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“Thank you.”
“No worries,” I said. “Would you like white, sourdough, whole wheat, or a bagel?”
“Wow. I feel like I’m in a restaurant. So many options.”
“My mom does a lot of shopping.” I laughed. “She keeps Costco in business.”
“No, I don’t, Beau. You’re starting to sound like your father.”
“Well, it’s true,” I said.
“I think I’ll just have whole wheat, please,” Olivia answered.
“Sounds good. And you’re sure you only want one slice?”
“Yeah. Just one will do, thank you.” Olivia grabbed the plate that my mom handed her and walked over and sat at the table. I put the bread into the toaster and waited.
“Arya,” my mom asked, “do you mind looking after this omelet for me for just a few minutes? I need to talk to Beau about something.”
“Oh, of course. I’d love to.” Arya jumped up from the table and went to the stove.
“Can we go to the study, Beau?” Mom was smiling, but her eyes looked more serious than normal.
“Of course,” I said and nodded. We left the kitchen and headed to the study. Mom closed the door behind her and took my hand.
“We should sit for this.”
“What’s going on, Mom?”
“I’m going to tell you something.” She sighed as we sat down on the small couch that was in the room.
“Mom, you’re scaring me.”
“It’s about your father and me. Well, we—”
“Oh my God. You’re not getting a divorce, Mom. You can’t get a divorce. You’re in love.”
“No.” She frowned. “Why would you think we’re getting a divorce?”
“I don’t know. When parents come to you talking like this, well, it’s normally about a divorce.”
“We’re not getting divorced, Beau. Don’t worry. But your father told you that we’re going to Seattle, right?”
“Yeah, but what for? He wouldn’t tell me why.”
“He doesn’t want you to know. He doesn’t want any of you boys to know, but I think you should. You’re the oldest and I’m going to need your support.”
“Mom, what’s going on?” The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as a sense of uneasiness swept over me.
Tears started flowing down Mom’s cheeks, and she wiped them away quickly. “We’re going to a hospital in Seattle. You cannot tell anyone. Your dad doesn’t want anyone to know. You understand?” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
I nodded gravely.
“Your dad needs a stent in his heart. He has heart issues.” She broke down crying. I pulled her into my arms and just let her sob. We sat there for what must have been ten minutes, with her just crying while I rubbed her back.
I could tell her heart was breaking, and I knew this was probably the first time she’d allowed herself to cry. She was strong, and I was sure she hadn’t wanted my dad to see how anxious she was.
She finally pulled back and looked at me. She held my face in her hands and gazed at me. “Oh, Beau, you are such a support to me and your father. You are such a good son. I mean, all of you boys are, but you have really taken on the responsibility of Horseshoe Ranch, and I love you so much.”
