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“So excited. It’s been almost two months. We’ve talked every day, but it’s not the same as living together.” Amy and I had gotten an apartment together after she graduated from college, and we had the best relationship. We hardly ever fought and knew how to balance each other out.
“Any plans for tonight?” my mom asked.
“Not really. I figure they’ll be jet lagged, so I want to give them time to decompress. We’ll hang out and watch movies or something. Tomorrow we’re hanging out with Hannah and Evan.”
“And do you have any plans for today?” she pressed.
I took a sip of my coffee, eying her over the edge of the mug. “Why do you ask?”
She shrugged. “No reason.”
Not buying it. “What are you fishing for?”
She flipped over another piece of bacon, then turned to face me. “You’ve been gone a lot lately. I know you’re working, but I’m curious what else you’ve been up to.”
I set down my coffee mug. “You caught me. I’ve been holding obstacle course races for dogs in the basement below the dance studio while masterminding an overthrow of the monarchy.”
My mom rolled her eyes at my attempt at humor. “First, we live in Southern California. There are hardly any basements here. Second, I’m trying to be serious for a moment.”
My cheeks flushed. I hated keeping things from my mom. “I can’t tell you. But I promise, it’s nothing illegal.”
She smiled at me. “I know you better than that. Just making sure you’re being smart, that’s all.”
I leaned into my mom and gave her a hug. “You’re the best mom ever.” I took a deep breath in, absorbing her scent that was somy mom. Some kind of combination of laundry detergent and her shampoo.
I never imagined that I would move back home. But I also never imagined that my parents and baby sister would have been in a life-changing car accident, especially not on the night of my other best friend’s wedding. Those days in the hospital, waiting for my dad to wake up, were the worst of my life. And while everyone was stable now, they needed my help more than they would admit. Sometimes that meant making a few jokes. That was a big part of my job, keeping everything light and fun, no matter how weighed down we felt.
After the accident, I fell apart. I was so serious. But I needed to make up for it by moving back home, and here I was for the foreseeable future; to lighten the load that my parents carried so Katy would never know the weight of the pressure we were under.
Over my mom’s shoulder, I saw a pile of bills. “You’re killing the forest. You should have your bills sent electronically now.”
She shook her head at me. “You’re right. But having it in paper helps me organize better.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
She thought for a moment, hesitating to tell her daughter their financial woes. “Things have been better. The settlement from the car accident is helping, but summer is always our biggest expense for the garden, with the water bills and everything. So we’re figuring a few things out.”
“Especially now that Dad can’t help with the garden,” I added. The usually thriving garden that occupied our front yard had fallen by the wayside and was an eyesore in our neighborhood. My dad always took the lead in maintaining our hobby garden, but being in a wheelchair had hampered his abilities.
My mom worked odd jobs here and there, but never anything consistent. She loved baking and would sell some of her delicious baked goods, but it wasn’t enough to pull in an income like my dad. He was a carpenter and would build the most incredible kitchen cabinets for people. But now that he couldn’t stand and work like before, he was at a standstill while he figured out a new system and setup that would allow for his wheelchair. Hazel and Luna were away at college, so they couldn’t contribute to the home. It was on me and my parents to keep everything together.
“My teaching money should help,” I offered.
“No, Ivy. We don’t want you to help out. You should save your money for getting your own place again. I don’t want you stuck here forever.”
As sweet as she was, I was needed here. I wouldn’t be leaving for a while. And if I needed to, I’d pretend to be a tooth fairy for them and leave money under their pillows.
She finished the bacon as the oven beeped to let us know that the cinnamon rolls were done, and out came the most pillowy, incredible-smelling breakfast treat.
“I still remember when you first started making those. I think I was Katy’s age.” I leaned over and took in a big whiff.
“You were even younger than her,” my mom said, setting down the dish and putting the ingredients for frosting into the stand mixer. “You used to stand on one of the little side tables and knead the dough with me.”
“My favorite was spreading the filling inside the dough.” I smiled at the memory of cinnamon, sugar, and butter all over my little fingers. My heart warmed with appreciation for my mom, and the way she kept us close all our lives. “Although I hated sharing the job with Luna and Hazel.”
She laughed. “So many fights between you three. But you were sweet kids. You all just wanted to help.”
I sat at the kitchen table, watching her work. The last few months had worn her down. There were bags under her eyes, and she didn’t stand with the same posture as before. I was determined to help put her back together.
