Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Chapter Thirty-Three
STERLING
Iwas only a little nervous about being left alone with Forrest’s mom. So far, she seemed to like me. What could go wrong? Famous last words.
I stood, picking up my plate. “Let me help you with the dishes. This was an amazing breakfast,” I said.
“No, no,” Emily said, taking the plate from my hands and setting it on the counter. “Sit. Let me pour you another cup of coffee.” Emily refilled the carafe and brought it to the table. “I owe you an apology.”
I sat back down and held up my mug, watching the thick, dark liquid as she poured. I had to love a woman who made coffee so strong the spoon would stand straight up in it. I added a heavy dash of cream and sipped, smiling. “You don’t owe me any apologies.”
“No, I do,” she insisted. “That conversation yesterday wasn’t appropriate for your first visit here. None of us are rational on the subject of Alan’s death. Me, least of all. We lost him. It was devastating. And I suppose as much as I love Jerry, all these years later, I’m still not over it. I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of that.”
“You don’t need to apologize. This has been hard for Forrest, too. He wants to follow the clues his father left, and still…” I thought of the look on Forrest’s face when he’d recognized Bob and Sugar Mae—the sadness and the longing. “I think he’s had to grieve all over again,” I said.
“I’m sorry for my part in making it harder,” Emily said, her eyes, so like Forrest’s, heavy with regret. “I’ve always loved him so much, but when it comes to his father, I haven’t been the best parent. I wish I could go back.” She shook her head slowly. “But we can’t, can we?” Leaning forward, she braced her forearms on the table, her hands wrapped around her coffee cup, her eyes level on mine. “I need to know, are you going to kick him to the curb again?”
Taken by surprise, I sat back in my chair, lifting my coffee mug for a slow sip, stalling. I knew the answer. I’d known the answer for a while, but it didn’t feel right to tell Emily when I hadn’t talked to Forrest yet.
“I know my boy shouldn’t have lied,” Emily went on. “He knows he shouldn’t have lied. He got in over his head, and he made a stupid decision. He’s always been a good boy. Worked hard and didn’t get into too much trouble. Looked out for me. His grandparents. If anybody ever deserved a second chance, it’s Forrest.” She added cream to her coffee and stirred, giving me a chance to respond.
I didn’t know what to say. All I could do was wonder what it would be like to have a mother-in-law like Emily. I wasn’t used to this kind of parental relationship—the open love she had for Forrest, the way she’d hugged me. I wanted to be a part of this family. I could be. But that was for Forrest, first.
I couldn’t tell Emily what I was going to do about him—not until I talked to him—but I could give her the part of the truth that was mine alone. “He loves you so much,” I said. “My mom died before I was old enough to remember her. My stepmom was great.” I sighed, thinking of Darcy and her warm hugs. “But she wasn’t mine. And then I lost her when I was nine. My dad was…”
I shrugged. My father didn’t need any further explanation.
“I envy you two,” I went on. “I know things have been hard. I know you’ve been through a terrible loss, but I still envy what you have.”
I sat back, setting my coffee mug on the table, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m not great at trust,” I admitted. “And Forrest lying about who he was, why he got to know me, it hit me where I don’t have a lot of defenses. I was angry. I was really, really angry. But,” I let out a breath, “I spent the last year trying to get over your son. And so far, that hasn’t worked out very well. I’m not perfect—understatement of the century. I was pretty much a mess until not long before I met him. I’ve been working hard to get my life together, but…I’m not sure I’m the best person to judge him for one mistake.”
“So, you’re going to give him another chance?” Emily pressed.
I shrugged and picked up a piece of toast that I hadn’t finished, taking a bite and chewing slowly. After swallowing, I said, “I think it’s safe to say we’re figuring things out.”
Emily nodded, apparently satisfied, and started clearing the plates in front of her. “You won’t do better than my Forrest,” she said.