Page 25 of By Your Side

My eyes track as he leaves, the air whooshing out as I release my breath.

Mom holds up some samples she’s put together. “What about this countertop, with this cabinet and paint color?”

The palette is pretty. A white granite with gold splashed throughout, paired with a darker stained maple cabinet. The color she selected is a beautiful bluey purple. Almost lavender but with more of a blue tone.

“Oh, I really love that. And you know I tend to be drawn to the same colors, but that paint color will tie in with the rest of the house.” Nodding, I smile as she sets it on the “yes” pile.

Mom and Dad have been visiting for a few days and their presence has made my home an even happier place. Since arriving, Mom has helped me make all the decisions on the finishing touches of the renovations while Dad has been tootling about the yard.

He comes in from outside. “I changed the oil in your car and filled it with gas. I need to go buy a chainsaw; I’m going to take some trees down that look about ready to topple over.”

He fills a water bottle, ignoring me as I protest that I can hire someone to do that.

He gives me a stern look. “Now why would I let you pay someone to do it later when I can do it now?”

With that, he leaves.

Shaking my head, I look at Mom and we burst out laughing. “Some things never change.”

It’s mid-morning before Owen comes sauntering into the house, freezing when he sees me and Mom sprawled on the floor with more samples around us, Nora weaving between us, purring.

Mom stands, smiling at him. “You must be Owen. Adeline has told us so much about you.” She holds out her hand in greeting. “I’m Kelly.”

Owen holds out his hand, smiling at her. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry to intrude. Adeline told me you were visiting. I’m here to grab some measurements, then I will be off.”

Tsking, Mom shakes her head. “Nonsense. You should stay for lunch. Adeline’s father, Eric, is just outside cutting a few trees down, but lunch is ready in the slow cooker. I can call him in.”

Glancing at me over her shoulder, I shake my head at him. Arguing would be pointless.

“Thank you. I would love to join you.” He excuses himself to go grab the measurements he needs.

Mom moves into the kitchen to set the table, her eyes unreadable. The shift in atmosphere makes my skin itch, but instead of pressing, I clean up the samples I know I don’t need.

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting at the table with my parents and Owen. What should feel awkward doesn’t. Dad and Owen are talking about the work that’s been done so far, Dad praising Owen on the quality.

“I must admit, I felt conflicted when Adeline said she hired a contractor. I was happy she decided not to take it all on herself”—he gives me a look—“but also worried she would be taken advantage of. Now that I’ve seen the house and met you, I can honestly say she made the best decision.”

I mutter, “I’m sitting right here. You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not in the room.”

“I couldn’t say no when I realized she was watching random folks on YouTube to learn everything,” Owen quips.

My parents laugh while I scowl.

Owen smiles at me, nudging my arm with his elbow. “You have to admit, learning in person is way better than searching for videos on your own.”

Rolling my eyes, I glare before smiling. “It’s true. I’ve learned a lot. And we have fun.”

After Owen leaves, Dad heads back outside while Mom and I clean up.

“I love seeing you so happy. I’m proud of how far you’ve come since last year. I know it was difficult, but you made the right decision to move here.” Mom wraps her arm around me, kissing the side of my head like when I was young.

My smile is genuine when I look at her. “It helps that you pushed me into talking to someone beforehand, I don’t think I could’ve managed all this without doing the work on myself first.”

Her eyes are sad as she recalls practically forcing me into the car when she realized I hadn’t eaten in two days and was neglecting myself in almost every other way.

Reaching out, I take her hand. “Thank you. I really mean it. And I’m sorry it took me so long to say so.”

Tears glisten in her eyes as she pulls me into her arms.

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