Page 75 of Bad Love

"You shouldn't dothat."

"Don't worry. I'm not goinganywhere."

Her life hasn't been easy. She does so much for my dad. She's his rock. From the look on his face, I think he's realizing that. Maybe more than he everhas.

I take her hand. "I'm glad you'reokay."

I sit with her for a while, talking about nothing, keeping up my end of the conversation so she doesn’t feel as if she hasto.

Meanwhile, I can’t help but notice the panels and screens behindher.

What would I have done if her fall had gonedifferently?

I would feel guilty, for one. I spend so much time worrying about them judging me, but maybe I judge them a littletoo.

After my mother falls asleep, my father sits with me. "The doctors think it was astroke."

"A stroke? She's fifty-five." I shake my head. "What else did theysay?"

"They're looking into medication. But keeping her stress low will help. They're hoping to send her home tomorrow. Will you staytonight?"

I shake my head. "I need to get back to Rory. Do you need some of her clothes?Toiletries?"

The expression crossing his face says he hadn't thought of that. "That would help very much. Thankyou."

I drive the backroads to their house—the house I grew up in—checking the clock on the way. It’s after pick-up time. Logan will have gotten Rory bynow.

I don’t know what I would’ve done if he wasn’tthere.

As a single mom, I do everything I can to cover my bases, but I’m usually working without a net. Having someone to catch me—to catch us, really—means theworld.

It’s only for today, I remind myself. Logan happened to be there. Heoffered.

Don’t get used toit.

Though I'm running late, I can't resist taking a moment to look at the photos in the hall. Me, my brothers, my parents. Our community, the church. Sometimes it felt as if they were all our extended family. For good and forbad.

In my dad's office with their challenges. At the church, bringingfood.

A life of service is a blessing, my dad always said. And I believe it. Helping others through this life is the greatest honor thereis.

Growing up as a PK, I was extra aware of the pressure. People expected me to behave at a higher standard. Not just like a good kid. They wanted me to be like an adult. Of course, nottoomuch like anadult.

And when I let them down by marrying Blake, then divorcinghim…

I look at the pictures of my brothers. Robert with his family. William with my parents. There are so many of them and so few of us, but I refuse to countthem.

I pack a few of my mom's things in a duffel bag. Pajamas. Two T-shirts, including one with a pretty collar, and underwear. Makeup, because she'd shoot me if I didn't bring it. The lone pair of sweatpants I have to dig out of a bottom drawer. My mom usually tries to look put together, but she might want somethingcozy.

Besides, if anyone visits her, her legs will be under the sheet. No one will know she isn't wearingslacks.

After packing, I blow out a breath and pull out my phone. Rory should be home from school bynow.

Hunter:How's yourmom?

Kendall:They think she’ll beokay.

Kendall:How are things with you? I'm sorry I'm runningbehind.

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