Page 43 of Want to Know a Secret?

I look in the room again, and my mother is now sound asleep. She looks peaceful. Dr. Williams is right. This is the best thing.

_____

Before I leave Shady Oaks, I say goodbye to all the nurses and make sure they all try some of my cheesecake bites, and I let them know that the remainder of the no-bake cheesecake is in the fridge. The nurses at Shady Oaks are absolutely wonderful, and they take amazing care of my mother. I try to let them know how appreciated they are.

Elliot sometimes tells me I go overboard bringing treats for everyone, but I love doing it, and honestly, who doesn’t like treats? Everyone appreciates it. And it’s what I do.

When I get to the reception area, Delilah gives me a big smile. “So how did the filming go?”

“It got a little dicey,” I admit. “My mom just wasn’t… She was having a bad day.” I swallow a lump in my throat. “Maybe she’s getting too sick to do the shows.”

“Oh, April…” Delilah reaches out to pat my hand. “You know how it is. There are good days and bad days. Dr. Williams will take care of her.”

“I know. You’re right.”

Bobby is sitting quietly next to Delilah, drawing something that looks like a dinosaur fighting a ninja turtle. His tongue is sticking out of his mouth as he concentrates. He looks a lot like Elliot at this moment. Which makes me miss my husband. I feel like I’ve been seeing him even less than usual lately.

And then an idea occurs to me. Something that will cheer me up after this disastrous afternoon.

“Hey, Bobby,” I say. “Do you want to go stop by Dad’s work? It’s on the way home. And you haven’t seen his office in years.”

Bobby’s eyes light up. “Yeah!”

I’m relieved. It was equally likely that he would think my idea was boring and lame.

It’s a great plan. Brianna has been a total bitch to me, but she’ll be nice to Bobby. She won’t keep Bobby from seeing his father.

We hop back in the car and make the ten-minute drive to Elliot’s office. I arrive at the parking lot of the building that houses Elliot’s office just after four o’clock. It’s good timing—he should be done with all his meetings for the day.

Just as I’m parking in the lot, I see a couple standing right outside the building. It takes me a second to recognize my husband and his beautiful blond secretary. I kill the engine and watch them for a moment through my windshield.

He’s standing incredibly close to her. They’re talking softly, and at one point, she reaches out and straightens his tie. It’s such an intimate gesture.

Then Elliot makes a beeline for his car, gets inside, and drives off.

“Mom, aren’t we getting out of the car?”

Bobby has gotten out of his booster seat and he’s fumbling with the door lock. “Don’t open the door!” I snap at him.

His eyes grow wide. “Why can’t I open the door?”

Brianna is standing outside the building, just watching Elliot’s car drive off. There’s a distinctly proprietary expression on her pretty features.

“Why aren’t we getting out of the car?” Bobby demands to know.

“I…” I swallow a lump in my throat. “It turns out Dad isn’t here. We’re going home.”

Bobby cries in protest, but I don’t care. I start up my engine and get the hell out of there.

Chapter 21

Dear residents of Pine Street,

Just a reminder for those of you with pets or who are considering purchasing pets:

There are no loud noises such as barking permitted on the block after 10 PM.

Please don’t leave fecal matter from your dog on the street for the rest of us to clean up.