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He smiles and pumps his fist. “Yes.” Lance snuffs out his cigarette. “I hope you do. I think you’d have a good time.”
“I promise I’ll really think about it.”
Lance heads back into his apartment and I head back into mine. I decide to lay down for a little bit because I may go to the party. I crawl onto my full-size bed. Closing my eyes, I take some slow, deep breaths. I continue to do it until I feel myself fade into dreamland.
My phone ringing wakes me from my slumber. I grab it and see my mom’s name on the screen. “Hi, Mom,” I yawn as I sit up.
“Hi, baby.” My stomach turns as I take in the tone of her voice. “Joe just called and Madison passed away this morning.”
I cover my mouth to hide the cry that slips from my lips.
“Joe said she didn’t suffer and that it was peaceful.” I grab my pillow and bury my face in it as I cry for Madison and cry for Robert and Chris. “Baby girl, are you okay?”
Pulling the pillow away from my face, I shake my head. Of course she can’t see that. “No,” I croak. Mom must pull the phone away from her mouth because I hear her talking, but it’s muffled for a moment. “Honey, go pack a bag, your brother is on his way to get you.”
I know she’s talking about Parker because Joe will obviously be with the Andersons.
“No, I-I’m okay, I just want to be alone right now.” She protests but I insist. I can’t lean on them forever. Hanging up before my mom can say anything else, I toss my phone to the end of the bed, ignoring it when it begins to ring again.
I’m not sure how long I cry for, but long enough to have a terrible headache. Walking numbly into my bathroom, I grab some ibuprofen, then swallow them down with water from the sink.
In the kitchen, I grab my ice mask out of the freezer. I lie on my back in my bed and let the mask do its thing, or at least until my face feels numb. After tossing it to the side, I pick up my phone and thumb through my contacts until I find Chris’s name. I decide not to call, just send him a quick message.
Haddie: Hey Chris it’s Haddie Carmichael. I just wanted to tell you that I’m so very sorry about your mom. I enjoyed what time I got to spend with her. If you or your dad needs anything please don’t hesitate to call.
Instead of sending it I delete the message. It sounded really stupid. Maybe I should take them something, but what? They’re probably not going to do any cooking, so maybe I could make something to take to them.
I quickly make a list before brushing my hair out and braiding it before brushing my teeth. Heading out to my car, I make the quick trek to the grocery store. I get everything to make baked spaghetti and the basic staples for sandwiches, lunch meat, bread, cheese and condiments. As I wipe everything up, I send my brother, Joe, a quick text knowing that he was over there earlier.
Haddie: Hey big brother. Are you still with Chris and Robert?
It takes a minute before the black dots start bouncing.
Joe: Yeah, we’re keeping his dad company. Why?
Haddie: I thought I’d bring them dinner and some stuff for sandwiches so they don’t have to worry about cooking.
Joe: That’s sweet of you. I’ll let them know you’re coming.
It takes me an hour before the spaghetti is done. I stick it in a little carrier that Mom bought me to carry my brownies in. I grab the bags with everything else and carry it all out to my car.
“Hey Haddie are you gonna come tonight?” Lance asks from behind me.
I turn to face him. “I’m going to try. My brother’s best friend just lost his mom, so I’m taking them dinner. I’ll stop by when I get home.”
We say goodbye and I head across town to the Anderson home. I park next to Joe’s SUV and climb out. I grab all of the bags, and as I approach the front door it opens, and my brother is standing there.
“Here let me take those.” He divests me of my bags and I step inside the house. I rub my arms because it feels heavy as soon as I clear the doorway. “They’re in the family room.” Joe tells me.
I step around the corner and find Chris stretched out on one sofa while his dad sits hunched over in one of the chairs. They both turn as I step inside.
Robert stands up first as I approach. My eyes burn because the sadness comes off him in waves. “I-I’m so sorry Robert.” He pulls me into a bear hug.
“Thank you for taking such good care of her. She enjoyed your visits.” He kisses my forehead. “What’s that delicious smell?”
With my arm looped through his I lead him to the kitchen island and have him take a seat. “It’s my mom’s baked spaghetti.”
Chris joins us and I go to him, giving him a hug. Neither of us says anything I just try to provide him comfort. When we separate, I make him sit with his dad and Joe. I grab plates and start dishing up food and set it down in front of all of them.
