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My phone rings not even a whole minute later and it’s my mom calling.
I answer.
“Hi, Mom.” My voice cracks.
“Oh Chloe, I’m so sorry.”
I hold the phone a second, feeling choked up. Feeling like a little kid who just wants her parents to make everything all better. There was a time when a hug and kind words from either of them did make everything in my world right again.
I feel for Derek and Grace. And the other Steele family members. And also, I feel exceedingly emotional that my mom is calling me. That she sent me that text at all yesterday, wanting to spend time together, wanting to do something we haven’t done in a decade in a half. Emotional that she’s currently acting like… well… a mother toward me.
“I’ve got the news on now,” she says. “Dad isn’t awake yet, but I’ll tell him and if there’s anything we can do, please let us know. Please give Derek our condolences for his mom and let him know we’ll be thinking good thoughts for his father.”
My phone makes a text alert noise.
“Thanks, Mom. I’d better go,” I say.
“Keep me posted. Text me if you’re too busy to call. Just… text over some updates. Okay?”
“I will.”
“We’ll be thinking of you both.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, “Lah-love you. B-bye for now.”
“Love you, too, honey,” she says softly.
When I press end, my hands are shaking. I can’t remember the last time she and I exchanged I love yous.
The text I missed was from Alannah.
WTF? I just saw the news. Where are you?
I call her.
She answers right away.
“Hey,” she says softly. “Where are you?”
“Hey. At home.”
“Home?”
“The house in Dublin,” I say, feeling strange at referring to this place as home.
“You okay? What’s happening right now?”
“I took Derek to the airport. He’s on his way to New York. His mom died at the accident scene, but his dad is in surgery, apparently. That’s all I know. I’m here by myself just waiting for updates.”
“Want me to come over and hang out with you?”
“Could you?”
“Of course I can.”
“Oh God, yes, please.” I’m feeling immense relief.
“I’m on my way. I’ll bring coffee and donuts and… some flotsam and jetsam. I’ll be there, soon.”
