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My mom rocked.
Locking the door behind me, I traipsed down the hall to the kitchen where her diminutive form was busy cooking up a storm.
This was probably my favorite room in the house, and the least used.
It was a sunny yellow with cream cabinets and appliances and accessories in a cheerful red. The windows overlooked the back yard which was currently pretty grim but was real pretty in summer.
She had her back to me, but she murmured, “Coffee in the pot, sweetheart,”
I sighed. “You’re a star, mom.”
She looked over her shoulder and grinned at me. “I know. But it’s nice to have my talents appreciated.”
Laughing, I hustled over and kissed her on the cheek. I poured myself a coffee after retrieving a mug from the drainer, took a sip, then murmured, “Need a top up?” Hers was half empty.
She shook her head then dished up. Passing me a plate, she grabbed hers, and together we headed to the small dining table that only just fit in the compact room.
We didn’t speak as we ate. And I appreciated that. I didn’t really have any words, and my body, whilst here, wasn’t where it wanted to be. My heart was with Cooper. And as pathetic as that sounded, it was how I felt.
He’d done it again. Snatched my heart from me and left me behind.
My bottom lip quivered and I placed the cutlery down against the plate, and fisted my hand. Mom’s shot out and she clasped mine with her own.
“All will be well, sweetie,” she told me gently.
I peered up at her, aware my eyes were brimming with tears. “What if he doesn’t come back?”
She smiled at me, but it wasn’t sad. It was warm and brimming with hope. It was a sight I needed to see, I realized.
“He’ll be back.”
She sounded so confident, I could barely believe it.
Blinking, I whispered, “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I knew he’d be back this time, and he was.”
“Seven years late!” I retorted.
She shrugged. “Seven years, seven days. You love someone like you love Cooper, like I love your father, seven hours can be too much sometimes.” She pulled a face. “Being separated is never easy. And throw in distances?”
I grimaced. “Tell me about it.” Blowing out a breath, I squeezed her hand. “He’s going to pitch something to his bosses.”
“Like what?”
“Justin likes him, likes his ideas, his way of thinking. And you know how weird he is.”
Mom nodded, but she was smiling too. “He’s certainly an odd duck.”
I snorted. “He’s more than that. And he knows it. But anyway, he likes the way Cooper works so he’s shared a lot of his designs with him. Ones that are in the works of being manufactured.” I shrugged. “Wants Cooper to work on all the advertising campaigns.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “That sounds like a very big deal.”
“It is. If Cooper can bring that account to his agency, then he’s probably in line for a promotion or something. A raise, at least.”
“Wow. Good for him. He always was a smart boy. And that means he’d be working here, wouldn’t he? For some of the time, at any rate?” Her eyes twinkled. “Justin likes things hands on, after all.”
I couldn’t hide my smile. “Yeah. That’s the plan. But it’s not set in stone. His bosses could always say no.”
