AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘How’s Mac?’ I asked, looking down into my lap as she released me from her arms.
‘Don’t worry about Mac, he’s fine.’
‘Is he mad I haven’t seen him?’
‘Mad? No. Antsy, agitated, desperate? Absolutely.’
I picked up a discarded nugget and tore at the batter, dropping little pieces back into the box. ‘He just feels so wrapped up in it all that I don’t know how to be around him without seeing Tommy’s face.’
‘You need time, Katie. It’s okay to need time. And if I know my brother, he’ll wait until you're ready. No matter how long that takes. He’s already waited two years. What’s a little longer?’
I smiled at her words.
‘Is my mum still here?’ I’d seen her only briefly when I’d arrived, but hadn’t been ready for that emotional rollercoaster.
‘She is. She’s been teaching Cam how to bake. He made cinnamon buns this morning. They’re actually pretty good.’
‘I think I want to see her.’
‘Good. But first, I’m running you a bath and getting someone in to change your bedsheets,’ Maeve stood, gathering up the food detritus and dumping it into the bin under the desk.
‘My phone’s in the bath...’
Maeve just smiled and shrugged. ‘Of course it is.’
It was late afternoon when I entered the sitting room, seeing Grace and Elias on the sofa with Maeve and Cam watching an action movie. Slipping quietly to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of water and smiled at my mum. She was arm deep in bubbles, washing up dishes in the sink.
‘You know Cam has staff for that, right?’ I said, lifting an eyebrow.
My mum offered a smile over her shoulder before drying her hands with a dish towel and facing me, leaning back against the sink. ‘I know. I just got used to living a different way while I was on my own. How are you doing?’
The air was thick between us with uncertainty. I’d avoided her for months. She’d abandoned me for years. But after seeing what it was like to have dated someone who enjoyed hurting me, I understood her more than I ever had.
‘Not great,’ I said.
‘Oh, hon-- sorry. I know it’s too over familiar. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s alright. I’m sorry I’ve pushed you away. I didn’t know how to deal with you being back in my life. I was so excited when Maeve tracked you down, but then seeing you here, well, it hurt. It made your absence all the more acute.’
My mum closed the space between us, her eyes wet and her expression soft. ‘I can’t undo the hurt I caused, but I can try to make up for it. It killed me every day I was without you. I wanted to take you both with me, but your father would never have let you go, so I had to. It was the only way to keep you safe. But I know how much it hurt to be abandoned in his care. He was an awful man, and I will live with that guilt every day of my life.’
I was in her arms before I knew what I was doing, the warmth of her embrace healing one of the tiny wounds which littered my subconscious. Her tears wetted my hair as we sobbed together, finally taking a step toward a new tomorrow.
‘God, I’ve missed your hugs,’ I said, wrapping my arms tightly around her back, astounded at how much smaller she was compared to how she’d felt in my arms as a little girl.
‘I dreamt of this for so many nights, of having you and Cameron back in my life and safe. It might not be easy, but I’ll go at whatever pace you’re willing to have me around.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ I said before reluctantly releasing her from my grip, feeling a little sheepish.
‘Katie!’ Grace said, coming into the kitchen and practically launching her lanky teen self into my arms. ‘I tried to come in and give you my iPad to keep you entertained but Cam and Maeve banned me. I was going to let you play my Sims.’
‘I missed you too,’ I laughed, wiping at my eyes.
Grace leaned back and held me lightly by the shoulders while scanning my yellowed, bruised face and tear skimmed cheeks. ‘Good things can come out of bad situations. Maeve told me that after she rescued Elias and I. And you all are good things that came from that.’
Her words hit me like a bus. Who knew a teenager would have the wisdom I needed to hear? Grace had seen her share of trauma before ending up with my brother, and if anyone knew about appreciating a silver lining, it was her.
‘Thank you,’ I said, reaching up and taking her hand. ‘I needed to hear that.’
