“She’s met someone,” he said gently. “A teacher. A widower with two little ones. She’s been scared to death to tell you, because she doesn’t want to hurt you. She loves you all.”
His mother pressed her fingers to her mouth. “She’ll never replace Charles.”
Blue was disappointed in her reaction, but he understood. “You better not let anyone hear you say that or you’ll lose her forever. I told her Charles would have asked what took her so long. I’ll tell Sadie and Elyse myself, before I go. She shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
“That poor girl.” His mother’s voice was thick.
“She’s happy, Ma. Be happy for her that she has someone who loves her again.”
“And this Jo,” his mother said, spitting out her name. “Is she why you’re leaving?”
“I love her. I have for a long time. You know that.”
She lifted her chin at him. “If it wasn’t for that woman, would you be abandoning us again?”
“I’m going back because it’s home now,” he said. “I’d still go back even if she never spoke to me again. But if I’m lucky, she will.”
“Who is she again?”
“You’ve met her.” He held his mother’s eyes. “If I bring her for a visit, give her another chance. You should be nice to her, or you’ll never see grandchildren from me.”
His mother let out a ragged, exaggerated breath. She reached across the table and took his hand in both of hers, the way she had when he was a boy, and there was bad news coming.
“Your brother loved this city,” she said quietly. “I always thought you would, too.”
“I still do, but it’s not home for me anymore.”
She grew quiet, and he let that sink in.
“I’ll miss you,” his mother said, wiping tears from her eyes with the edge of her apron.
“Then come visit.” Blue squeezed her hand. “Alone or with my sisters.”
“I can certainly fly on my own,” she said with sudden independence.
“But I thought?—”
“I’m stronger than I look.” His mother sniffed, then held up her arms. “Come here, you.”
Blue came around the table, brought his mother to her feet and put his arms around her. He rocked her back and forth. “I love you, Ma.”
“Promise me you’ll be good to her,” she said, patting his face. “Now, I have to finish making your dinner.”
Feeling relieved that his mother took it so well—there were no screams or hysterics, but then, his sisters weren’t here yet—Blue went to his room. He stretched out on his old bed, his feet dangling off the end, to clear his mind.
A tap sounded at the door. He swung off the bed and opened the door to his sister Elyse.
“I need to talk to you,” she whispered.
Blue opened the door for her, and they sat on his bed as they had so many times when they were young. Looking guilty, Elyse tucked her feet under her and spread her full skirt over her legs.
“I need to tell you something. Sadie has gotten Ma all riled up about you moving back here.”
“I just talked to Ma about that. She seems in good health, so I’m not staying.”
“Sadie made me swear I wouldn’t tell you, but she’s behind all this.”
Blue folded his arms. “You’d better tell me everything.”
