"You can call her my mom, baby, because that's what she is. And absolutely not. I'll bring us both back a plate. You just stay right here and I'll be right back."
She worries her bottom lip with her teeth. "I don't want them to think badly of me."
"Hey." My finger reaches out to her mouth. "This is my lip to bite." And then I prove it with a gentle nip. "Sit tight."
After moving our things that Dad placed beside the door into the room, I let the smells of supper lead me down the hallway and to the kitchen. "Mmm. Something smells good."
Mom dries her hands on a kitchen towel. "Lemon chicken, zucchini noodles, and roasted green beans. How's Mercy?"
Wearily rubbing the back of my head, I know I need to appease some of her curiosity, but Mercy trusted me with her heavy secret and it's not my place to mention it to anyone else. "I think everything's going to be okay, but she's got a terrible headache and doesn't feel up to socializing right now. We'll eat in my room and visit with you and Dad in the morning."
Her hand grabs my forearm like a vise. Mom means business. "Do you swear, Amos? You didn't break her heart more just now?"
"I swear. We both have a better understanding of each other and things can only get better from here. But she could sure use a mother.The fostering system didn’t do her any favors, that’s for sure."
Compassion darkens her eyes. "Her parents died? Oh, the poor thing. If there's anything I know how to do, it's mothering lonely souls."
I can't help the smile that sneaks up. "You sure do. And I love you for it. Especially since I know you love me more than Connor."
"You—" Mom scowls in amusement. "Both of my boys hold a special place in my heart. Anequalplace. And now Mercy does, too."
"Thank you, Momma. Supper ready?"
"Just pulled the last thing out of the oven, actually."
"Perfect. Can you grab some bottles of water for us while I fix our plates?"
"Of course. Does she need anything for her headache?"
I nod. The only medicine I brought was her prescription.
"And you be sure to run cool water on a washcloth and rest it on her eyes after she eats. That'll help with her swollen eyes."
"I will," I promise. "If you stick the bottles in my back pockets, I think I'll be able to hold the plates."
"Oh, I'll get you a tray so you can carry it all."
Even better. All loaded up, I head for the hallway.
"Wait—here's for her head." Mom stuffs a little bottle of pills in my shirt's front pocket. "You be sure and give her a hug from me and tell her not to worry about a thing."
"Thanks, Mom." Back to the room I go. Carefully balancing our food, I manage to open the door and deliver the tray to the bed. "Time to eat, kitten."
After passing her a plate and a bottle of water, I dig out her pills. "Here you go." We both must be starving because the food's gone in record time. "Want seconds?"
"Oh," she groans. "I can't eat another bite."
"Not even half of one?" I tease. Her puffy eyes narrow at me. "Okay, I hear you. I'mgonnatake these to the kitchen. Why don't you get the shower started for us?" At the wary look on her face, I clarify. "Just to bathe, I promise."
Gathering everything, I make a quick trip to the kitchen and deposit it in the sink. When I get back and close the door, I strip my clothes off and join Mercy in the shower. Hair piled on top of her head so it doesn't get wet, her movements are sluggish as she washes herself.
"Can I do anything for you, baby?"
A weary sigh whistles through her lips. "Just...just hold me."
Angling us so the water falls down on her, I hold her so tight against me, letting her take what she needs from me. "Mom told me tohug youand tell you not to worry, but I don't think she meant while we were both naked."
Herdrained laugh hits my chest. "I won't tell if you don't. God, I hate that I cried so much today. I'm just an emotional wreck."
