Page 103 of Stay With Me

After Dad and I talk over coffee and cookies, he tells me Mom’s in bed watching her shows. I head down the hallway and peek inside to make sure she’s not asleep before walking in.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Magnolia, sweetheart.” Her face lights up when I sit on the bed next to her and wrap an arm around her for a hug.

“How’re you feelin’ today?” I ask, then sit back against the headboard, studying her over.

We share a lot of the same similarities, down to our dark hair and eyes. She looks much younger than her mid-sixties age, but she’s never been one to wear makeup, smoke, or stay out in the sun for hours.

“Oh, I’m okay.” She grins softly. “Woke up with a crick in my neck, so I’m gonna soak in the bath after supper.”

“Do you want me to massage it? I can try to rub out the knot.”

She turns back toward the TV. “No, you don’t have to. I’ll be okay.”

I nod, feeling awkward. Sometimes she’s in a chatty mood and other times we just sit in silence.

“Have you read any good books lately?” I ask when I notice the stack of hardcovers on the nightstand.

“My eyes aren’t so good anymore, so your dad’s been readin’ to me an hour each night before bed.”

“Aw, that’s cute. I’m sure Daddy loves doing that for you.”

“Sometimes I listen to the audiobooks,” she says, keeping her focus on the screen.

“I love listening to podcasts when I’m at home cleanin’ and stuff. Makes it go by faster. Maybe I’ll try an audiobook next time. Any recommendations?”

She lists off two book titles I’ve never heard of before.

“Oh, I’ll have to look them up. Might be better than listenin’ to the Wines and Crimes podcast before bed now that there’s a criminal on the loose.” I chuckle lightly although it’s not at all funny.

I stay for two more episodes ofThe Big Bang Theorybefore Dad pops in and brings Mom her afternoon snack. I suspect it has her meds in it, which is why he’s adamant she eats it.

After a few more minutes, I kiss Mom’s cheek goodbye and promise to visit her again soon.

Dad and I walk out of the bedroom and toward the kitchen where I left my bag.

“Forgot to tell ya. I ran into that ex-boyfriend of yours a few days ago at the gas station. He stopped to say hi, but I pretended I didn’t hear him and walked away. Don’t like that boy.”

I snort. “Join the club. He wants to get back together.”

His brow arches and concern flashes across his face.

“I’m not interested, don’t worry. Actually, I’m dating someone else now.”

He tilts his head. “Do I know him?”

“Technically, yes. But I don’t think you know much about him.”

“Well, out with it. Who is he?”

Nerves settle into my gut as I say the words aloud. “It’s one of Noah’s brothers, Tripp.”

He folds his arms over his beer belly. “That the goofy-lookin’ one who always looks like he’s tryna solve a math problem?”

“What?” I bark out a laugh. “Who is that?”

Probably Wilder.