Page 21 of Fierce Lies
Mom sighed. "I really wish you'd find a good one, honey. Both of you. You deserve happiness and love."
"I am happy," Ivy insisted, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "I've got my sister and my adopted mom. What more could I want?"
Mom smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. "I just want to know you'll both have someone good in your lives."
"We will," I assured her. "That's how life works, right? We'll find the right ones eventually."
"Yes." She nodded, then looked down. "You'll have good lives, both of you."
Something in her tone made my chest tighten. "Did Mrs. Cranky Pants sneak you extra pudding again? You're getting sentimental."
She laughed, the moment lightening. "No, no pudding contraband today."
"We'll be visiting Friday evening," Ivy announced. "And we're smuggling in goodies, even if I have to hide them in my bra."
That got a real laugh from Mom, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Ivy checked her phone and jumped up. "Gotta shower. I start later than usual tonight, they got me on these cycling shifts, some earlier nights, some later ones." She blew a kiss at the screen. "Love you, Mama Anna! See you Friday!"
After Ivy left, Mom's expression grew serious. "How are you really doing, sweetheart? You look tired."
I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. "I miss you. I hate being away from you like this."
"You're doing what you need to for yourself," she said gently. "Building a life."
"It feels silly. All I want is to have you around."While I still have you.
Her eyes grew bright with unshed tears. "I just want to know my daughter will be okay when I'm gone."
"Mom, don't?—"
"I'm not going anywhere soon," she assured me. "But you and Ivy need to look out for each other. You'll need that bond when... when I have to go."
"I don't want to hear you talk like that," I said, my voice breaking. I wasn't ready for that. I never could be.
"I'm sorry." She wiped her eyes. "Tell me about the apartment. Is it nice?"
We chatted about meaningless things until a nurse appeared in the background, saying it was time for Mom's checkup. I said goodbye, promised to visit Friday, and ended the call with an "I love you" that felt inadequate for everything I was feeling.
I sat there, staring at the blank screen, trying to compose myself. The sound of Ivy's heels clicking on the hardwood made me look up. She emerged from our room in a trench coat that barely covered a skimpy outfit, with a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Gotta run," she said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. "Don't wait up. Still okay for me to borrow your car?"
"Of course! Be careful," I called after her, wishing she'd wear something more suitable out the door and change at work. But this was Ivy, and her body was her income. At least she still carried that little red bottle of pepper spray my mother had gotten her.
"Always am!" She shot me a wide grin over her shoulder as she snatched up my keys from the end of the counter and headed out the door.
I just hoped she didn't take on an extra job tonight so I could still drive myself to work, but I'd already looked into public transit just in case.
The door closed behind her, and silence settled over the apartment. I opened my laptop, intending to do some work for Aaron Accounting, but exhaustion pulled at me. I moved to the bedroom, propping pillows behind me as I worked in bed.
The numbers blurred on the screen. I blinked, trying to focus, but my eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute. Just a short rest, I told myself, setting the laptop aside. Just five minutes...
Sleep claimed me before I could finish the thought.
8
ELENA
