Page 32 of Savage Heart

“Oh, you know. Bracing myself for an eventful couple of weeks,” he says, laughing. “Good to see you. I’m so glad Linc was able to make it. Alex was much more excited once he knew Linc would be here.”

“They’ll have a lot of fun. Look out for my boy, would you?”

“You know I will.”

“Dalton, we need you over here.” Maverick suddenly appears next to us, scowling.

Dalton walks toward the horses and turns back to wave at me.

And then Millie Claire and her son walk up.

“Maverick,” Millie Claire coos. “You are such a brave soul for putting this together.”

“This is all Charlie,” he says.

She laughs and squeezes Maverick’s arm.

“Yet you’re out here all in charge and showing them who’s boss.”

Okay, that’s my cue to get the hell out of here.

I back away before she notices I’m here and walk toward Linc. He sees me coming, jogs over, and gives me a quick hug.

“Love you, Mom.” Linc smiles up at me.

I kiss the top of his head. “I love you too, bud. Are you sure you’re gonna be okay here?”

He nods. “I will.”

“Okay, I’ll be here in minutes if you say the word.”

“Okay.” He laughs. “Bye, Mom. I’ll take lots of pictures.”

I nod and get in the car.

I can’t get out of here fast enough.

Shadowbrook Care Center overlooks the river and was built to match the Wild West feel that the rest of Ironwood has. It was built ten years ago, which is considered new around here. Large windows let in natural light, and there are common areas where the residents can watch TV or read or just sit and look at the pretty view outside.

I don’t enjoy these visits. Growing up, my mom was difficult on a good day and horrific on a bad one. But she’s my mom, and I wouldn’t feel right about walking away from her.

The door to room 105 is open, and when I walk in, Mom is sitting in her chair, staring out the window.

“Hi, Mom.” I bend down in front of her.

She blinks and stares at me blankly.

“She’s not talking today.”

I look up to see Liz, one of Mom’s nurses, standing in the doorway. She gives me a close-lipped smile. Liz and I have come a long way. When I first brought Mom to Shadowbrook eight years ago after she fell and broke her hip, Liz wouldn’t make eye contact with me. After a couple years of daily visits, I came in one morning, and my mom had been moved to this room. It was a much nicer room, but Liz insisted it was no mistake. I checked with management, too, because this wasn’t just a small upgrade—it was double the size of her first room. They insisted Mom was where she was supposed to be. It was around that time that Liz started warming up to me more, which felt like a huge win.

“She’s been like this three days in a row,” I say.

Liz gives me a sympathetic look. “Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.”

I nod. “Thanks, Liz. I’ll come earlier in the morning and see if that makes a difference.”

My mom has returned her stare out the window, and I wonder where her mind has gone.