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As I turn on the car, I hear my phone ding. Must be a new text message. I know it has to be from Brady. He's the only person who texts me.
I check my phone.Hope Brianna feels well soon.
Snow falls slowly as I drive through town, wondering why those five words made my heart leap in my chest. Especially when Iknowhe's with Charlie.
Am I really this desperate? Am I really this delusional? Am I really this dense?
He's with another woman—again—and I'm freaking out over a text message response.
I'm pathetic.
I've learned nothing.
I'm 31 and I still feel like I'm 19.
"Hey," Mom meets me at the door. "Brianna's on the couch asleep.Finally. Ava called. Ben and Bea were sick with the stomach flu yesterday. It's a 24-hour thing. She'll feel better tomorrow."
"I have some emails to send," I point to my bag. "I'll set up in the dining room."
"Brady was fine with you working from home?" Mom raises her eyebrows.
"He's not in today, so I doubt he cares," I say.
Mom follows me into the dining room. "Is he sick?"
"No," I shake my head, keeping my voice low. "He had a date last night. I'm guessing it went well."
I watch as Mom's shoulders sag. "I'm sorry, Iz."
"For what?" I clear my throat.
"I know it can't be easy working for him," she presses. "Knowing his schedule and where is he—or isn't."
"It's a good-paying job that's helping me take care of my daughter," I run a tired hand over my face. "I don't mind suffering through it."
"There are plenty of jobs out there," Mom rubs my back as I take my laptop out. "Your dad and I don't mind helping you until you find the right one."
"I appreciate that," I give her a small smile, "but it's my job to take care of my daughter."
"And it's my job to take care of mine," Mom gently replies.
"You are, Mom. You're giving us a place to stay and you're taking care of Brianna during the day. I can't ask for more. It's not fair to you and Dad."
Mom watches me slip into a chair at the dining room table. "It's good for me. I like having you and Brianna here. It was just Dad and me before, and he's gone most of the day. I know you think you're a burden, but you are not. This house was too quiet for far too long. We're enjoying the noise."
I didn't realize how lonely Mom must have been all these years. I left a decade ago when Ava did.
"OK," I give in. "If this gets too hard, then I will find something else."
"We want you to be happy," Mom wraps her arms around herself. "Whatever it is,whoeverit is, we want you to be happy."
"I know," I smile.
Mom tiptoes out of the room, and I open my laptop. I draft a few emails for Brady to look over, and then reply to several others. I type up the meeting notes from yesterday and then send them to both Brady and Angie.
While I'm working, Mom sneaks in and places a cup of tea beside my laptop. By the time I'm finished with work, the mug is empty and Brianna is waking up from a long nap.
I abandon my laptop and curl up on the couch with Brianna. She snuggles against my chest while we watch a princess cartoon. The house smells like chicken noodle soup when Dad comes home. He tosses his keys and wallet on the counter and hurries over to check on Brianna.
