AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you with me?” My mother smiles down at me, waiting for me to replace between the pages the crumpled receipt I was using as a bookmark, and focus my eyes on her.
“Yep.” The book fits easily in my purse. They’re not the most durable, but I love the portability of mass market paperback books.
“You know, I didn’t have to search anywhere else for you. I knew you would end up in this seat.” Mom settles on the bench beside me and toes off her heels.
“Best seat in the house.” I shift my legs so she has more room to sit. “Is everyone gone? Think you have some on the line?”
“At least three. One couple already called and left a message.”
“Think they’ll get it?”
She peers out the window, then meets my eyes. “Not if I buy this place for myself.”
“What?” My eyes flit around, taking in the banister and high ceilings I can spy from my seat. Despite my lack of knowledge about property, I’d be naive not to realize this is a pricy piece of real estate. “You want this? You can afford it?”
Mom smiles wide, taking no offense at my baffled tone. It’s just that, for so long, both of us would’ve been lucky to afford to rent a place as large as this house’s garage.
“Business has been going well.”
“That’s fantastic.” My heart squeezes with happiness for her. “You want a place this big though? You don’t think it’s a little much for one person?”
She reaches out to tug on a strand of hair that’s come loose from my French braid.
“It wouldn’t be too big if you moved in with me.”
No. The word is sharp in my mind, and it’s all I can do to keep from cringing at how harsh the thought was.
Still, the answer will always be no.
“That’s a sweet offer, but I’m okay on my own.” I have to be. I have to prove I can survive in the world on my own. Because you never know when all your safety nets will be torn away.
But then a dark questions scratches at the back of my mind: is my safety already gone? The strange, vaguely threatening notes are still showing up at my apartment. Not every day, or even every week. But just as I start hoping the sender has grown tired of me, another appears.
What would my mom say if I told her? If I moved in with her, would they stop?
Or would things escalate?
“I can give you a home now.” Her warm palm cups my face, and I shy from my fears, forcing a smile free.
“You always gave me a home, Mom.”
“Studio apartments and decaying rentals were not homes.”
“Mom.” I reach up and tangle my fingers with hers, admiring her pristine red nail polish I’d never be able to maintain. “Youwere my home. Everywhere we went, it was the two of us, so I had a home.”
“Summer baby. You know how to say the most perfect things.” She brings my hand to her mouth, pressing a kiss to my knuckles, then wiping away the lipstick. “But you’re only agreeing with me. We can be anusagain.”
“We’re always an us. But I need to build my own life. Rely on myself. You know why.”
That gets her to sigh in defeat. “Of course I do. Of course. Strong women can do it on their own. I just want you to know you don’t have to.”
“I’m saying no, but only because you showed me that I could. But if you want to buy this house for you, then go for it.”
She frowns around at the place. “No. You’re right. It’s too big for one person.”
My mother’s profile is beautifully illuminated by natural light from a picture window. She is a gorgeous woman, inside and out, and I suddenly feel bad that I’m one of the few people who gets to love her.
“Maybe if you decided to date someone and things get serious you’ll have a reason to buy a big house.” My fingers playfully poke at her side.
