AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let me blow dry you and then we can make you look like the fucking supermodel you are.”
It’s her turn to roll her eyes to the ceiling, but still, she lets me fuss around with her hair until it’s styled just the way she likes.
When we move back into the other room, Vikki is fiddling with the TV remote and Martha is staring at her phone, frowning at the screen.
I help Brenda sit down and then lower myself next to Martha.
“What did you do?” I ask because with these ladies it’s always something.
She sighs heavily, the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I swiped on this message from Hannah, and it disappeared. I can’t fucking find it.”
I pry the phone from her fingers. “Let me show you where it went,” I say, pushing a few buttons and then explaining how to retrieve it. She’s listening intently, but she won’t remember how to do this. This isn’t the first time I’ve explained it. It’s why most of my messages sit unread until I arrive at their places, open up the app, and read them out loud.
I don’t know why I even bother texting.
Calling is never a sure thing either. Most of the time they don’t remember to actually have their phones on them. Or evenon.
“You’re a godsend,” she cries, snatching her phone back and staring at the message on the screen.
“Your son got you a phone that is too hard for you to use.”
“I know. This is space-age stuff, Lex.Star Trekhas nothing on this.”
I snort a laugh. “It is. I’ll research and find something better and easier for you to use.”
“Good,” she says, turning the phone off and stuffing it in her bra. “Vikki, find us something fun to watch before I die of boredom.”
These ladies better stop talking about dying. I can’t fucking stand it…makes me anxious.
Vikki eyes me and winks, reading my mind. “We have years, Lexy. Years.”
And god, I fucking hope so. I don’t want to have finally found my people, only for them to be ripped from this earth. My heart couldn’t handle it. My mom died three years ago, and I could give two shits. She was an awful mom and a terrible person. But the thought of Brenda, Martha, or Vikki not waking up one day makes my stomach churn.
Or hell, slowly getting dementia and forgetting all about me.
I’ve had nightmares about that.
“How about this one?” Vikki asks, pointing to the TV. “Looks raunchy.”
I’ll watch anything right now. I need to stop thinking about this depressing shit.
Two hours later, I kick my feet off the coffee table and stand up.
“Alright, guys. I’ve got stuff to do, so I have to get going. Plus, you all need your naps. See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow,” they chime, and I bend over hugging each of them before pressing a kiss to Brenda’s cheek. I adore them all, but fuck, Brenda is something special. There is just something about her that calls to me on a deeper level.
She and I are soulmates of sorts. If I ever had a mother, a real mother who cared for me the way she should have, she’d have been just like Brenda. She’s everything I’d want in a parent—kind, loving, accepting, and just an overall wonderful person.
How she managed to have a grandson like she does, I’ll never know.
“Bye,” I say.
“I love you,” she says softly, and I blink furiously, my eyes stinging.
She told me that two months ago and continues to tell me every time I see her, and I still can’t get used to it. It makes my heart palpitate every damn time.
I don’t think anyone in my life has said it to me.Ever. Until her.
