Page 55 of Searching for Sadie
Sadie stopped for a moment and took in her mother. The concern was written all over her face. The guilt of hiding from her started to creep in. Her mother had always been kind and supporting, but everything was always swept under the rug. So much of her life had been about her sister, but then her sister took all of them for granted. It was a breeding ground for resentment. While it may not be fair, it was there. Her parents just wanted to believe everything was fine instead of dealing with any of the issues.
"I'm kind of surprised you haven't changed anything," her mom said as she picked up a precious moment figurine that looked like a little angelic Dolly Parton.
"I know, I just couldn't bring myself to change anything. It feels weird... Do you want some coffee?"
"Sure," she said as she stopped to look at all the pictures that still lined the mantle.
Sadie turned and made her way to the kitchen. This was not how she was expecting her morning to begin. She put her hands on the counter and blew out a breath before getting a mug down from the cupboard.
As she was pouring the coffee the patio door slid open and she gave a surprised squeal as strong arms wrapped around her waist.
"Good morning, Songbird."
She turned, beaming up at him.
"Oh," her mother sounded from the doorway.
Lucas dropped her and turned to the woman with surprise covering her face.
"Mom, this is Lucas. He's my neighbor."
"It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dade," he said with an outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you. Did you know Aunt Rosemary?"
He gave the warm smile Sadie had come to associate with him. "I did. I lived next to her for a few years before we lost her, but me and my brother's all took piano lessons from her growing up."
"Aww, well isn't that nice," her mother said, putting her hand over her heart.
"She was a wonderful woman," Lucas said.
"She really was."
He cleared his throat. "I was just stopping by to see if you needed a ride to work. I'll be driving by there on my way to an estimate."
Glancing at the clock on the microwave, she had to be at work in an hour. "No, I'll be fine. Thanks for checking though."
“Okay... Well, then I'll see you later,” he said before turning to her mother. “It was nice to meet you,” he said before heading out the back door.
Sadie turned before her mother had a chance to give her the look she knew was on her face. She got her cup of coffee from the counter and braced herself to turn around and give it to her.
And there it was. The knowing smirk she knew would be there. "So, Lucas?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, he's my neighbor."
"Your neighbor who lets himself in and hugs you," she said with eyebrows high enough they were in danger of leaving her face entirely.
Sadie just looked at her, not wanting to really engage with any of this.
"And did he say you have a job?" she asked.
"I do. I'm just waiting tables at the diner in town."
"Oh well, that's nice. And you have to work today?"
"I do."
"Do you have any time today to talk? I really do want to talk to you?" The sincerity in her mother's voice was palpable.
