Page 91 of Everything We Left Unsaid

“I know.” I place my hands on her arms. “But keeping them locked up in here isn’t doing anybody any good. She’s not coming back for them.” She chokes out another sob. “She would want someone else to enjoy them. Chloe is her niece. Who better to pass her precious books onto than her?”

Abby stands as I talk my mom down, holding a confused Chloe close to her chest, a spark of fear dancing in her eyes. I hate that she’s afraid of what my mom will do. I hate that she feels the need to protect Chloe from her.

Once we’re alone, I grip her a bit tighter and duck down so she has no choice but to meet my eyes. My heart breaks for her as tears stream down her face. “You can’t keep treating them like this,” I warn. “They won’t come back if they feel unwanted. You’re going to lose them. You’ll lose your only grandchild.” I hate myself for what I’m about to say, but I have to get through to her somehow. “And then you’re going to lose me.” I release her and walk out of the room, down the hall, and into Abby’s room. I’ll talk to my dad and see if he can convince her to go back to counseling. If this is how she reacts toward her only grandchild for playing with some long unused books, then she desperately needs it.

Abby and I prepare dinner together after dismissing the kitchen staff for the day. Dad entertains Chloe while we recreate the first meal we ever cooked together: fajitas. This time, we make enough for a small army. Logan and his girlfriend, Amelia are dining with us tonight, along with my parents. Dad assured me that Mom will, in fact, be joining us and will be on her best behavior. He seems at a loss with what to do with her and doesn’t know what’s causing her to act this way, but his theories match up with mine.

“Have either of you made any headway on finding out who had my phone?” I ask Dad in a low voice, not wanting to be overheard. Logan and Amelia have taken over playing with Chloe while Abby mans the steak, chicken, and veggies sizzling on the stove. I don’t need to elaborate. He knows what I’m referring to.

“We’ve questioned most of the staff who worked here at that time,” he answers grimly. “No leads yet, but there are two people left to talk to, and your mother hasn’t been able to reach them. She’ll keep trying, though,” he assures me. “We’re going to figure this out. Together.” He emphasizes the last word.

I trust my father’s abilities, but my confidence is waning. I want answers. I need them.

The night air is mild and comfortable, so we take our dinner out on the back patio as the sun dips below the horizon, painting yellow and pink streaks across the sky. My mother joins us, her eyes bloodshot and her face unusually pale. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her so emotional, much less cry. I had no idea having Abby and Chloe here would affect her so deeply. A heaviness settles into my chest with the knowledge of her personal anguish. I’m not cruel or without empathy for her, for the pain that’s resurfacing after lying dormant for years, but at the same time, I have to protect my family. I just hope that she and Abby can mend their strained relationship before it’s too late.

“This is delicious. You guys did a wonderful job,” my mother praises, breaking the uncomfortable silence that has descended over the dinner table since her arrival. Her voice is huskier than usual, strained by her earlier outburst.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Thank you,” Abby replies quietly, unable to meet her gaze. She’s still hurt and ashamed about what happened earlier. I tried to reassure her that she didn’t do anything wrong, but she feels like my mother truly hates her now for coming into her territory and soiling Peyton’s memory.

Conversation flows relatively easily after that. Logan tells us about school and his rigorous football schedule, reminding my parents which games the scouts will be attending. We also get to know Amelia a little better since she’s a fairly new addition to our circle.

After dinner, Amelia volunteers her and Logan to clean up since Abby and I cooked. He groans and rolls his eyes but stands and collects the dishes, following her back inside. Dad rises from his chair and leans in to press a kiss to the top of Mom’s head. Straightening, he places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and they share a look before she nods, dismissing him. She’s clearly preparing to speak with Abby and me in private. Relief and worry tangle in my gut as I await her speech.

“I owe you both an apology,” she begins, keeping her eyes downcast. She grips her napkin tightly, wringing it until I think it might tear. “I haven’t been myself lately, and I let my emotions get the best of me.” She heaves a deep breath and blows it out before continuing, her eyes finally lifting as she shifts her gaze between Abby and me. “That room has remained untouched by anyone but me and the housekeeper for many years. I’ve not been able to move her things or get rid of them, not because I think she’s coming back,” she says, her eyes landing meaningfully on mine, “but because they remind me of her and I never want to forget.” Her voice cracks and her misty eyes begin to leak, tears now dampening her cheeks.

She sniffles and wipes under her eyes before continuing. “When I saw you in there, when I saw someone else touching her things, I just kind of lost it. I wanted everything to be in the exact same place that she left it, and it wasn’t anymore. I don’t know why, but it made me feel even further away from her. It was like losing her all over again.”

“I’m so sorry!” Abby cries. “I had no idea you felt that way.”

My mother looks back at me, and though I can’t quite read her expression, it’s almost as though she’s seeking my approval. “No need to apologize. It was a simple misunderstanding and I handled the situation poorly,” she admits. “I would like to be able to put this all behind us and move forward so I can get to know my granddaughter.” She gives Chloe a watery smile.

She’s been surprisingly quiet throughout this little discussion, and I realize why when I see the pile of cookies stacked next to her plate. They’re the same kind Dad used to sneak us when Mom wasn’t looking. He’s a sly fox, my old man.

“I see your father is continuing his tradition of sneaking cookies to children when he thinks no one is watching.” She quirks a brow at Chloe, whose hands and face are now covered in crumbs.

She knew the whole time? And said nothing? Perhaps I’ve been too harsh on her all these years. Somebody has to play the role of the bad cop, I guess. Who will it be between Abby and me?

Definitely Abby.

I think I’m finally starting to understand my mother a little bit better.

The next day,my last full day with Abby and Chloe, goes by way too fast. We go to brunch with my parents before doing a little shopping. Abby informs me that Chloe doesn’t have a Halloween costume yet, so we remedy that immediately. She prances around, clutching her pale green fairy dress to her chest. I drag Abby into Victoria’s Secret and pick out several lingerie sets for her, which she vehemently tries to refuse to let me purchase.

I pull her in close, my voice low and full of gravel when I speak into her ear. “This is more for me than it is for you.” Her eyes widen at my bold declaration in such a public space. Her cheeks flush just before I press a quick kiss against her lips. When she steps outside with Chloe as I stay behind to pay for the sexy underthings she agreed to let me purchase, I instruct the saleswoman to add several more items of my choosing in the same size while Abby isn’t looking.

After our shopping spree, I take them to my house to show them around. There’s no crew working today, so I figure it’s the best time to let them see where I live.

“It’s beautiful!” Abby praises.

I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to my chest. “Do you think,” I begin nervously, almost too afraid to ask this question, “you could see yourself living here one day?”

She sucks in a sharp breath and her eyes go wide. “I... I don’t know,” she replies, and I sense the honesty in her answer. “I’ve never considered moving away. I’ve never had a reason to before.” She pulls her lip between her teeth, biting into it nervously.

Shit, I shouldn’t have put her on the spot like that.We haven’t even talked about where we go from here. It’s something we’ll have to discuss eventually, though. I’m already tired of the long-distance thing.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” I kiss the top of her head and nuzzle it under my chin. “We have plenty of time to figure all this out.”

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