“The boys being boys. You know how they are.” To distract her from asking any more questions, I hand her my first present, which has a handmade bow on top.
She opens it, and the look on her face is the best present I’ve ever been given.
“I’ve heard about these. They say weighted blankets make a big difference.” She holds it up to her face and rubs her cheek against its velvety fabric. “So soft. What I wouldn’t give for a good night’s sleep. You’re too good to me,sweetie. Thank you.”
“Hold on. There’s more.” I hand her the next present. It’s light but big.
A tear rolls down her cheek when she sees the two special pillows, super-soft with silk pillowcases. “I asked your dad to look into getting me some of these.” I think the fact that he didn’t is the reason she’s being so emotional about them. I can’t imagine how much it must hurt to know your husband of thirty-four years has abandoned you when you need him the most.
Like the weighted blanket, Riggs told me about the pillows. When I looked them up, I read that hospital cancer units use them because they’re so gentle on delicate skin.
She holds her arms out and I lean forward to squeeze her as tight as I dare while whispering in her ear, “I love you, Mom.”
She lets go and tries to wipe her eyes with a shaking hand. “I love you too. I just wish I could have gotten you something for your birthday. I hope you got something this year.”
A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “As a matter of fact, I did. Can you keep a secret?”
She cocks a brow. “Do you even have to ask?”
“Hold on.” Before I retrieve the new sewing machine, I move the old one from my sewing table at the end of her bed and set it on the floor out of the way. It takes some effort to carry the new one in. The thing is awkward and heavy as I set it on my table.
“Ms. Southerby gave you that? What’s gotten into her?”
I’m beaming when I tell her my big secret. “It’s not from Ms. Southerby. It’s from a friend. I met himat the ski lodge.”
“Him?” Her brows rise suspiciously. Then, with a hand to her chest, and in her terrible Downton Abbey accent she says, “A gentleman friend? Please, do tell.”
I can’t believe I’ve kept this from her for so long. Her attempt at being a proper English woman makes me laugh and I jump on her bed anxious to tell her everything. We’re like two giggling schoolgirls when I try to describe what Riggs and Ash look like. Then I remember there’s a whole YouTube channel to show her. I bring up the Path of Death video Randy told me about, something I never got around to watching. As the video plays, Mom’s eyes are like saucers and she gasps several times. We’re not even there, and it’s still scaring the crap out of us. Every other step looks like they might fall a thousand feet to their deaths.
“And they do this for a living?”
I pull up the video where Ash shoots Riggs in the leg with the arrows. “Yep. Here, see what you think of this one.”
Mom laughs so hard I need to turn her oxygen up. I love seeing her like this.
After we watch a few more videos, I make Mom something to eat. I finally have her new taste buds figured out, and today I serve her stuffed bell peppers with extra tomato sauce in the hamburger.
“Oh, I like this,” she says between bites.
She cleans her plate, and I couldn’t be happier. She’s gained some weight and looks much healthier. I also got her some more sour gummy worms. We spend the rest of the evening playing Rummy, and the whole time I can’t stop thinking about how glad I am to have this time with her.
As I tuck Mom in with her new pillows and weighted blanket, she looks up at me with the kindest eyes. “I thinkthis was the best birthday I’ve ever had. Thank you, dear.”
“Anything for you, Mom.” I’m so happy I could cry.
After a final good-night hug, I head to the kitchen to clean up. But before getting started on the dishes, I need to do something. This whole day wouldn’t have been nearly as wonderful if it hadn’t been for Riggs. I bring out my phone.
Maddie:Thank you.
Riggs:I take it she liked the blanket and pillows. I’m glad.
Maddie:Yeah, I really appreciate it. Best day ever!
CHAPTER 21
Riggs
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
