Page 104 of The Challenge

She nodded as she looked out at the mountains. “Yeah.”

“After I came back from Germany, and the reality of being home without my mother here anymore was weighing on me, you seemed to sense that something was wrong before anyone else did. You asked if I wanted to take a drive. We came here and sat, and I admitted for the first time just how out of sorts I’d felt since returning.”

“Of course I remember.”

“I’d been trying to put on a strong front. But you were the only one who saw through it.” I turned to her. “I feel like the situation you’re in right now mirrors that. You’re home, but it doesn’t quite feel like home.”

She took my hand. “The only things that feel like home anymore are you and Effie.” Her gaze returned to the spectacular view. “I know you think I spoiled her to win some points or something, but I just love seeing her happy. She’s been the best distraction possible during one of the most difficult times in my life.”

“She’s sort of what you were to me back then.”

“I think so, yeah.” Chloe smiled. “Even though she’s young, she understands so much. She was especially sweet after she saw my mom. I think she kind of felt bad for me. At the same time, it seems like maybe she feels less alone knowing that someone else is struggling with their mom issues, albeit differently.”

I nodded. “I think it was a good learning experience for her to meet Judy. It’s hard to explain dementia. You sort of have to see it for yourself to understand how someone could be physically present but not necessarily there. She asked a lot of questions at dinner that night, but she seemed to get it.”

“I feel like my mom won’t be around much longer, Evan. I hate to admit that, but I feel it in my bones.”

I squeezed her hand. “Do you think it’s time to tell Fawn she needs to come home?”

“I keep thinking I don’t want to bother her, but given that Mom hasn’t been eating, I probably need to let her know just how bad it’s gotten. Dad, too.”

“He hasn’t visited her at all?”

A flicker of hurt crossed her face. “I think it’s easier for him to pretend it’s not happening. Then he doesn’t have to feel any guilt that comes along with not being there for her anymore.”

I shook my head. “He’s gonna wake up one day and regret not visiting her.”

“You’re right.”

“You need my help? I could call them, if you don’t want to deal with it.”

“No.” She rubbed her arms. “It’s something I have to do.”

“You getting cold?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s get out of here, then. You said Millie’s with your mom until eleven, right?”

She nodded as she stood.

I linked her hand with mine. “We’ll go back to my place.”

After we got to the house, I knew I couldn’t do anything else tonight until I got something off my chest. It couldn’t wait. The moment we entered the kitchen, I reached into the drawer for a pink sticky note.

Chapter 38

CHLOE

I’d taken a seat at Evan’s kitchen table and put my head down. This day had exhausted me. But I was grateful he’d gotten me out of the miserable hole I’d been in when he found me at the storage unit.

Evan came up behind me and rubbed my back. When I looked up, he was holding a pink note.

“What’s that?” I asked as I sat straighter in the chair.

“This isn’t the typical challenge. But it’s something that will be difficult, and given that it’s my turn, I figured I’d take advantage.”

I took it and looked down at what he’d written.