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Sidney looked in surprise when her mom called out her name.

She was at the security office and Amadeus was on his phone standing next to her.

“Oh hey, Sidney,” he said, putting his phone back in his pocket. “I was just calling Lucius.”

“He’s on the way here with Jupiter,” she said. She left Celeste and Rhomi and walked to her mom. “What are you doing here?”

Her mom looked tired and frazzled. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair was in a messy bun.

“I didn’t know where you were,” she said. “I came to find you.”

“How did you know I was here?” she asked.

“Well, I didn’t,” she said.

At that moment, Lucius and Jupiter walked up, and Lucius put his arm around Sidney. “Linda, hey. What are you doing here?”

“I was just telling Sidney,” she said. “I was out picking up supplies at a strip mall in Kennispark and I walked by a jewelry store and saw you in there at the counter. I kept walking, but I saw you walk out with a bag from the jeweler and get into a vehicle with the park’s logo on it, so I figured you were coming back here and you’d know where Sidney was.” She paused then said, “I realized you were moving on without me, Sidney. You’re going to get married and I wasn’t even asked if I approved of the engagement because I made such a mess of everything.”

Sidney’s brain picked up a few key words right then: jewelry, engagement, marriage.

She looked at Lucius, whose eyes were wide and lips were pressed into a thin line.

Her mom had stopped talking, her gaze darting between Sidney and Lucius.

She put her hands to her mouth with a gasp. “Oh no. You…didn’t know.”

Lucius shook his head.

Her mom groaned. “I’m sorry. Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Mom, it’s okay,” Sidney said. “Let’s go talk in the employee cafeteria instead of out in the open here.”

Lucius nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Sidney mouthed I’m sorry , and he shook his head and smiled, mouthing No worries with a wink.

Her stomach flipped as they walked to the cafeteria with her mom, saying goodbye to the others. Had Lucius bought an engagement ring for her? Was he going to propose? Holy crap .

Once they were in the cafeteria, they sat at a table near the windows and Sidney offered her mom something to drink from the refrigerators in the kitchen area.

“No thanks, honey.” She reached across the table and squeezed Sidney’s hands.

“So tell me what’s going on,” Sidney said.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said. “I was so angry when you told me that you wanted to quit and move out because I felt like you were abandoning me. This week without you has honestly been so difficult, and it’s not just that you were a vital part of the salon, but that I missed us living together.” She paused and her eyes were shining with unshed tears. “Honey, I haven’t lived by myself since I married your dad the day after I graduated from high school. I got pregnant right away, and he and I worked so hard to make the salon a reality. I always dreamed you’d want to follow in my footsteps but I know you didn’t want to, I know your heart was never there.

“Your dad told me to let you go and let you live your life, but he died and then I needed you. I needed you at the salon and I needed you at the apartment because I didn’t want to be alone.”

“I didn’t want to be alone either,” she said. “But I also didn’t want to work at the salon. I gave up a lot of myself to be there for you, Mom, it killed me a little bit every day.”

“I know.” She squeezed Sidney’s hand gently. “Delia showed me the portrait of her dog you did for her and it was so amazing. I realized I never gave you any credit for the hard work you put in learning to draw and how artistic you are. It’s honestly incredible to me that you can look at an animal and draw it and it looks so real! I wanted to reach out, but I was so embarrassed by the way I acted. I wanted to tell you that it was too fast for you and Lucius to move in together, you’d only known each other for the weekend, but honestly? I met your dad when I was a senior in high school and he'd already graduated. The day I met him, if he’d asked me to run away with him? I would have packed a bag and gone.”

“Grandma would have been pissed,” she said with a laugh.

“Oh yeah for sure. Even being together for my senior year and then getting married, everyone thought it was too fast. But I know what it’s like to meet your soulmate and find the other part of yourself.” She looked at Lucius. “When I saw you in the jewelry store I panicked. I rushed over here and asked the man in the security office to find Sidney and he said he was going to call you. And then I ruined whatever you were planning and I’m so incredibly sorry. I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry that I wasn’t gracious when you offered to hire a temp for me, and I’m sorry I didn’t help you pack, and mainly? That I didn’t tell you how happy I am that you’re happy, Sidney. I love you so much.”

Sidney’s eyes stung with tears. She pushed back the chair and rose to her feet, coming around the table to hug her mom. As her mom stood up and hugged her, Sidney said, “I love you too, Mom.”

“Oh honey, you’re moving on with your life and I should have let you do that years ago when you asked me to help you with art school. I’m sorry I messed up so much, and I’m sorry I was afraid to be alone. It’s not your job to watch over me, I’m supposed to help you out. I wish I could turn back time, but all I can do is say I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you.”

They hugged again and then sat once more.

“So where are you living?” her mom asked.

Lucius said, “I have an apartment in the complex at the back of the park for employees.”

“How nice. Short commute. Are you working here too, Sidney, or are you going to go to school?”

“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “I’ve just been enjoying hanging out and sketching.”

“Speaking of sketching,” her mom said. “Would you sketch me something for the salon? I’ll pay whatever your going rate is from your online store. You know what I like, something with birds and butterflies? I’ll hang it up behind reception.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Her mom had never once asked Sidney to draw something for her.

She could have cried all over again.

“How’s it going at the salon? You look a little stressed.”

“I was stressed because you and I were on the outs and it was all my fault. But the salon is doing great. Delia’s youngest sister is going to cosmetology school and took your job. She started Tuesday and is so happy to sweep and wash hair, and she’s great with the customers.”

“I’m glad that worked out, I hated how we left things.”

“Me too. But you should come to the salon anytime you need a haircut, and you too, Lucius. I’m pretty good with a pair of clippers.”

“I will, thanks.”

They talked for a little while longer, and then her mom said, “I should get back. I left Delia in charge and said I’d bring back lunch. She probably thinks I fell in a hole.”

Sidney and Lucius walked her out to her car, and Sidney said, “I can’t believe you bought a ticket to come here and look for me.”

“Worth it,” she said. “So next Sunday, I’d love if you would come for dinner. I’ll make your favorite.”

“Oh, meatloaf with sweet glaze and mashed potatoes?”

“You bet.”

“Yum.” She looked at Lucius. “My mom makes the best meatloaf on the planet.”

“Can’t wait to try it,” he said.

Linda hugged Lucius and whispered something to him, and he chuckled and then nodded. “I promise,” Lucius said.

“Promise what?” Sidney asked as she hugged her mom.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. Love you so much.”

“Love you too.”

She waved as her mom pulled out of the parking spot and drove down the aisle toward the exit. Lucius put his arm around her and they walked toward the front gate.

“What did she say?” she asked.

“She said welcome to the family.”

Sidney glanced at him. “Is that all she said?”

“Um, she also said that she has a rifle and a shovel, so I’d better treat you right.

Sidney barked out a laugh. “Now that sounds like my mom.”

“She’s a momma bear at heart.”

“Definitely.”