Page 42 of Double Take

He raised a brow. “Like television-worthy hoarder?”

“Yes. Like that.”

He winced. “That’s tough.”

“It is. There are certain rooms that are off-limits because Dad keeps her in line for the most part, but the other areas are getting bad—which is why she was willing for me to come help her clean. Only it looks like I’m going to have to miss this time around if we don’t have this whole thing cleared up by next Friday.” Maybe she’d call her sister and give her a chance to help. Deep down, she knew Ellen would say no, but maybe if she tried justonemore time...

“Why does she do it?”

“I think it all goes back to her childhood. She grew up poor without anything to call her own, and then her father was murdered. At first, she just clung to those things that belonged to him, saying she couldn’t bear to part with anything of his. But now it’s morphed intoeverything. She doesn’t want to letanythinggo because she ‘might need it’ at some point.” She shrugged. “She knows she has a problem, says she wants to do better, but refuses to follow through on anything that would actually help her. Like counseling and staying on her medication. I keep praying for her and just trying to love her as she is.”

“That’s admirable.”

“Maybe, but I’ll also admit it’s a daily struggle. It’s hard sometimes. Extremely hard.”

He swiped a hand over his eyes. “Well, that all kind of puts me to shame.”

“What? No. Why would you say that?”

“Because I don’t have the patience you do.”

“Oh, it’s notmypatience.”

“You’re saying God gives it to you?”

“Most of the time, anyway, when I take the time to get prayed up.”

He smiled. “I like that. Prayed up.”

“My youth pastor used to use that phrase. ‘You can’t face what you have to face if you don’t get yourself prayed up.’”

“Good saying.”

“That’s not to say I don’t have my moments where my mom makes me want to scream, especially when I go over to help—at her request—and she refuses to let me in the door. But in general, after I make sure I’m all prayed up, I’m okay and can deal with her moods.”

“Your dad doesn’t let you in?”

“When he’s there and knows I’m coming. Which I try to make sure he does. But when he’s off on one of his adventure hikes or guiding people down the river...” She tilted her head.

“I had no idea.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Most people don’t. It’s not like I advertise it.”

“I can’t believe Steph never said anything.”

“Steph doesn’tknoweverything. I’ve never told her how bad it was.” She shot him a sad smile. “Why do you think we were always at your house and I never invited Steph to mine?”

He stared, remembering. “I guess I never really thought about it.” He hesitated, then seemed to make up his mind. “My mother hovers—it can be suffocating. I feel like I can’t breathe by the time I have to leave my parents’ house. I’m ashamed to say I used to practically yell at her about it. Thankfully, I’ve matured over the past few years and handle it better, but probably not as well as it sounds like you handle your mom.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure what’s worse. A mom who pushes us away or a mom who wants to hang on too tight.”

“I know which one I’d vote for, but it’s probably because I’ve never had that.”

He smiled. “You’re not the Lainie I thought you were.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You’ve always just been Stephanie’s friend.” He studied her with an expression in his dark brown eyes that made her feel like a bug under a microscope.

“I’m still Stephanie’s friend.”

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