A part of her wasn’t surprised Tracey was adopted. That explained a lot of things, especially the fact that Tracey wasn’t anything like Mimi, in looks or personality. But there had been plenty of opportunities for Mimi to tell Riley the truth. Not just about the adoption, but about the money.
A volcano of emotions erupted inside her. The memories of the times she’d cried alone in strange places, wishing her grandmother would rescue her, only to be disappointed again and again. This was just another in a long list of disappointments and pain. That she could feel anything at all right now was a marvel.
Then suddenly everything shut off inside until she was numb. She looked at Mimi, who was leaning against the table, pain evident on her face.
“I’m leaving Tuesday,” Riley said, the chill back in her tone. “I already booked my flight.”
“Riley, please.” Mimi held her hands together, almost begging. “Sit down. We need to talk this through.”
“No, we don’t.” She turned and went upstairs, quickly packed her things, and came back down. Mimi was in the living room, wincing and limping more than usual as she made her way to the recliner. She practically fell into it.
Seeing her grandmother suffering almost stopped Riley. But she firmed up her resolve.
“Where are you going?” Mimi asked.
“I don’t know.” She opened the door. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Riley—”
She let the door shut as she walked out.
Her eyes were dry as she walked down the road, the suitcase dragging behind her. As she made her way down her grandmother’s road in the muggy heat, her mind began to clear a bit. Where was she going to go? She still had to figure out how to get to the airport, although that would be solved easily with an Uber. But her flight wasn’t until Tuesday. And she was almost back to where she’d been financially when she arrived in Maple Falls. She’d only received two paychecks from Mimi and was slated to get a third this week. Most of that had gone to buying an airline ticket on short notice, and she had put a little bit more into buying art supplies and canvases for the artwork she was going to make for the store. That was never going to happen now.
She walked at least another mile, until she was so hot and sweaty and thirsty she had to stop. She couldn’t walk aimlessly around Maple Falls for the next two days. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
“Riley?” Bea’s confused voice came out of the speaker.
“Can I stay with you tonight?” She’d figure out where she would land tomorrow night later.
“Is something wrong with Erma?”
“No.” What was one more lie in a lifetime of lies?
A pause. “Well, of course you can.”
“Would you mind picking me up?” She gave Bea her location.
“I’ll be right there, honey. Won’t take me but a jiff to jump in the car.”
“Thanks.” She turned off her phone and stuck it in her pocket. Emotionless, she moved to a shade tree on the side of the street and waited for Bea. Her heart had been so filled with pain after pushing Hayden away. It was empty now.
She felt... nothing.
***
The next morning, Riley woke to a huge breakfast spread, more than she could possibly eat. Bacon, eggs, sausage, fresh biscuits slathered in butter, orange juice, coffee, milk, apple turnovers, and blueberry muffins.
“I fixed you a little something,” Bea said, plopping a platter of hotcakes on the table.
“I see.” Riley blanched, still full from the huge meal Bea made last night. One thing she had forgotten about Bea was that the woman cooked when she was upset or nervous. Riley’s suspicion was confirmed when Billy, Bea’s husband, who had somehow stayed thin and wiry for the fifty-three years he and Bea had been married, walked into the kitchen and put his arm around her plump shoulders.
“Looks good, honey.” He kissed her round cheek, then sat down at the table. “Doesn’t it, Riley?”
“Very good.” She didn’t know how she was going to force down even a fraction of this food, but she wasn’t going to reject it either. “Thank you, Bea.”
“You’re welcome.” She sat down and mopped her brow with one of the napkins on the table. “Now, let’s say grace, and then we’ll eat.”
Riley bowed her head, but her mind was as empty as her heart. When the prayer was over, she saw Bea piling food on a plate. She handed it to Billy, who promptly dove in as she began adding food to another plate, then gave it to Riley.
