Page 126 of Call Back

She shot me a grin. “Take the damn pills, or I’m going to whip you?”

“Oh, Momma . . .” I rolled my eyes. “You said our life lessons often come with a bitter medicine, but we have to take it to be better people.”

She reached for my hand and rested it on her stomach. “I was too hard on you, Magnolia. I’m so sorry for that.”

“That isn’t the point of this story, Momma. You said I had to take the medicine.” I paused. “I need you to take the medicine.”

A weak smile lifted her lips. “Oh, Magnolia. You never could understand a metaphor.”

“Lila!” Tilly gasped.

“She took the damn thing literally, Tilly.”

“Well, of course she did! You were talking to an eight-year-old!”

“I’ve taken my medicine, Momma,” I said softly, tears gathering in my eyes. “I think I’m becoming a better person.”

Her smile fell. “Magnolia, you are a beautiful girl, inside and out. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become, but you were always in there. I’m sorry if I’ve made you believe differently. Your father would be disappointed in me.” She looked defeated, and I couldn’t help wondering if that was part of why she was giving up. “I wasted our precious gift.”

“It’s not too late,” I said through teary eyes. “Take the antibiotics.”

She gave me a sad smile. “I’m not going to get to tell you all those stories, Maggie. I’m sorry.”

I choked on a sob. “You could if you wanted. You’re giving up on me again.”

“No, Magnolia. No.” Tears slid down her face. “I’m tired. I’m so tired.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry I’m letting you down again, but I just want to stop hurting.”

She’d been hurting for years—I’d been the source of a good portion of her pain. I needed to perform one selfless act and give her what she wanted. Even if it was the hardest thing I’d ever done. “Okay, Momma,” I said in a whisper, my heart ripping to pieces in my chest. “Okay.”

“Roy’s going to fight it. I need you to stand strong.”

She was putting me in an impossible situation, yet I found myself nodding. “Okay. Anything, Momma.”

“Lila!” Tilly protested, getting out of her chair and rushing up to the side of the bed. “You stupid, stubborn woman. The world’s not done with you yet.”

“Maybe I’m done with the world, Tilly.” Momma turned her hopeful gaze to me. “Is Roy here?”

I tried to keep the sting of her request from showing. Of course she wanted him. “He and Belinda are in the waiting room. I’ll go get them, but I’d like to come back when they leave. I want to stay with you.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything.

I walked out of her room on autopilot, not stopping until I found Colt sitting in a chair in the waiting area. He sat slumped in his chair until he saw me; then he got to his feet. I saw Roy and Belinda out of the corner of my eye, sitting in the opposite corner of the room.

“Roy,” I said without looking at him. “Momma is asking for you.”

He stood and arrogance rolled off him in waves. “Of course she is. I’m the one who was there for her after you ran off.”

I knew he was searching for hurtful things to say. After Momma died and Roy found out the details of her will, things would get worse, but he didn’t scare me. I’d handled a whole lot worse than my brother.

I glanced up at Colt. “I’m hungry. Would you like to get something to eat before your gig?”

He smiled down at me. “Absolutely.”

We started down the hall, and he glanced over his shoulder at my brother and Belinda as they headed toward my mother’s room.

“I can stay, Mags. I can cancel.”

I shook my head. “No. Roy can’t touch me. He’s scared of you now. Go to your gig and don’t worry about me. I’m planning to stay with Momma tonight.”

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