“I was seeing if you were having a family emergency. Maybe needed a lift home.” He smiled—but it wasn’t a nice smile.
“Dream on. I’m not dropping out. I earned my place.”
His brows knit together. “I know you did.”
Mom’s voice cut through the static again. “Nora Rose, is that your boyfriend?”
John’s eyes narrowed. So, he heard that too.
Mom’s voice kept rising in pitch, repeating my name. I ignored her for one more second.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to John, “because I, for one, care about this.”
He sighed and straightened. “Don’t let Charlene wait too long.”
I exhaled as he walked away and finally brought the phone back to my ear.
“Hey, Mom, sorry, I was?—”
“Nora Rose, what is going on? Who was that?” Her voice teetered on the edge of hysteria. I could practicallyseeher pacing the kitchen, pulling out baking supplies.
I suddenly felt awful. I shouldn’t have lied. I shouldn’t let her get her hopes up—about me, about grandkids. Maybe it was better to just tell her the truth. Over the phone, at least I wouldn’t have to see her face when it shattered.
“Where are you?”
“Mom—” I began.
“I googled him.”
“You googledwhom?”
“John Kater. The man you said you’re dating.”
A pang of sheer panic shot through me. “You did what? How do you evenknowwhat Google is?”
There was a pause.
Not good.
“Nora Rose, just because I’m beyond fifty doesn’t mean I can’t find my way around the internet. Also, Carol’s daughter was kind enough to assist.”
I groaned internally. This was worse than I’d imagined. Had she gone around the neighborhood telling people I was dating a celebrity? Somehow, I hadn’t considered that possibility. She barely left the house anymore.
“It can’t be him, right?Theauthor? Did you meet at the shop?”
“Mom...” I started, but nothing else came. Silence settled between us—loaded with shame, regret, and quiet accusation.
“Did you make up a story, Nora?” she finally asked. “Where are you really?”
The opening was right there. I could tell her. But how could I bring upanythingrelated to Dad, when just moving one of his things made her fall apart?
“Mom, it’s not like that.”
“Youdoknow what day it is, don’t you?”
Her voice had thickened.
I blinked, confused for a second. Then I saw the chalkboard agenda. The date scrawled at the top.
