Page 55 of Trails of Temptation

“Take mine,” she breathed, reaching for her belongings on the side table and pulling out her ring from a small bag. “I don’t need it where I’m going.”

“Mom—”

“I’m serious, George. Take back whatever ring you bought her and give her this one. I know this girl. I know she’s good. I know she’s deserving of you—”

“She’s not,” I argued.

“Well, it’s humble of you to recognize that about yourself.”

“I messed things up with Pete, the only family she has left.”

“Life is too short to linger on mistakes and it’s about damn time you do something for yourself, George, for the love of God and all things Holy. You always wanted a family. Kids, a wife, the works. That has been my wish for you your entire life and I’m thankful you finally found it, even if I won’t be here to witness it.”

She shakily handed me the ring, closing her fingers around mine. “Don’t worry, George. Everything will be okay.”

How many times had I said those exact words to Keely with no idea if they were true or not? I looked down at the ring my mom had worn for over forty years. It was a small diamond but set in a beautiful gold setting with a matching gold wedding band. It had been her engagement ring, something she’d never taken off, even after Dad died. Rubies formed around the center diamond. I was sure it had cost a small fortune back in the day.

“Pete will come around. He always has.”

“I try not to think of him if I can help it.”

“Well, be that as it may, you have your whole future ahead of you, and a good one at that. Don’t dwell on Pete and especially don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine. I’m old and tired, George, and I’ve been without your father for far too long. He’s calling me home, and I am ready to go.”

“I’m not ready for that. I should have visited you more. I should have been there—”

“You’re here now.” She smiled, patting my hand. “That’s all that matters. But promise me something,” she said, her eyelids fluttering.

“Anything.”

“Don’t feel like you need to be here when I die. I don’t want that for you. I’m just fine, George. I’m more than ready.”

“Mom—”

“Promise me, and also go get some rest and see a doctor for those scratches on your arms.”

“Fine, I will,” I said quickly, choking back sudden tears. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, honey. I’m happy for you. You’ll make an exceptional husband and father when the time comes.”

She fell back asleep quickly, and I did exactly what she’d made me promise I’d do.

I walked down to the Urgent Care attached to the hospital and let a few nurses patch me up. I needed stitches, apparently, even though I hadn’t thought it was totally necessary. I checked on my mom again, finding her asleep and my aunt asleep in the chair next to her bed before I left the hospital entirely and checked into a hotel across the street.

I showered, shaved, and ate at the chain restaurant next door for dinner. When I checked on my mom again, she was still sleeping soundly.

“Goodnight,” I whispered, kissing her on the forehead before I left with no plans to return until the next morning.

I found a store that sold phone chargers, something I’d forgotten to pack in my haste, and charged up my phone.

I still hadn’t called Grant or Keely and felt like a total jackass for not doing so, but even as I pulled up Keely’s contact info, I couldn’t find the nerve to call. What could I even say to her right now? I could barely say the words myself.

My mom was dying. I’d ruined Keely’s relationship with her brother. Everything was a mess.

The clock read ten at night when I finally gave up on calling anyone and got in bed.

The next day passed with little change in Mom. I spoke to her when she was awake, talking about my childhood and listening to stories about my father. I left whenever she slept, walking aimlessly around the hospital. I went back to my hotel at night and stared at my phone.

Keely hadn’t called or texted. Neither had Grant. They could have called when my phone dead for over twenty-four hours and I just didn’t know, but still. Telling them what was going on made it all the more final.

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