Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
The smile that had curved her lips fell. “I don’t know why you enjoy hurting me, Nicholas. As far as I’m concerned, that marriage was null and void. That woman took advantage of my poor sweet baby, and she ended up killing him. I should have fought harder to rescue him from that bitch. I swear to God I will kill her if I see her again.” There was a low threatening timber to her voice that made me realize she meant every word of what she was saying.
I was playing a dangerous game with Frankie staying in my house. If my mother were to find out she was staying in my house, she would have a fit.
“Well, it’s not likely you’ll see her again.”
“Hmm, I should hope not. You know, honey, I was thinking, I live in that big house all by myself, and I get so lonely…”
I stiffened hoping she wouldn’t suggest me moving back in with her or her moving in with me, so I preempted her by saying, “Well I could come visit more and keep you company, and maybe you might consider joining a support group for parents who have recently lost a child.”
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively before grabbing a menu. “I don’t want to sit in a room listening to a bunch of other people cry. Besides, they didn’t know my Kenny, so they couldn’t possibly understand how I feel.”
“Mom, it’s a support group. I’m sure they have an idea of what you’re going through. They even have specific groups for parents who lost children with special needs.”
My mother looked up from her menu. “No, thank you. As I said, I’m not interested. Besides, I didn’t finish what I was saying before you rudely interrupted me.”
“My apologies for offering a suggestion make things better for you.”
“Your sarcasm is not necessary, young man. You may be an adult, but I’m still your mother.”
I grabbed my water glass and took a gulp to keep myself from making a retort.
“Anyway, since, I’m alone in that house all by myself, I was thinking of maybe fostering some children. Maybe children with special needs. So many of those little darlings need homes too, and I have so much love to give.”
This was the last thing I expected her to say. “Mom, that’s a time-consuming endeavor. Besides, you should be enjoying your golden years. Maybe take a cruise and see the world. Enjoy yourself. Taking on another child especially one that had medical issues can take its toll. You remember how things were with Kenny. He was mostly independent, but with all his health problems, you had no time to yourself.”
My mother was silent for a moment seeming to take in my words. She tilted her head to the side. “Are you suggesting I’m too old to do something like this?”
“Mom don’t twist my words. I’m simply suggesting that there are other ways to occupy your time. Besides, you may need help like a nurse depending on the severity of the child’s issues.”
“You clearly don’t think I’ve thought this through. If I need to get a private nurse, then I’ll get one. I wasn’t telling you this to be judged but as a courtesy. I’ve already started the paperwork.”
My brother hadn’t been dead that long, and she was already looking for a replacement. Was this her way of filling the hole any parent would have in their heart after such a loss. “I just don’t think this is a good idea. Besides, there are programs out there where you can mentor a child if that’s what you want to do.”
“Apparently you think I’m not capable of running my own life.”
“I think you’re quite capable, but with Kenny not being gone for that long, you might want to consider holding off, and when you’re in a better frame of mind, you can revisit it.”
“If I had known I wouldn’t have your support, I wouldn’t have brought the subject up.” She picked up her napkin and dabbed the side of her eyes even though no tears seemed to come out. All I’ve ever done was love, support and take care of my children, and you all just hurt me in some way. Even my sweet Kenny who took off with that bitch. But I blame her mostly. And then your sister. Well, she was always a headstrong one.” My mother shrugged on that last part.
I frowned. She didn’t often talk about Robin, but when she did, it was usually to be dismissive as if it didn’t matter.
Robin, my younger sister, who was a couple years older than Kenny, had always been a bit headstrong, and she and my mother would often bump heads. I tried my best to be the intermediary between the two of them but there always seemed to be tension between the two of them. It never felt like the regular mother and teenage girl dynamic. As my sister got older, she was often rude and disrespectful to my mother. Until one day, I had to intervene. It was shortly after graduation Robin had learned she was accepted to school overseas in the UK. She packed her stuff and left.