Page 17 of Drifting

When she rounds the corner, her hand flies to her mouth. Mine falls open, too, shocked at how healthy she appears. I’m used to seeing her pale with sunken eyes and lifeless hair. Now, her light brown hair flows around her flushed face.

“Oh, Shelby, baby.” Her eyes fill with tears. She rushes over, bending to give me a kiss, but I turn away.

Her face flushes to a shade of red that normally means she’s about to haul off and hit me. But she only straightens and gives the nurse a lopsided grin.

The nurse blushes, embarrassed to witness our unfriendly reunion. “I’ll go get the release papers.”

“That would be great.” Patty strolls over to the bed and sits as the nurse darts from the room.

Patty picks at her outfit. “You look good, other than the casts. There’s a lot I need to talk to you about, Shelby .”

I roll my eyes and scoff.

She winces. “I know I didn’t win any best mother awards, and it’s going to take a lot for me to gain your trust back. Not everything was bad, was it?”

“Guess what, baby, I’m off today. So, where does my baby want to go today?”

“Oh! Go to ’oo.” I was three at the time.

She picked me up and twirled me. “You want to go to the zoo? What do you want to see at the zoo?

“Roar!" I made claws and pretend to claw her.

“Lions. You know the lions are strong and proud. Are you going to be strong and proud?”

My little head nodded.

We took two busses to get to the zoo. It was honestly one of the best days I remember.

Pinching my nose, I sigh. “No, Patty, they weren’t all bad, but the bad outweighed the good.”

She sucks in a breath, her voice cracking. “I’m Patty, now, not Mom?”

“No, Patty, the day you dropped me off at Cin’s and didn’t pick me up for five years is the day you stopped being my mom,” I seethe through clenched teeth.

“I deserve that and more. All I’m asking for is a year, Shelby. Once you turn eighteen, you can leave and never speak to me again, if that’s what you wish.” She let out a shaky breath. “Plus, from what the doctor told me, you need some help for the next month until you can get that walking cast.”

I study her for a bit. Her skin has a real, healthy glow to it. She doesn't wear make-up today, other than a bit on her eyes, which are bright and alert, not the dull, checked-out look I’m used to.

She even acts differently. Calmer.

I do need help. I can’t take care of myself without assistance. One of the guys would let me stay at their place, but I don’t want to disrupt their lives. I did that enough when I wrecked.

“I have a few conditions,” I say slowly, thinking it through.

Shoulders slumping, she stares at her folded hands in her lap, not glancing up as I lay down my rules.

“I’ll stay until I turn eighteen, but I want signed emancipation papers now, in case you slip again.” I wait for her to nod before continuing. “And don’t expect us to be buddy-buddy. You lost my trust a long damn time ago. You have no idea the hell I’ve walked through for the past five years. I’m not the same sweet kid you ditched. I’m set in my ways, and I won’t change for anyone.”

She lets out a breath and peers at me through her eyelashes. “All I want is a chance, Shelby. I know I screwed up when it comes to you. Telling you I’m sorry isn’t enough.” She sits up taller, jutting out her chin. “I agree to your terms, and I can also guarantee I won’t slip.”

I can’t bring myself to believe her, though. It’s not the first time she’s made that promise.

CHAPTER SIX

After the nurse returns and goes over my paperwork, Patty leaves to pull her car around while the nurse wheels me out to the front entrance of the hospital.

Only a Mercedes Benz SUV waits in the pick-up area. No way Patty could afford that. I search for the shittest car around. That’s what she’ll be driving.

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