Page 51

HADLEY

“Where are we going? This isn’t even the right area.”

I know this isn’t where his brother lives, because we are about a mile from where my mother lives, and there’s no way a wealthy as fuck Bonetti lives here.

The corners of his mouth lift up into a knowing smirk.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I question, as he chuckles softly.

“I thought you might like to have a coffee.”

Opening my mouth to speak again, I quickly snap it shut, as we pull up in front of my mother’s trailer. I must be seeing things. This can’t be real. My mother sits at a patio table in the front of her home. She is not in bed. Her eyes meet mine, as I jump out of the car.

“Mom?”

“Hadley,” she says with an emotion filled gaze, as she opens her arms, encouraging a hug from me. I run to her, as a sob erupts from my chest. I don’t understand what’s happening but my mother spoke, said my name, and now I’m in her arms. It feels like she died, and years later, has been brought back to life. The loss of my mother felt as real as the loss of my father.

“Sit,” she says, as I spot three cups of coffee on the patio table, and sit between my mother and Massimo. He winks at me when I glance at him.

“See. Coffee.”

“Why? When?”

He takes my hand and lifts it to his lips, kissing the back gently.

“I told you I’d get specialists to see your mother, and that’s what I did. Why? For you, Hadley. I can’t give your father back to you, but this I could do.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat, and turn to my mom.

“Are you okay?”

Reaching up, my mom gently touches the bruises on my face, as she exhales a sad sigh.

“I hate that he did this to you, and I know, without asking, it wasn't the first time. I’m sorry.”

A tear rolls down my cheek, as she brushes it away with all the tenderness you’d expect a mother to have.

“I’m okay. Now, are you okay?”

She nods and admits, “I have a lot to make up for, and I will, but it’ll take time. I’m a work in progress. Some days are better than others, but I have the right doctors and therapist now. Thanks to Massimo.”

I look her over, like I’m checking for injuries, but it’s because I’m still having trouble believing that what’s in front of me is real.

“Mr. Bonetti didn’t-”

She holds her hand up, telling me to stop talking, and I do.

“We had bad information, and I think we both know that now. I’ve made so many mistakes, Hadley. You’re a stranger to me now, and that’s my doing. I hope you’ll let me at least try to fix things between us.”

We drink our coffee, and talk about everything past and present. It feels good to have my mother back. I don’t want to leave her here, but I know we can’t stay here all day.

I glance at Massimo with a questioning look, and as if he understands my thoughts, he nods slowly.

“Mom, we have to go see Mama Bonetti. Would you like to come? I’m sure she’d want to see you.”

I’m really not all that sure if that’s the truth, but I go with it anyway, hoping it’s the case.

She shakes her head no, and speaks after a sad smile crosses her face.

“No, honey. Not today. Baby steps, and today should be about you. I would like it if you’d go with me soon to your father’s grave.”

I nod. “And Michael’s.”

My mother sighs, with her hand over her heart.

“I will never forgive myself for not being his grandmother. I should have been there, but I was barely aware of anything outside of my grief.”

She’s not wrong, and I am not sure I’ll ever understand how it happened. How do you lose yourself like that, and all but forget you have a daughter who needs you?

Rising from my chair, I hug my mom.

“I love you. I’m glad you’re back where you belong.”

Massimo growls.

“This is not where she fucking belongs, and she’s moving, as soon as I find an appropriate house for her.”

Both my mother and I exchange a glance, but neither of us says a word. Leaving is hard, because I worry that, when I come back, things will be back the way they were. For now, I try to enjoy the gift he has given me.

“Thank you,” I whisper when we get back into the car.