Page 227 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

“It’s fine,” he said firmly. “Really.”

Jordyn smiled, and nodded once. Reaching over, she patted the top of John’s hand with her own. “Someday, your sisters will see the man you are now, is not the boy you used to be, John. It’s been hard for them to separate their emotions from all the things that happened while they were growing up. Give them time, okay?”

John shook his head. “I don’t think they’ll ever be one hundred percent good with me, Ma. And that’s okay—I get that, too. I wasn’t good to them, and you can’t shake that kind of shit off. It’s a long history to work through, and they might never work through it. I don’t expect anything from my sisters.”

“I do, though,” his mom said.

John smiled, leaned over, and cupped his mother’s cheek. She smiled at the affectionate touch, and he felt guilty that he had not asked for his mother to visit him more during his time away. She loved him so much—she always had.

“I know you do, Ma, but don’t push them to do something that they can’t. I understand, and that’s what’s most important.”

Jordyn sniffed, and patted her hand over top John’s gently. “I’m happy you’re home again.”

“Me, too.”

“I’m proud of you, John.”

“You’re always proud of me, Ma.”

Jordyn laughed. “You still need reminders.”

He did.

He loved her for that, too.