Page 96 of Told You So
“Now what?” I finally ask, wiping the moisture from my cheeks.
“Well, I suppose I should let you get back to, whatever it is you do on a Tuesday night.”
“Homework,” I tell her, and I step down from my stool.
She stands up and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Bethany,” she says, almost urgently. “I know what I’ve told you doesn’t fix anything. I know it might even make everything worse, but knowing what I do now...You deserve the truth.”
It’s the longest, most honest conversation I’ve ever had with my mom, and it means more to me that she could ever know. “Thank you.”
She nods, and I wonder when the last time was my mom had any physical contact. I walk over and wrap my arms around her. She’s rigid and unyielding at first, but only for a second before her arms wrap around me.
“I love you,” she rasps.
“I love you too.”
She cries into my hair and squeezes me tighter.
Her vulnerability speaks volumes, and for the first time in my life, I have hope that things between all of us might actually get better.
Fifty-One
Nick
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Professor Murray drones on with his condescending niceties, but I tune him out. Bethany isn’t in class today. She didn’t even text me, and I’m worried about what happened last night with her mom and that her absence has something to do with it.
“—projects due in just under a week, but I’m certain you’re all quite prepared for that,” he says sarcastically. “Because we have a few more weeks until the end of the semester, I figured, why not cram in the Victorian Revival period and an exam before the semester is finished. Some of you will be graduating, after all. Consider this my parting gift to you.” His eyes meet mine, only briefly, and all I can do is shake my head in disbelief. This guy needs to get laid.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out, anxious to see if it’s Bethany. I smile.
Bethany: Sorry I didn’t make it to class. It’s a long story. Meet me outside after.
I text her back, relieved.
Me: With bells on.
“Mr. Turner,” Professor Murray says. “Is there something more interesting than my lecture?”
I smile at him, barely able to contain myself. “Sorry. I just got some great news about my project.”
“Hmm. May I continue then?”
“By all means.” He eyes me carefully, his brow lifted like he doesn’t know if I’m just being facetious or if I’m that excited. My smile broadens, and he finally gives up and continues to address the class.
The next forty minutes feel like the longest and most drawn out of my life. Once class is finally over, I head to the bench where I’ve met Bethany once before. She’s nestled into the corner when I spot her, her hair up in a ponytail and her book bag at her feet. She hears my approach and glances at me, a smile parting her lips, and my heart flutters.
“Hey,” I say, my voice unexpectedly soft. I lean down at kiss her lips, then push her bag out of the way and sit at her feet.
“Hey you.” She’s freshly showered, her hair still damp and she smells of body wash or soap. I wrap my arm around her folded legs to pull her closer against me.
Her eyes are a bit red, but given the night she’s likely had, I’m not entirely surprised. She lifts her phone and shakes her head. “Anna wanted me to play hooky today, but...” she shrugs.
“Why am I not surprised?” I smile, but it quickly wanes. “So, how did it go with your mom?”
Bethany takes in a deep, steady breath and her eyes shimmer a little. “It was...unexpected.”
“Yeah? Are you okay?”
Her head bobs in contemplation. “Yeah, I am. At least, I understand now why my parents are the way they are with one another, and why there’s always been a push and pull between my dad and Jesse.”
