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“Will one hundred be enough?” It was all I could spare.
“More than enough.” Her voice lowered, and her sad sigh drifted between us. “I hate that I can’t sendyoumoney, that you always have to help me.”
“I love you, Mom,” I choked out. “I’m always happy to help.”
Maybe it was a mistake for me to move here with Seyla. If I was in Chicago, I could be there for my mom, though she often refused my assistance. Money for animals or those in great need, yes, but rarely for herself.
But when Seyla proposed the idea, Mom insisted, stating it was time I ventured out on my own instead of hanging back all the time to be with my mother.
“Maybe you could move here,” I said.
“Oh, I couldn’t. I don’t mind the monsters; it’s not that. But I have a life here. Friends and all the good things that need doing.”
It was worth a try. “I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, honey.”
“I’m engaged.” There was no other way to tell her than to spit it out.
“Oh . . .”
I could read her surprise from her voice, so I rushed to fill in the gaps. “His name’s Tylik. We met, and it was sudden, and—”
“Tell me about him.”
“He’s wonderful. Kind and cute, and he’s so tall. He runs an apothecary, a kind of herbal spell store for those who do magic.”
“Is he a witch?”
“No, he’s an elf.”
“Like in that movie you watched all the time?” she asked with a sweet chuckle.
“Lord of the Rings, and yes. He looks a lot like one of the elves.”
“Does he love you? Does he promise to make you happy?”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her no. “I’ll make sure he does.” He’d give me a baby, and that would make me very happy.
I had no intention of telling her why we were getting married, nor who he was among the elf community.
“He’s a good guy,” I added. “I called to invite you to the wedding. I can send you extra for the bus.”
“Aw, that would be wonderful. When is it?”
“Next Saturday.”
“So soon? I didn’t realize you were dating anyone,” she said.
“We didn’t want to wait any longer. It’s going to be a beautiful wedding. I hope you can be here to share my special day with me.”
A long pause was followed by her second sigh. “We’re holding a huge fundraiser at the shelter this Saturday.”
“Oh, yes, I can see why you might not be able to make my wedding, then.” Damn, my chest hurt. “I’m sorry it’s such short notice.”
A long pause followed.
“I’m really sorry, honey,” she said. “This fundraiser is only held once a year. The animals need me desperately.”
