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Her laugh is hoarse as she mirrors my fingers in my hair. “You broke your leg that day, baby girl.”
Even Amy laughs now.
“That’s because she got brave, Mama,” she adds.
“But it was an adventure, wasn’t it?”
She’s still swaying, but she nods.
She’s going to crash soon.
“I only have his eyes. My spirit is yours.”
Eyes closed, heavy tears fall to her lap. “That’s what I fear.”
She won’t remember in the morning, so fighting the moisture threatening to fall, I finally ask, “Do you hate me because he left?”
A guttural sob rips through her chest before she cups my face and presses her forehead against mine. “I hate myself becauseyouleft. I lost a piece of my Claire that night. He took it with him like he had a right to it.”
I’d give anything to say she is wrong.
She tangles her long fingers in my hair. “You always had the most beautiful hair.”
I return the gesture, twirling her dark chocolate strands in my palm. It’s shorter than mine.
Her eyes flutter closed, and her weight shifts to my shoulder.
“You made sure of it,” I whisper, but she’s out. “Okay, Mama. Let’s get you up.”
I try to lift her, but for such a slight thing, she’s heavy.
A firm hand squeezes my shoulder.
“I’ve got her, sweetheart.”
With ease, he wraps his arms around her back and legs. She doesn’t stir.
My embarrassment can eat me alive later, but for now, I need to get her into the shower.
“Can you bring her upstairs?”
He dips his chin, walking as if it’s the most precious cargo he’s carrying.
To me, she is.
My heart twists, looking at him as he watches her, trying to make her comfortable in his arms even when she’s unconscious and probably can’t feel a thing.
You’re in good hands, Mama. I bet his arms are the most comfortable place in the world.
“What can I do?” Amy asks as we go upstairs.
“Can you get me a change of clothes? And maybe some coffee for Mama.”
She doesn’t ask questions. She simply nods and leaves for her house down the street.
I switch on the shower and check that the water isn’t too cold before shaking off my jacket.
Unwavering, Jake stands with her snoring on his shoulder.
