With a sense of hesitancy, he reaches out and brushes a strand of fallen hair from my brow. He always appears so affected when we touch. “Okay, as long as you’re sure.”
I nod. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. You seem to be doing that a lot lately.”
Something changes in his face, but it’s gone a second later. “Did you want me to kick everybody out?” A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips.
I can’t help but laugh. “As tempting as that sounds, I think I better see this through. This is all part of moving on, right?” Both he and Charley nod, smiling sadly.
Taking a deep breath, I turn to look at my mom, who has tears welling in her eyes. I wish I was the daughter she remembers, but I’m not. Something has changed inside me.
“Goodbye, Mom.”
A single tear slips down her cheek, and just like th
