Page 67 of The Nicest Thing
"That's not what I meant," she said back.
I tilted my head.
"If Rose's family has any sense, they'll love you on sight."
"Thanks, Mom," I said.
"I'm serious."She hit me with that all-knowing stare now."Why are you worried?What could they possibly find wrong with my son?"
I rolled my eyes."Lots of things."
She narrowed her gaze."Like what?Everyone loves you—Rose included."
My chest warmed.
Did she love me?
Would it ever be how I love her?
As if my mother had a direct line to my brain, she nodded with a sigh."I see."
"See what?" I asked.
"You still haven’t told her?"
I tried not to show any outward signs of panic.
Wasn’t sure I succeeded.
Clearing my throat, I said, "Not sure what you mean."
"Oh, Finn."
Two words.
But they conveyed so much.
Daisy O'Brien was a lot of things, a Southern U sports legend, one of the winningest coaches, female or male, in collegiate history with a ton of both softball and baseball victories to her name, the best mother to her six kids, a loving wife who missed her husband and celebrated his life that was cut short too soon by living her own life to the fullest every day.And if that wasn't enough, she was apparently now psychic.
I opened my mouth, but she held up a hand.
"Before you say anything, I didn't read your mind," she said.
"Are you sure?" I replied.
"Didn't have to.Every time you mention her name your voice changes."
I scoffed.
"It's true, Finn."
"Her name," I said flatly."That's how you knew? Just by the way I say Rose?"
She nodded.
"How do I say it?"
"With reverence and awe, like it's your favorite name in the whole world.It's the same way your father used to say mine."
