Page 32 of Broken

And it was then that she learned Dirty had been tovisit her parents and given them both a cold dose of reality, and it pulled hermother out of her spiral in a way no one had been able to do before.

She came to learn that her parents did in factattempt to visit her at the hospital. Dirty stopped it. Did he have the rightto do that? Hell, no. Would she have felt pressured and worried about herparents more than what was happening to her? Yes, and she hated that Dirty hadthought of that.

“Your father and I started to talk a lot more, andI told him the truth. Most of the time, the hot meal he got at night wasn’tcooked by me, but by you or one of the kids. That you took care of everything.”Her mother’s eyes were glazed with tears. “When you should have been worriedabout boys or studying, or doing anything else, you were being the mother.”

“Mom, don’t worry about it. I was helping.”

“You weren’t just helping. You were doing, andthat is why your father and I are going to take care of everything from now on.We’re going to pay you back the money we owe you.”

“Mom, come on, I was helping family.”

“And it was us that were supposed to support you.You shouldn’t be the one taking care of us. That will come later, much later,but for now, we’re taking care of you.” Her mother reached out and cupped hercheek. “I’m going to be the mother you deserve.”

“Mom, youarethe mother I love anddeserve.”

“I’m going to be better because you, Sweetheart,deserve better. All my children do.”

There was something different with her mother. Aspark. She didn’t quite know what it was, but she had never seen her motherthis way. It was so refreshing. Petal couldn’t help it. She moved toward hermother, and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, and probably was,she stepped into her mother’s arms and held her tightly. This felt good. Betterthan good.

“I’ve got you, honey.”

She held onto her mother. She didn’t know how longthe hug lasted, but at the sound of the kettle whistling, she finally let hermother go.

“Drink?”

“Tea, please. I’ve already had more coffee and mynerves are a little jittery.”

Petal laughed, and she made a drink for the two ofthem. Rather than drink it in the kitchen, they walked into the living room,sat down, and talked. She heard more about her father’s promotion, how Betty,one of her sisters, had gotten a credit at school. George finally took thephone call from his parents and promised to visit them when he was on leave.

It was good to catch up, and when her motherlooked at her watch, she clicked her tongue. “I’ve got to go,” her mother said.

Petal took the mug from her, got to her feet, and followedher to the front door.

“Don’t be a stranger, and you know what I’mthinking?” her mother asked.

“Not a clue,” Petal said with a smile.

“You and I should do lunch some time, or maybe thefamily will come to that new diner of yours.”

Petal’s smile widened. “I’d like that.”

Her mother hugged her tightly. “Love you, Flower,”her mother said.

Petal felt tears fill her eyes. Her mother hadn’tcalled her that in a long time.

“I love you, Mom,” she said.

Opening the door, Petal came face to face withRosalie. She looked at her best friend, whose eyes went wide when she saw Petal’smother.

“Mrs. Hargreaves,” Rosalie said.

“Please call me Petal, Sweetheart. I am so sorryto hear about your mother. George and I both were.”

“Thank you,” Rosalie said.

Petal watched as her mother and Rosalie embraced.

“We should all catch up soon, but I must get off.I’ve got work to do.” Her mother winked at her, and Petal smiled.

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