Chapter 28

What the fuck was that?

I didn’t have time to figure him out,hurrying inside to see my mom instead.By the time I reached her room,I was a mess.Guilt from not seeing her,confusion over Jeff…it was all beginning to be too much.I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves before I pushed open her door and entered her room.

To my shock,she was sitting up in bed.Well,halfway,at least.The adjustable bed was elevated at the top,allowing her to lean back.Her head was turned away from the door and I wondered if she was actually awake.

“Mom?”I whispered hesitantly.

She turned and looked at me,a smile playing on her lips.“Aaron!”Her voice was rough,but she still sounded like herself underneath it all.

Oh,my God,talking!I rushed to her side and froze.I wanted to hug her,but didn’t want to hurt her.She raised her arms and I leaned in carefully.When she hugged me and began stroking my hair,tears poured out of me,a flood I couldn’t stop.

“It’s okay,Aaron.I’m right here.”Her fingers rubbed my head.

Memories of my childhood flashed through my mind…Mom holding me after I’d lost a tooth.Mom hugging me when my best friend in second grade moved away.Mom baking cookies.I breathed her in and pulled back,aware of her delicacy.

“I’m so glad you’re awake,Mom.”

She chuckled a little.“I am,too.”Her smile faded as she studied me.“You look tired.Are you not sleeping?”

“I’m okay.It’s hard to sleep in someone else’s bed,”I lied.

She nodded.“I’m so glad you’re staying with Jeff.I want you to graduate with your friends.”

I nodded.“Me,too.”I wiped at my eyes.“Mom,I’m so sorry…about everything.Not saving you from that monster.Not stepping in years ago.This is all my fault.”

“Aaron Pickard!This is notyour fault.It is not a child’s responsibility to rescue a parent.I’m the one that’s sorry.I should never have put you in that position.”She sighed and played with a string on the blanket covering her lap.“No child should have to see his mother being beaten.Thank you for saving me,Aaron.”Her voice cracked.

My throat tightened and I could only nod.

“We have a lot of healing to do,Aaron,and it will be hard.There’s a lot to take care of.You need to know,I’m divorcing your father.I never wanted my children to be without a father…”

I took her hand.“I’m not a child,Mom.It’s going to be okay.”

Her eyes shone as she cupped my cheek.“You’re right.You’re a man,Aaron.You have such an amazing future ahead of you.”

A knock sounded at the door.“That’s Jeff,”I explained.

“I’d love to see him.”

“Come in,”I called.

Jeff popped his head through the door and smiled when he saw my mom awake.“Hi,Mrs.Pickard!”

“Hi,”she greeted him,sounding a little winded.

Jeff and I dragged chairs to the side of the bed,then we all talked for a few minutes,catching her up on what else was going on in our lives.

Soon,Mom’s still partially swollen eyes fluttered shut,and Jeff and I shared a look.

He stood.“I’ll get the truck and meet you downstairs,Aaron.Good-night,Mrs.Pickard.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of Aaron.”

Jeff looked at me,making me blush.“Of course,”he said,his voice gravelly.

After he closed the door,I grabbed my mom’s hand and kissed her cheek.Her skin felt dry.Rough.But at least she had some color back.As I started to pull away,she held tighter.

“He’s a good man,Aaron.”

I raised my eyebrows.“Yes,he’s a great friend.He’s been very helpful with everything.”I felt a little awkward talking about him for some reason.

“Look at me,Aaron.It’s time to be honest with yourself and with me.He’s more than a friend.I don’t want any more secrets in our lives.Be proud of who you are,and know that I’m proud of you,too.”

My lips quivered as tears sprang to my eyes.She knew andaccepted me.“I love you,Mom,”I whispered,giving her a wobbly smile.

“I love you,too.You and Pamela are my whole reason for living.”She wiped at her own eyes.“Now,”she said brightly,“go have fun at this party.”She raised an eyebrow.“But not too much fun,okay?”

I laughed.“Got it.See you tomorrow.”I gave her a gentle hug.When she kissed my cheek,I felt her tears on my skin.I pulled back to look at her,concerned.“I can stay longer,Mom.”

“No,I want you to go have fun tonight.Really,Aaron.I’m tired.I need to get some sleep.”

I finally agreed and gave her another quick hug before she smiled and waved me out the door.