Page 60 of Every Breath

“I resent you for daring to imply I’m not a good mother. I’m a damned good mother. You’ve got some damn nerve to say otherwise.”

She was right. He realized he hadn’t said the right words. “I apologize. You’re right, of course. I think you’ve done a good job with Ben, but I want you to know I’ve changed.”

She had given him a look of skepticism and contempt. “The days when I thought you were a decent human being are over. Spots and leopards, Mason, if you catch my drift.” With that she had ended the conversation.

Mason didn’t know how he would make things up to Karen and his mother, but neither woman seemed ready to forgive past transgressions so easily. They were justified in their feelings, of course, but what exactly did they want from him? If his problems with Karen and his mother weren’t enough, he was absolutely torn that he hadn’t seen Brandi in over a week. He felt as though his heart had broken all over again.

He wanted to go to her and make her listen to him, but knew the best thing right now was to give her some space. He figured if she had time to think things through, she might be a little more receptive to him later on. To force her to listen to him would only serve to push her further away.

At least Mason knew that she was safe, because Paul had been keeping an eye on her and the kids. He was pleased to learn that Brandi called the police about Rodney violating the restraining order. As a result, Rodney spent a night in jail.

He only hoped that the letters that he sent to Rodney were enough to keep him away from Brandi until he could figure out a way to get Tina Reed to talk.

The poor kid. She had come out of her coma but the one-time Mason was able to visit her in the hospital, she cried hysterically. The nurse informed him the poor girl was terrified of men and wouldn’t even let any of the male doctors near her.

It would be a while before she could talk to anyone about what happened during the fire and the night two years before. He wished he could do something for her.

“Dad, are you listening?” Ben demanded.

Mason shook his head, clearing all other thoughts before turning to his son. “What is it, champ?

“Rita made cookies. Can I have some?”

Mason looked up to see the nurse standing in the room with a tray of cookies.

“Sure. Knock yourself out.”

“Cool.”

“I’ll take the little scamp to the kitchen to get him a glass of milk.” Rita held the tray out. “Would you like some, Mr. Collins?”

“No, thanks.”

“Mrs. Collins?”

The older woman shook her head.

“Okay. We’ll be in the kitchen and you two can have a little chat.” Rita smiled at them both before exiting the room with Ben eagerly following.

Once Ben and Rita left the room, there was complete silence. His mother shot him a quick glance, then turned her head away.

“Mom, you can’t keep ignoring me like this.”

His mother didn’t say anything. She examined her nails.

Mason sighed. He got up and walked over to sit beside her.

“Please look at me,” he pleaded. Mason reached over to take her hand in his. How was he ever going to win her forgiveness?

She snatched it away and focused angry eyes on him. “How could you? Your poor father would be rolling in his grave.” The raw hurt in her voice and eyes pierced him to the core. He wished that he could take her in his arms to comfort her, but he didn’t think she was ready for that.

“Mom, you have no idea how sorry I am for what’s been done. I know it doesn’t change anything, but you have my heartfelt apologies nonetheless. I’m trying to make amends the best that I can.”

“What do you know about having a heart? Do you think by putting me in this fancy place you can make up for what you did? I had an active social life and friends until you put me in that awful place. You made them think I was crazy. The orderlies stole from me, and a nurse smacked me. I was never treated so shabbily in my life. When I told you and begged you to take me away from that place, you wouldn’t.” She started to cry.

Mason touched her shoulder, but she flinched away. He felt sad for her and incensed at the man she had given birth to. How could anyone treat their mother like this? Helen Collins had every right to be bitter. The pain she must have endured after her husband’s death was tragic, and her son hadn’t helped.

Rita rushed out of the kitchen in alarm. “Is everything all right?”

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