“I mean, you’re thirty-five.It’s about damn time,” he teases.
“Fuck off,” I grumble, bumping my shoulder into his.
“Go see your girl.I’m going to go sit with Mom for a while.”
“She’s resting.”
He shrugs.“I’ll be here when she wakes up.Macie is bringing the kids by in about half an hour.”
“Yeah, what are you doing, leaving the job so early?”I tease.
“I started early today to get it done.I wanted to give you a break.”
“We’ll make a schedule.I have a list of all of Mom’s appointments.You know your schedule, Macie’s, and the kids’.Just tell me when to work, when to be there for Mom, and the rest will fall into place.”
“You sure?”
I nod.“I’m positive.I need to learn how my life fits back into this family, into the civilian world altogether.A schedule is the best way to do that.”
“Sounds good.I’ll start on that while I wait for Mace to get here with the kids.”
“You want me to bring back some dinner?”
“Text me, and we’ll see how Mom’s feeling.I don’t want to eat a big meal in front of her if she’s still not keeping anything down.”
“Yeah,” I agree.“She had some toast earlier, and that seemed to sit well with her.I offered more, but she refused.”
“Go.”Chandler waves me off.“Take a break.Text me before you come back about dinner.”
“Thanks, Chan.”I stand, and he does the same.I pull him into a hug, relishing the fact that he’s here.That we’re both here, and Mom, too.We’re going to get through this.
Rushing down the steps, I hop into my truck and drive next door to Magnolia Estates.As soon as I pull into the lot, I see Ellison walking out the side door.I quickly park my truck and rush to catch up with her.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I say, stopping to offer her my arm.
She smiles at me; it’s a smile of happiness, not just politeness.“What are you doing here?”she asks, looking from me to my arm I’m holding out for her.
“I’m walking you home.”
“Copeland, that’s silly.I live here.”
“Nope, you live through those trees.”I nod toward my arm.Those big blue eyes of hers twinkle as she slips her arm into the crook of mine, and we start to walk.
“Taking an early day?”I ask her.
“I don’t have conventional hours.I work all the time, it seems, so I kind of do my own thing, as long as the work gets done.”
“Perks of working for yourself.Chandler did the same thing; he’s sitting with Mom now.”
“How is she?”
“She’s been sick as hell this week from the treatments, but she’s strong.Staying positive through all of it, but we’re just beginning.”
“How are you?”she asks.
“I’m—so many things, Ells.But right here in this moment, I’m happy.I’m happy that I have the chance to spend time with Mom.I’m glad that I get to be here to support her through this—Chandler, too.I’m ecstatic that you’re here with me,” I say, my voice growing softer.
“Copeland,” she breathes just as we reach her front porch.
