Page 98 of The Facade

“I cooled things off with her last week,” I said, feeling a hint of sadness roll over me at the thought that it could be over between Cambrielle and me if she didn’t take me back when I was ready.

“Why did you do that?” she asked. “Was something wrong with the girl?”

“No,” I hurried to say before she could think anything was wrong with Cambrielle. “I just…” I shrugged. “I just needed some space with everything going on right now.”

“So it’s my fault?” she asked. Not acting like she felt guilty or defensive that her illness had taken priority over everything, just stating a fact.

I met her gaze. “I just didn’t want any distractions right now.”

“I guess I can understand that.”

She gave me a sad look. But then she said, “What’s the girl’s name?”

“You want to know the name of the girl I dated for five days?” I asked, surprised she would care when it hadn’t worked out.

“I know you said it’s a secret, but could you make an allowance for your mother if she promises to take it with her to the grave?”

My eyes widened, and I literally couldn’t believe she’d just said that.

“Oh, I know it was a bad joke.” She patted my hand. “But if I can’t joke about it, what’s the use in having this stupid brain tumor?”

My mom.

I was pretty sure if my dad would allow it, she’d arrange for him to have a comedian speak at her funeral just to keep everyone from crying.

And since I couldn’t deny my mom anything, I said, “It’s Cambrielle.”

It took a moment for things to register, but then her eyes widened and she said, “MyCambrielle?”

Yes, even though Cambrielle was the daughter of my parents’ best friends, my mom had always claimed Cambrielle as hers, too.

I nodded.

And my mom, knowing a little of my past history with girls, said, “You treated her well, didn’t you? Because I know I’m your mom and should side with you, but if you break my girl’s heart, I’ll have to spank your butt.”

It was of course an empty threat, but it just went to show how deep her affection was for Cambrielle.

“If you’re asking if it was the same as it was with all those other girls, I can tell you that no, it wasn’t,” I said. “It was different.” I sighed, remembering back to the past few weeks and how I’d felt when I was with Cambrielle. How she’d brought out a different side to me that I’d never had before and made me want to be better for her.

“Well, if I know Cambrielle like I think I do, then I know that she’s probably pretty torn up that my perfect son could let her slip through his fingers.”

“Maybe,” I said, picturing the way Cambrielle had looked at me when she’d come over yesterday and how she could barely meet my eyes as everyone had talked.

“But if you’re not invested,” Mom said, breaking into my thoughts. “Then it’s good you broke things off quickly. Because if I know anything about teenage girls, I know that when met with an opportunity to be with someone as amazing as my son, it would be impossible not to fall hard and fast.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re my mom,” I said.

“No, I’m saying it because it’s true.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m so proud of the man you’re turning into, Mack,” she said, moisture pooling in her eyes, suddenly emotional. “So proud.” She smiled through her tears. “If I did anything right, it was having you. You were my miracle baby who came here and gave me a reason to keep going when things felt impossible.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, because even though she wasn’t saying the exact words, it felt like she was saying goodbye.

But why would she be saying goodbye now when she seemed to be doing so much better?

She held her arms out for me, and I moved from my chair to sit on the side of her bed. I pulled her frail body against me.

“I love you so much, Mack,” she said into my chest. “So much that if they let me haunt you after this life, I will. I’ll haunt you just so I can watch you do all the amazing things I know you’ll do.”

I gulped, looking down at her. “I love you too, Mom.”

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