Page 8 of Corrupt Idol

She heard the manly clap on the back they gave each other and then Jesse’s, “It’s good to be home.”

Her father loved Jesse. He had no reason not to. Jesse fulfilled the role of son she hadn’t been able to. Jesse was well-liked by their parents and everyone in the community. To everyone else he was well-mannered, courteous, and a hard worker. No one would dream that there was something wrong with him. It was only when they were alone that he morphed into a completely different person.

She listened, dumbfounded, as Jesse talked to her father about fishing. He was so composed, so damn smooth, she wanted to pull her hair out. She didn’t know what to say or how to act. He made her feel isolated, lonely, bereft. The only way she knew how to cope was to ignore Jesse and stuff her emotions into the dark corners until she was alone. She had been in Austin for only a few hours and was on the brink of a breakdown.

“Vi.”

She turned to find Lynne holding out her hand. She ignored the men and went to her mother’s side. Lynne wore a pretty silk scarf wrapped around her bald head. She had thinned and was alarmingly pale, but her smile never wavered. Lynne grasped her hand in a surprisingly firm grip.

“I’m so happy to see you two together,” Lynne gushed. “You had time to talk? Settle your differences?”

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Dad and Jesse on the other side of the bed. They were talking, but Jesse was turned toward her and she could feel his gaze on her. He was listening. Did he think she would tell the truth? There was always a tiny voice in the back of her mind that urged her to spill, but she couldn’t and he knew it. Lynne was waiting for her to answer. She looked so goddamn hopeful that she didn’t have the heart to disappoint her. She nodded because she couldn’t speak.

“I’m so glad,” Lynne said and kissed the back of her hand. “You two used to be so close. Once Dad and I are gone, you’re all each other has.”

“Stop talking like that. I can’t…” She shook her head as her throat closed up.

“I’m sorry I kept this from you. I know you’ve had your own struggles in Utah. I didn’t want to add to that.”

“But…” Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s your life. I wish I’d known. I could have been here for both of you.”

Lynne cupped her cheek with an ice-cold hand. “My sweet girl. This isn’t something you should be around. It’s been a long journey of tests, bad news, and dashed hopes. You have your whole life ahead of you. If I told you, you would be as tired as your father is. This way, you’re focused on the here and now. We know the verdict and we have time. That’s all that matters.”

She brushed away a tear. “What happens now?”

“I’m coming home tomorrow. I’m not getting further treatment.”

She stiffened. “You’re refusing treatment?”

“There’s nothing more they can do and I want to be home.”

“But what if—”

“It’s all set, Vi.”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe this is happening. This can’t be!”

“It is.” Lynne’s smile stretched even wider as a tear slid down her cheek. “We’ve done everything possible, but it wasn’t good enough. My time’s up, but I have some requests before I kick the bucket.”

“Mom!”

Lynne slumped against the pillows and laughed. She didn’t know how to handle Lynne’s cavalier attitude about her mortality. She had never found anything less humorous in her life. When Lynne saw her expression, she sobered.

“I’m sorry, honey. I know this is hitting you all at once, but dying is a part of life. We’re not promised tomorrow. At least you know I’m about to die instead of getting a phone call from Dad saying I was killed in a car accident or something.”

True, butstill. “I’m… I can’t think right now.”

“Both of you must be exhausted. You should get some rest and Dad and I will be home tomorrow.”

Alarm bells went off in her mind. She looked across the bed at Dad. “You aren’t coming home?”

“No, I’m spending the night with Mom.”

Her gaze flicked to Jesse. “Maybe I should stay too.”

“Absolutely not,” Lynne said firmly. “Staying in hospitals isn’t fun. You two go out to dinner. Isaac, give them some money.”

Dad reached into his pocket, but Jesse shook his head.

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