“Read your mind?”
“Yes.”
I smirk darkly. “Keeps you in line.”
“That’s not what keeps me in line. You’re sort of terrifying sometimes.”
“That’s what mothers are for. To scare you straight.” It’s still so strange to speak those words out loud. To allow the world to know.
“And here I’ve been under the illusion they’re supposed to love and nurture you.”
“That too.” I shrug. “I’m still working on that part.”
“You aren’t failing miserably.”
A compliment from my spirited teenager? I may just keel over and die.
“Fallon?” The way Farrah says my name has me looking up at her. Her blonde hair is tucked up under a knit hat with a pompom on top, and her cheeks are pink from the cold. But it’s her eyes that brings me worry. They’re big and round and dusty with tears.
“Farrah, what is it?”
“Are you lonely?”
I’m blindsided by her question.
“Of course not. I have you.”
“But you don’t have anyone else. I’m your whole life. And I’m leaving for school soon.”
“If you can actually decide where you want to go.”
“I’m being serious. I worry about you.” She clutches my hand tighter.
I laugh. “Farrah, I’m a big girl. You don’t have to worry about me. And I have no problem being alone.”
Farrah turns her body to me. “Do you miss Declan?”
Again, she catches me off guard with her intrusive question.
“Why are you bringing him up?”
“You left him because of me.”
“I did what I had to. I don’t regret it.”
“Maybe not now, but I’m afraid you will one day. That one day you may resent me.”
“Farrah, never. Where is this coming from?” I search her flushed face. “Are you channeling March?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs demurely. “Do you know where he is?”
“Scotland or Ireland, maybe?” I take a guess. “I’m not exactly sure where he set down roots.”
“Could you find out?”
“Possibly.”Definitely.I may be out of the game, but I still know a handful of players.
“I think you should find out.”
