Page 52 of Send It
“Can I help?” I ask, clearing some dishes off the counter and setting them gently in the sink. She doesn’t immediately look up but when she does, I notice her watery eyes.
“Mom,” I whisper, trying not to draw attention to her. “What’s wrong?”
The moment I acknowledge she’s upset the floodgates open and she wipes a tear from her cheek, “Nothing. It’s just hard being in this house.”
I take the dishtowel from her hand and place it on the counter next to the sink, pulling her into the bathroom around the corner and handing her some tissues.
“Why is it hard? It never has been before.”
She plops down on the toilet lid and wipes her nose. “Kim was my best friend. It’s like we don’t even talk anymore. It didn’t really hit me until you said something the other day, but I’m really fucking pissed off, especially for Colson. It’s like she’s abandoned us all.” My mom doesn’t normally cuss so I know she is really upset.
“When’s the last time you saw her?” I ask, trying to remember the last time she was here.
“I think at the hospital for Colson’s surgery,” she says. “I don’t remember and that’s sad. It’s pathetic for Colson, you were right.”
I shrug, “It would be different if she called, maybe come by from time to time to check on him. Or asked him about things. She doesn’t do any of that. She’s not the Aunt Kimmy I remember growing up because the second Colson was old enough to use the microwave, she left.”
Mom nods in agreement, “I’m proud she’s off saving the turtles but she should be here saving her son sometimes too.”
I take her into a big hug, “Colson loves you, Mom. I know he’s thankful he has you in his life.”
“I love him,” Mom adds. “It’s not that I don’t want to help Colson. I’d do anything for that boy.”
“I know that and he knows that too. Have you talked to Brian about this?”
She shakes her head.
“Maybe you should,” I say. “We’re all family. Tell him how you feel.”
She straightens herself, wiping her tears and dabbing the mascara away with a tissue in the mirror. “Maybe I will.”
“It will make you feel better to get things off your chest.”
Mom eyes me through the mirror, “Are there some things you’d like to get off yours?”
I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment and wave her off, “Nope.”
Rushing out of the bathroom before she corners me and I tell her everything like a big blabber mouth, I run straight into Reiss on the way out.
“Where are you running off to?” He says. “We’re headed to Jackson’s for another bonfire, you in?”
I stare past him and watch as Colson’s jaw tightens, practically begging me to say no.
“Yeah, let me grab my bag. I’ll ride with you.”
Reiss smiles, “Hell yeah. I gotta grab Mira on the way.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Why?”
“Because she’s my friend?” Reiss says hesitantly and before he can say another word, Colson is strutting past us.
“I’m coming too.”
26
Colson
No way in hell am I sending Lincoln back to Jackson after what happened last time she was with him.
