“Yeah,” I agree.
“Did you ever?—?”
“No.The four of us have only ever been friends.”
Copeland exhales.“Okay, good.Good.”He nods, and his shoulders relax.“Do you want to stay or go?”
I don’t even have to think about my answer.“I want to stay,” I tell him as the waitress comes over and starts clearing plates and wiping down the booth.When she tells us she’ll be back with menus, Copeland starts to slide out of the booth.“I’ll move to the other side,” he says, pain lacing his voice, but I hold tight to his hand, stopping him.“Stay.”
He nods, kisses my temple, and stays.We order our food and spend the next hour talking about old times.
During it all, he never once lets go of my hand.
Sixteen
Copeland
“Can I get you anything?”I ask Mom.She’s sitting on the back patio with a blanket over her lap.Even with the bright rays from the sun, she can’t seem to get warm enough.She has chemo again on Tuesday, and I hate what that drug does to her.I know it’s saving her, but it’s also making her sick.I wasn’t sure about having everyone over today, but she was insistent that she wanted to enjoy the day and have her boys, their friends, and her friends here, as well, so here we are—one big Memorial Day party.
“I’m fine.Stop fussing.”She smiles.“Isn’t Ellie here?Go bother her.”She waves her hands as if to get me to go away.
I laugh.“She’s here with her sisters, somewhere.”Somewhere in the back of the yard with her sisters and my sister-in-law, Macie.I always know where she is; it’s not something I can control.I’m just always seeking her out.Craving my eyes on her.
“You should go find her.”
“I wanted to check on you.”
“And I’m right here.I’ll let you know if I need something.Or your brother.He’s checked on me as much as you have, and the party just started,” she says, a smile in her voice.
“You have your phone.Call me if you don’t see me.”She’s been weak, getting tired easily, and I don’t want her stumbling around the yard for something that Chandler or I can take care of for her.I’m hovering, but I don’t care.This is my mom, the woman who raised us all on her own after Dad died.She’s been my rock my entire life, and I want to return the favor by being hers now.
“Mary, you have to try this,” Wanda says, stepping up next to us and offering Mom a red Solo cup.
I raise my eyebrow in question, and Wanda scoffs.“It’s punch.I didn’t spike it.Not yet.”She laughs, and my mom joins her.“Go, we’ve got girl talk.”
“All right, but I’m watching you.”I point at Wanda, then at my mom.“You two troublemakers be good.”
“No promises,” Mom singsongs, as Wanda takes the lounger next to hers, and they start talking about who knows what.I don’t really care.All I know is that my mom is here, she’s smiling, and my girl is also here.That’s a good day in my book.
Staring out across the yard, I watch Ellison.She’s with her sisters, and they’re sitting on a blanket with Kinzie and Macie.She’s got a smile on her face, and damn, my girl looks beautiful, not that today is any different from any other day.
“You’re drooling,” Chandler says, tapping at his chin.
“Probably.”I chuckle, not even bothering to hide the fact that I’m watching her like a creep.
“Things good there?”Chandler asks.
“We’re working on it.”
“She’s been sad.”He nods toward where the ladies are sitting.“Not depressed or anything, but that smile on her face, the one that reaches her eyes, it’s been missing for far too long.”
“I fucked up.”
“Meh.”Chandler shrugs, and I laugh.“Do better this time around.”
“Is that your sage advice, big brother?”I ask, laughing.
“Sure.But I’ve got one better for you.Are you ready?”I nod.“Just love her, Cope.The rest will fall into place.”
