Page 55 of Made Better Together

“I’m bombarded with asks for interviews, business opportunities…” she explains.

“I wish I could help you,” her mom responds. “But I’m clueless in that world.”

“There’s even more in my email inbox than when I was complaining last weekend,” Eden says back to her. “It’s really overwhelming.”

Oh, huh. Maybe her mom’s onto something?

“Do you want me to help? I can set up a conversation with Milo. It’s exactly what we do.”

Eden cocks her head. “You know, a few weeks ago, I thought I’d muddle through, but now that school’s started, I’m not sure I can handle it all on my own.” She looks to her mom. “I also need to make sure my grades don’t slip if medical school gets pushed down the road.”

Maureen nods. “Take advantage of Connor’s offer. Your dad and I will support whatever you need.”

“Okay. Yes.” Eden sighs and her shoulders ease. “Let me know what works for you guys.”

“Sure, I’ll text him later. He’ll be into it.”

Her eyes light up. “It’s good for you too, right? To bring in clients?”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“Well, I’m glad for it anyway.”

“A win-win,” Maureen says conclusively.

The food comes shortly, and we largely go quiet as we eat, though I sneak glances at Eden several times. I can’t believe she’s only three feet away, and nothing is going to keep us from spending time together from here on out.

She and her mom slip into a conversation about her game schedule and whether she’ll need plane tickets to California for the holidays. After confirming Thanksgiving will be at Del’s since it’s in the middle of her NCAA tournament, Maureen turns to me.

“What about you, Connor? Do you all stick here for the holidays or go back home? Where is home?”

“Alabama. But we’ve celebrated in Orlando for the last couple of years…”

“That’s not a terrible flight for your mom and dad to make, at least.”

I flinch slightly, but regain my control. “No, it isn’t. Though they don’t tend to join us.”

“Oh—” She stops herself.

Eden studies me for a beat before redirecting her mom’s attention. “I’m excited to come to California for Christmas. Do you think we’ll have a big family gathering this year?”

They launch into a conversation about the status of various aunts, uncles, and cousins, while I keep eating.

Observing a conversation like this between Eden and her mom—it’s almost more intimate than if I had her to myself at dinner. I can see the give and take between them, the deference she gives to her mom, the strong, loving way Maureen seems to manage her more dominant nature, the genuine care and concern tethering them.

I recognize it as a mirror of the interwoven relationships among my siblings, as four distinct personalities who love each other even with our differences.

When they go quiet, I think of a topic to hold up the end of my conversation. “Maureen, Eden’s told me about how your work has inspired her interest in neuroscience.”

“Yeah, Mom, you should share some of what you do with Connor.”

“Well, I can’t say much about individual patients because of privacy concerns, but I’m starting a new research project that might be of interest. We’re looking at the best ways to enhance neuroplasticity after age thirty.”

I attempt to remember what that word means, and Eden must catch the blank expression on my face. “Neuroplasticity is how your brain adapts and changes in response to different experiences.”

After I nod, Maureen continues, “There’s a common misconception that it ends around age twenty-five, but that’s actually untrue. Your brain doesn’t stop changing. It’s simply less…flexible, slower to adapt.”

I get the gist now, and needless to say, it’s fascinating. For Eden too, evidenced by her whipping off more questions to her mom.