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Teacups clinked on the tray while we got things ready. As soon as the hibiscus scent filled the air, I knew it was good to go. I carried the tray as Bethany grabbed the biscuit crackers Mom was fond of munching with her tea.
Leo cleared a space on the coffee table. He reminded me so much of myself when I was younger.
Of course, Mom hadn’t been sick back then. She hadn’t been a lot of things. But time had a way with people. And life had a way too. Life always found a way to make something or other happen. Sometimes, it was a bit much.
I wish life would give us a break.
Mightier smiles appeared this time. Weak wasn’t bad or anything. I just liked it when I saw her energized rather than depleted. She carried herself so well some days.
“Bethany,” she rasped while holding her cup delicately, “would you take Leo outside to the garden? As my son likes to say—” She breathed deeply and exhaled slowly. “—he says fresh air is good for you. And Leo needs more than me.”
“But, Mom—”
She raised her brows. Serious business was about when she made that face. No argument could make her lessen it either, so I clamped my mouth shut and watched Bethany collect my reluctant kid. Both of them disappeared through the sliding door to the yard.
Softness entered Mom’s features as she raised the cup to her lips and took a light sip. “I want to hear about Galanthia.”
“She’s nothing.”
“She’s something if you’re arguing with her all the time.”
The curse came again in my mind.Damn it. My kid had no idea what he’d done.
It wasn’t his fault, he was just being playful with me. His little ears picked up on everything. Why hadn’t I been more careful with him? He was so impressionable.
He probably didn’t like the arguing.
I sank into the chair next to the recliner and leaned on the recliner’s armrest, steadying the teacup for my mother. “She’s a friend. A co-worker, really. Acquaintance.”
“That’s so many things.”
“She’s not much, Mom. Don’t worry about her. Worry about your strength.”
She smiled warmly. “You baby me too much.”
“Well, I have to baby someone with Leo growing up.”
“He’s so independent and sharp. Has he been reading the dictionary?”
I laughed. “Yeah, he picked up a lot of books on the road.”
“He could compete in a spelling bee. He could write books one day, maybe.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Cautious slurps filled the space between words. She set her cup in the saucer and handed it over to me. “Avi, I don’t have much time left.”
“You have plenty of time, Mom. Come on.”
“It’s terminal, Avi. Etta said it won’t be much longer.” She grabbed my hands as though she were attempting to pull herself from the ravenous ocean. “Your child needs another parent. I want to see you mate. I want to see youhappy.”
Tears beaded in the corners of her eyes. Heartbreaking as it was to see, I had to disappoint her. Because there was no mate for me, here or anywhere.
Jazmin had ditched us, and to think of Galanthia as a potential mate was honestly just a cosmic joke. That woman hated my guts.
My body sang for her scent. She wasn’t nearby, as far as I knew, yet her lush roses warmed me like the sun on a summer’s day. Gentle hues dazzled my vision like a kaleidoscope.
Mom shook my arm. “You have someone in mind. I can tell.”
