess. I try to stop it, baby, I really do. But when the darkness comes…” Her words faded as she squeezed her eyes shut.

“I love you, Mama. No matter what, I love you.”

Tears slipped from her eyes. “I know you do, baby. And that makes it better. It does.” She turned on her side, seeming to be done talking for now, looking sleepy; she was probably medicated. I smoothed her dark hair back out of her face and watched as her pretty features relaxed into sleep.

I sat there for a few more minutes, gathering myself, and then I left her alone to rest, closing her bedroom door behind me.

“She seems better,” I said to Marlo quietly. Marlo and Sam were sitting on the couch, Sam’s elbows resting on his knees as he looked around our trailer. If he was shocked by the size and condition of our living situation, he didn’t show it. He’d probably seen worse if he’d made any house calls.

“She is. For now,” Marlo said and sighed. We knew the drill. How long she’d be better was the mystery.

“Well, Sam, thank you for your help this weekend,” Marlo said, standing, clearly dismissing him.

He raised his eyebrows as if he hadn’t been expecting the instant dismissal yet got up to leave. “Of course. Are you sure you don’t need me to…?” he trailed off, seeming to be unsure of what to offer exactly.

“No. We’re good now. Thank you.”

Well, this is uncomfortable.

“Thank you so much, Sam,” I said, reaching my hand out to him and offering a warm smile. “It was so kind of you—”

“My pleasure.” He glanced shyly at Marlo who was biting her nail. “If you can think of anything at all that you need, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

I nodded and Marlo started walking him toward the door. “Oh,” he said, turning back around and almost colliding with her. They both laughed uncomfortably, color staining his cheekbones. He really was a handsome man—sort of nerdy with his glasses and parted hair, but he had definite potential. He seemed to really like her, if his awkward, bumbling behavior around her was any indication.

He took what looked like a pharmacy bag out of his pocket. “Make sure your mother takes this just as instructed. The doctor seemed like he was optimistic that this cocktail would really work well for her.”

We’d been optimistic before.

Marlo nodded. “I will. Thank you again.”

He hesitated for just a second, but then he smiled and nodded at both of us and walked out the door of our trailer, shutting it firmly behind him. A few seconds later, we heard his car start up.

Marlo dropped down on the couch and let out a loud sigh.

I sat down next to her and turned my body toward her. She looked at me sideways. “I should be very upset with you, little sister.”