AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After a long pause, Liam nodded. “All right. Now, you were going to tell me why you looked so awful yesterday. What’s going on? You sure as hell didn’t look content then.”
Wes lowered his eyes, his jaw clenching painfully. “It’s my mom. She’s sick.”
Liam parked the cart and turned his body in the seat toward him. “Maya, the girls, and I had lunch with your mum a couple of months ago. She seemed fine.”
“She’s done her best to hide it.” He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. “She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six months ago.”
“Did you know before you went to visit her?” His friend could understand the anger and frustration he felt. Liam’s father hadn’t told him about his battle with prostate cancer until he was already through his treatments and in remission.
Wes shook his head and shifted in his seat to alleviate the hole that burned in his gut whenever the inevitable thoughts of what was ahead for his mother came to mind. Increased difficulty with balance and movements. Not to mention the involuntary movements that were side effects of the most common medication given for Parkinson’s. If the disease continued to progress at its current rate, she would require constant care in a few years. “She didn’t want me to worry. Or to feel obligated to return to America. And she didn’t want Drake to give up his career.”
Liam squeezed his shoulder, forcing Wes to meet his gaze. His friend’s knowing smile eased the suffocating pain in his chest. “Sounds like Ms. Lena. She’s strong-willed and independent. And she loves you and your brother more than anything in the world.”
“But not enough to tell us about her diagnosis.” The reality of those words struck him hard. His mother had always been stubborn and determined. She’d made incredible sacrifices to give him and his brother the best life possible, regardless of the cost to her. Yet, now that she needed him, she wouldn’t ask for his help. She didn’t want to impose on his life. Had he made her feel that way? That she was a bother to him? Wes slumped in his seat, his gaze lowered again. He sure as hell wouldn’t be winning any son-of-the-year awards.
Liam patted his friend on the back, then eased his foot onto the gas pedal, setting the cart in motion. “You know how protective your mother is of you two. Like you said, she didn’t want you to worry. Besides, not telling you was probably also her way of retaining her dignity and independence. An illness like that forces us to face our own mortality. Even if it’s only for a moment. It was hard for my dad. Must be pretty hard for your mum, too.”
Mortality.
That word sent a chill down his spine that settled into his gut, twisting it. His mother had given him everything she possibly could. All he’d done was bring her grief. Her marriage ended because of him, and so did her dream career. It killed him that even now she was making sacrifices. She’d already done so much for them. They could never repay her, but he’d do whatever it took to try. Even if that meant moving back to North Carolina.
“Does Drake know?”
“We called him the same day I found out.”
“I know how tough this must be for you and Drake. Anything you or your mum need…just say the word.”
His friend’s words dragged him out of his daze. Wes sat taller in his seat and nodded.
“You’ve already helped. If you hadn’t invited me onto this project…” He shuddered inwardly, wondering how long his mother would’ve kept the diagnosis to herself. “I appreciate the opportunity and the generous housing offer while we work on the project. I’d only intended to stay for the weeks of our planned meetings, but things have changed. Despite what she thinks, my mother needs me.”
“Will you move here permanently?” Liam couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice, though he made a valiant effort.
A grin turned up one corner of Wesley’s mouth. It was comforting that his best friend was eager to have him move closer. They’d been separated by an ocean most of the past five years. “I’m not ready to sell my flat in London, but I’m escalating my timeline to expand my business here in the US.”
