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“Well, with death, other than my father, who I didn’t even know. But I was thinking more along the lines of caring about another human being. My father didn’t give a shit. My mom was more interested in her latest man than me. I don’t really know what it’s like to be cared about. Or to care about someone in return. The way I care for you.”
Her cheeks flush a sweet pink. “Thank you. I care for you, too.”
“I’m glad to hear that. This is all so fucking new. And we’re coming together at a shitty time, but I sure wouldn’t change meeting you. Not for anything.”
She draws in a breath, attempts a smile. “Will you come with me again? To Billings, to see my mother?”
I’m tempted to ask her why we didn’t see her mother this morning when we were already in Billings, but I don’t. She had her reasons. Or maybe she didn’t think of it. Or maybe she did, but she needed a break. Whatever it is, I’m not going to throw it in her face.
“Of course. Don’t you want to call first?”
She shakes her head. “I really don’t. I’ll have to tell her why I’m coming or make some excuse. I don’t want to lie and I can’t tell her this over the phone. I just can’t.”
“I understand. What if she isn’t home?”
“She’ll be home. She’s a hairdresser, and she works six days a week. Sunday is the one day she closes her shop.”
“What if she’s out running errands?”
“If she has errands, she closes the shop for an hour or two or she does it in the evening after work. She’s pretty adamant about keeping her Sundays free.”
I nod. “Sounds like a woman who knows her priorities.”
“She’s not perfect,” Sadie says. “But she did her best and she doesn’t deserve the news I’m about to give her.”
“When do you want to leave?”
“Now?”
“Absolutely. For you? Anything.”
An hour later,we’re in a trailer park outside Billings.
“Is this where you grew up?” I ask.
“No. My mom sold the house I grew up in after I graduated from high school. She used the proceeds to buy her own beauty shop, and then the excess to buy the place here. She keeps it up real nice. I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” I might be inheriting a billion, but I came from humble beginnings. Started my own shop just like her mother.
She directs me to a well-kept mobile home on the property, freshly painted a light sage green. The windows have darker green shutters, and a few lawn chairs sit outside the door on the small lot. A Ford Fiesta sits in the parking spot next to the home. Non-pretentious living at its finest. Sadie’s right. I like it.
I get out of the truck and walk to the passenger side to open the door for Sadie. I give her my hand and help her out and then she stares at the small home.
She walks the few steps to the cement stoop and knocks. I follow her.
A dog yaps behind the door, and when it opens, a woman who could be Sadie’s older twin—same dark hair, only it’s cut in a short style, and the same facial structure and slightly prominent chin—answers.
“Hey, Ma,” Sadie says.
“Shoo!” Sadie’s mother says to the small puppy.
He slinks into another room.
“What are you doing here, honey?”
“Do I need an excuse to see my mom?”
“Of course not. Come on in.” Then she eyes me. “And who’s this?”
