Page 70 of Estranged Heart

“It wasn’t. I haven’t seen Stacey in a few days. It was a friend of mine.”

She stands aside, allowing me to walk past her. “Why didn’t you bring him in? Didn’t want him to meet your embarrassing mother?”

“Of course not, Ma. It’s late.” I set my bag on the couch. “He has to get up early.”

She closes the door, resting a hand on her hip. “Well, next time you’ll have to ask him in.”

“Yeah.” I scratch at the back of my neck, thinking about how I can’t fault Elijah for not being ready to let someone new into his world when I’m not sure I am either. “Yeah, maybe. Oh, I got you something,” I say, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. I hold the desserts in front of her and she takes the bag from my hand, tilting her head.

“What is it?”

“Go ahead and look.”

She peeks into the bag. “Pastries?”

“Not just any pastries. The best fruit tarts I’ve ever had.”

My distraction works because she heads into the kitchen, pulling one of the tarts from the bag. I fix us both some coffeeand we sit at the table to talk, but I’m quickly wishing for a new distraction when my mom starts talking about Stacey.

“You think you two will be able to work it out eventually?”

I stir a spoon in my cup. “I don’t think so, Ma. I think we’re better off going in different directions at this point. Our relationship has been crumbling for a long time, and I don’t think I love her the way I used to.” And there it is. I’ve said it out loud, but not to her. “Both of us deserve a loving marriage and I don’t think we can give that to each other anymore.”

Sighing, her eyes soften and she lays a hand on mine. “Oh, honey, I hadn’t realized it had gotten that bad. You know your happiness is what’s always mattered most to me. If you truly feel this is the right thing to do, then I’m behind you a hundred percent.”

I lower my gaze. “That, and you never really liked Stacey.”

“Oh, I liked her just fine, but I did find it odd she was never home when I’d show up with food.”

“She works a lot and was paying all the bills.”

“Yes, but you were really sick and we could have lost you that day.”

“I was but I’m not anymore. I’m here.” I wrap my fingers around hers.

“You are and that’s the most important thing.”

After I help her clean off the table and load the dishwasher, I head to the guest room with my bag and smile when I look down at my vibrating phone.

Elijah: It was nice being in a bed with you today.

Me:Better than a tent?

Elijah: Maybe a little. Fewer sticks and rocks, that’s for sure.

I huff out a laugh.

Me:I don’t know, I didn’t mind them too much. They kind of went with the moment.

Elijah: They did. What do you think will go with our next one?

Me: You’ll have to wait and see. I better get to bed before I pass out while I’m talking to you and wake up with my phone dropping on my face.

Elijah:Yeah, we wouldn’t want that. Night, Sunshine. Sleep on whatever endeavor you plan to drag me on next.

I don’t need to because I already know what it’ll be and when.

Me: Go skating with me this Saturday.