Page 36 of Loving Taylor

"Hi, Mr. Carter," Sally, my mother's live-in nurse greeted me when she opened the door and ushered me inside. She was an experienced nurse in her late thirties who had come highly recommended.

"Sally," I greeted her with a nod. My eyes swept the living room to find my mother sitting with a blanket over her legs. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. She looked so happy to see me and I felt a pang of guilt that I didn't feel the same.

I dropped my bag by the entrance and made my way to my mom to give her a kiss on the cheek. Her hands gripped my face as she pressed a kiss to the side of my face.

"It's so good to see you," my mom said, releasing my face to tightly grab my hand. It was like she was scared to let me go.

"You look well," I said. I looked a lot like my mom. She had the same dark hair as me but her eyes were a dark brown. I hadn’t met my father but I assumed my blue eyes were inherited from him.

She looked much older than her age. Her skin was pale and drawn, adding at least ten years to her features.

"I feel good," she added and her smile increased. "Especially now that you're here."

I wanted to feel the same but I didn't. And I wondered if I ever would.