Page 71 of Still Love You

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Willow

"I'll be shocked if Silas shows up," I say to my mom. She got home a few minutes ago and we're gathering the supplies we need for the soaps. We decided to make soaps tonight and lotions tomorrow.

"I'm sure he'll show up." She smiles at me. "Any excuse to see you."

"That's not why he's doing it."

"Willow, stop denying how much that boy likes you." She nudges me as she goes by. "And how much you like him."

I don't bother denying it. She can read me like a book.

"Are you two going out this weekend?"

"Yeah. To a party at Trent's house. I might need a few dollars for the weekend. Just for food and stuff. I noticed the cash jar was empty."

"I'll give you some money before we leave."

"The jar's been empty all week. Any reason why?"

"Your father had to buy some tools for the farm and he didn't want to charge it. And I had to buy the supplies for the soaps and lotions."

She takes out a box that contains the scraps of paper that her homemade soap recipes are scribbled on. She spreads them out on the kitchen table.

"Mom, let me type those in the computer and print them out. You're going to lose those scraps."

"I don't mind the scraps." She hands me one. "Do you want to make the peppermint?"

"Sure." I take a seat at the table. "What's Silas going to make?"

"You pick." She slides the paper scraps over to me.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Some lady came by here the other day wanting to look at the house."

My mom drops the dish towel she was holding. "What lady?"

"I don't know. Just some lady. She was in the driveway when I was coming back from Silas' house. She asked if she could come inside. She thought the house was for sale. I told her she had the wrong address." I start sorting through the soap recipes. "I panicked when she said it. I thought maybe you put it up for sale and didn't tell me. But I know you and dad would never sell it. You guys love this house. So do I. In fact, I was just thinking that I kind of miss your crazy rainbow-colored walls. Remember when I colored on them when I was really little? You and dad didn't even get mad. You told me to keep going. I drew a picture of a giraffe and his turtle friend, George." I laugh. "I don't know why I gave the turtle a name but not the giraffe."

She doesn't respond. I look up and see her covering her mouth, tears going down her cheeks.

I jump up and hug her. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, honey. It's just hearing you talk about that made me miss those times. And you're right. I do love this house. I love all the memories it has."

My dad walks in. "Is everything okay in here?"

My mom wipes her face and smiles. "Yes. We're just getting everything set up."

I sit at the table again. "I told Mom you guys better never sell this house. I couldn't handle someone else living here."

My mom hurries down the hall. Where is she going so fast? She's acting strange tonight. 

"What's wrong with Mom?" I ask my dad.

He shrugs. "Nothing. She seems fine to me."

Men. They're so clueless. They never notice anything. She's clearly upset about something. Maybe her new job is causing her stress. She should quit. It's not worth being that stressed.

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