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Luna unfolded the tiny slip to find a handwritten message.
Please talk to me,
Sam
“I don’t think he was the one who left this time,” Ross said. He stood and made his way to the door. “I better get back to the shop. Aanya might start wondering where I’ve disappeared to. Take it easy the rest of the day, but you’re coming back tomorrow.”
“Ross,” she called. He stopped and waited as she approached. “You—you know I love you, right? You’ve done so much for me, and I appreciate everything. I couldn’t have had a better big brother.”
He pulled her into another hug. “You’re my Lulu. Always. I love you too.”
For Ross, Luna forced herself to go to work the following day. And the same for the next day. And the day after that. She could do this. Mia appeared at one point and took her to lunch. Luna got to hold the baby as much as she wanted. It was great to focus on something requiring her full attention.
“You can come over and see the baby whenever you want, Luna. Just send me a text first. I’ve been too tired to get out as much these days, but I love your company, so you’re always welcome to visit. I think I went a whole week without leaving the house and I’m not sure I liked it. And I have to get a haircut at some point. I’m considering shaving my head. I’m sick of the whole thing.”
There was no doubt Ross had talked to Mia about the depressing sights he’d witnessed inside the bungalow a few days prior. Surprisingly, Luna wasn’t angry about it. Mia had always been nice to her and treated her like a welcomed friend from the start. She was glad Ross had married her and brought her into Luna’s life as well.
When she returned to her office, Luna retrieved her phone. She found her previous message sent to Tessa, still unanswered. She typed a new one.“You were right. I was a horrible friend and I’m sorry I hurt you. I don’t blame you for being angry and not wanting to be friends with me anymore. I should have appreciated your friendship more. I know you’re probably done with me, but I really need your help.”
When her phone buzzed a few moments later, Luna jumped. With shaky fingers she unlocked her phone to find the message:“What do you want?”
She could have answered the question many different ways because she was a woman who had many selfish wants, but this time was going to be different.“Ross’s wife just had a baby and really needs a haircut. I want to book a house call appointment (Grandpa Victor’s house). I don’t live there anymore so you won’t have to see me. She’s really sweet, the complete opposite of me. I’ll pay anything, just send me your bill.”
The follow-up text was Tessa’s Venmo request and nothing else, not that Luna could expect much. She paid the bill, which was much higher than the salon discounts she used to enjoy, but the price was worth it. Luna was doing something good for someone who deserved it and perhaps Tessa would soften with time.
*
“You doing okay?”Ross asked her a few days later inside her office.
“Hanging in there.” If Luna assumed getting over Sam would be fast and easy, she would have found herself disappointed. For God’s sake, she was still crying in bed at night. Escaping might be the only way to put it all behind her. She was beyond exhausted and looked the part too.
“You should come over for dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Ross stood and walked from the office, but her heart froze when she heard him say, “Amy?”
“Is Luna here?”
Anxiety hit her.
“Uh,” he said. “Did you tell her you were coming?”
Luna straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and pushed herself to be brave. She stood, walking to the doorway behind Ross. Luna didn’t know what she had expected but she remembered her mom being quite vivacious, plus she was familiar with the old photos her grandfather had kept. The reality was her mom was smaller than she imagined, her dark shoulder-length hair frizzy, thin, and mixed with gray strands, her face gaunt. Her mother returned Luna’s gaze of shock with her own.
“Luna,” her mother said on a breath.
She didn’t know what to say, crossing her shaking arms and replying, “Can I help you?” as though Amy was a regular customer.
Amy stood there, watching her carefully. “I was hoping we could talk. I know our last call didn’t go well, but it might be better in person. All I’m asking for is the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Please.”
Ross’s face was full of silent questions directed at Luna. She didn’t need him fighting her battles. She could handle the woman who stood before her. “Fine. We can go next door and grab a coffee.”
“You’re really pretty,” her mother said after they took a table with their drinks. “You kind of remind me of Skylar.”
After all this time, flattery wasn’t going to move Luna’s heart. “Why are you here? Is this about easing your conscience or something?”
“You’re very blunt. I’m sure your grandfather loved that. I’m in remission. I’m not going anywhere yet. I would have contacted you sooner, but I thought it would be better if I reached out again after getting a clean bill of health. This way you know I’m here because I want to be, not because I need to make amends before I die.”
