Page 61 of Someone to Watch Over Me

I can only nod.

“Let’s do that again soon, okay?”

“Um, okay.”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for doing something that felt so good.”

“Tom—”

“Morning!” Cora comes up the stairs carrying grocery bags, unaware that she’s walking into an emotional firestorm.

At least, that’s what it is for me.

“What are you doing home, Lexi? Thought you were working today.” She starts unloading her bags. “Is everything okay?”

Tom glances at me as if he’s uncertain whether he should tell her my news.

“I got laid off.”

Cora stops what she’s doing and turns to me. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. I’m trying to see it as a blessing in disguise. I hated the job.”

“Who do we know who’s hiring?”

“Oh, that’s okay,” I tell her. “I’m going to take a second to figure out my next move.”

“But surely we know someone.”

“Cora,” Tom says, “ease up. Lexi needs a minute to catch her breath.”

“Of course. I’m sorry. It’s the mom in me. I see a problem, and I want to fix it.”

“Which is very kind of you.”

“If you want me to pass on some leads to you, just let me know. Between all of us, we know a lot of people with businesses who are always looking for good help.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

Cora shifts her focus to Tom. “You look better today.”

“I feel better.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

I don’t know her very well, but even I can see that she’s wound tighter than a drum and running off adrenaline after her brother’s near miss. I can’t imagine what kind of trauma his incident has resurrected in each of them after losing their father in a similar fashion.

Good old trauma, always in there, waiting to remind you that you’re powerless against memories you wish you could forget forever.

“I’ll be home until at least dinnertime,” I tell Cora, “if you have other things you need to do today.”

“I could use a day at home,” Cora says. “My house is a disaster.”

“Go ahead,” Tom tells her. “We’re fine.”

---