And I had. Many times over the years. Because where Liliana Flynn, my mother, lacked, Mel Warner, Addie’s mama, did not.
I glanced at my friend now with an apologetic look as I pulled the take-away coffee cup out of reach again.
“Sorry,” I said. “Can’t get on Mama’s bad side.”
“Suck up.”
“So you look… good,” I said, taking in the purple, black, and green marring the side of her face that had been nearest the driver’s side window.
“You should see the other guy,” she said, giving me a crooked smile and then wincing. “Hey Ma, can you ask them about the pain pills again?”
“I’ve got it,” Pa said and then disappeared out the door.
“He hates seeing her like this,” Mama said and I nodded. Me too.
“Here we are,” Pa said, returning not even a minute later, a nurse on his heels holding a small cup with what I assumed were the coveted pills.
The three of us stayed for an hour and then Addie’s folks stood to go with promises to be back after lunch.
“Feel better, girly,” Pa said, leaning down to gently kiss the side of Addie’s head that wasn’t bruised and stitched. “We’ll be back soon.”
“With ice cream?” she asked, meeting my eyes with her one good one and then frowning. “Wait. What day is it?”
“Monday,” Mama said.
I knew what was coming next before she said it because Addie kept better track of me than anyone else in my life. Including my agent.
“You’re supposed to be going to Japan,” she said.
“Why do you even remember that right now?” I asked, shaking my head.
“Because I wanted you to bring me back a daruma doll.”
“For the love, Adeline,” Mama said. “You could’ve been killed. Or paralyzed. You’re worried about not getting a doll?”
“They’re really cute! They look like grumpy little men and symbolize having a fighting spirit.”
“It does seem like the perfect mascot for you,” Mama said.
“I think it might be offensive to call them a mascot,” Addie said.
“Spirit animal?” Pa said.
“No, Pa!” both Addie and I said at the same time while her parents exchanged glances and shrugged.
“We’ll be back,” Pa said, moving to stand beside Addie and taking her hand. “Get some rest.”
“I will,” Addie said. “But come back soon with snacks. Good ones.”
After the elder two Warners took their leave I sat in the chair next to the bed that Mama had vacated.
“I can’t believe you’re missing Japan,” Addie said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Did you let that guy run into you on purpose?” I asked, hearing my phone buzz with a text alert and reaching for my purse. It was Katya, asking about Addie and sending a selfie from her hotel room in Tokyo, where I had originally been scheduled to meet her for a shoot the next day.
“I told you I needed new tires and wipers,” Addie said. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“I’d have mailed you the ruined Chanel to pay for it all… once my dry cleaner got the stain out.” I showed her the message and picture from Katya and she motioned for me to come closer. We took a selfie and I sent it.
