*Helen's POV*
Kelvin's goodbye kiss lingered on my lips as I closed the front door and leaned against it, smiling despite the strange tension that had marked the latter part of the evening.
"That went well," I said, turning to face my mother who stood in the hallway, her arms wrapped around herself. "Don't you think? I mean, besides the dizzy spell. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
Mom looked at me, and something in her expression made my smile falter. She seemed distant, like she was looking at me from very far away.
"He's very nice," Mom said, her voice oddly flat.
"Nice?" I laughed, walking toward her. "Mom, he's wonderful. I was so nervous about you two meeting, but I think it went really well. He clearly made a good impression, right?"
"Yes," Mom said. "A good impression."
Th
