Chapter 66: Quiet truths

Sean later excused himself and went to the study, probably to help Connor look deeper into things, but I stayed with Mom. She didn’t say anything, she just gave a soft, tired smile and walked toward the garden. I followed her quietly.

We sat on the wooden bench near her flowers. The garden always smelled fresh, like mint and wet soil, and even though Mom looked calm, I could see it, her shoulders were tense and her mind was far away.

I hesitated, then asked softly, “Mom… can I invite Amanda and Anna over? Just so I don't go crazy thinking about everything?”

Her lips lifted into a gentle smile. “Of course dear. Those girls make you happy, you can bring them.”

I nodded gratefully and immediately texted them both.

Me: are you guys free? Come over, Please...

Amanda: On my way, babes.

Anna: I am already wearing shoes.

I put my phone down, and Mom chuckled when she saw my expression. “You have good friends,” she said.

“I do,” I whispered.

Not even ten minutes later, we heard excited voices from the front gate, amanda practically burst into the garden first. “HELLOOO HALLORAN FAMILY,” she announced dramatically, making me bury my face in my hands. Anna followed behind her, her jaw dropping as she scanned the garden. “Rose… you never told us this place looks like a royal botanical garden.”

Amanda pointed everywhere. “Girl look at those roses! Look at the orchids! My goodness is that a fountain? Are we at a resort?”

I looked at them with my eyes wide, giving them the I know right, even I’m shocked look.

Mom laughed softly. “You two are adorable. Come, sit.” Amanda sat down with a sigh like she was entering heaven. “Ma’am your garden? Wow. This is… wow.”

Mom giggled shyly. “Thank you, dear. Gardening keeps me sane.”

Anna suddenly gasped. “I will start gardening. Starting tomorrow. I don’t care, I will.”

Amanda elbowed her. “Girlfriend please, you once killed a plastic flower.” We all burst into laughter.

As always, Amanda reached into her bag dramatically and pulled out a deck of cards.

“Let’s play. I need money. Even if it is fake money. I need to feel like I’m winning at life.”

Mom actually clapped her hands. “Oh! I love cards.”

I blinked. “You do?”She nodded proudly. “Your father taught me. I used to beat him every week.”

Amanda fanned the cards in her hands, smirking. “Let’s see if you’re as good as you say.”

Ten minutes later, Amanda was staring at her losing cards like they betrayed her.

Anna was holding her head with both hands.

“I refuse,” she muttered. “There is NO WAY she won eight rounds straight. No. Criminal behavior.”

I leaned in and narrowed my eyes at Mom. “Mom… are you cheating?”

She gasped dramatically and placed her hand over her heart. “ME? Rose, how could you accuse your sweet mother-in-law of such a thing? Shame on you.”

She was absolutely cheating.

I loved her even more.

Suddenly, dark clouds gathered above us, and soft raindrops began falling. The breeze picked up, carrying the scent of the wet earth.

“Oh heck no,” Amanda squealed as she grabbed the cards and ran inside. “My hair! Not today!”

We hurried indoors, laughing and dripping water. The house felt warm compared to the cool outside. As I was wiping rainwater from my arms, Anna suddenly paused in the hallway.

She was staring at a framed photograph on the wall.

“Mom,” Anna asked softly, “is this you?”

Mom walked over, her expression shifting into something nostalgic. “Yes… that was years ago. Before the boys were born.”

Anna leaned closer, smiling. “You’re stunning. You look like one of those actresses from old movies.”

Mom blushed, something I had never seen before. “Oh, sweetheart… thank you.”

Just then, Sean and Connor walked downstairs. The moment they arrived, Anna’s jaw dropped again.

“You two literally look like your dad,” she said without thinking. “It’s like copy and paste.”

Mom’s smile froze.

Connor’s face softened instantly. He reached for her hand. “Mom,” he whispered gently, “let’s go to your room.” He led her down the hallway, his touch protective, almost fragile. Anna looked at me in confusion.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Sean shook his head gently. “No… you didn’t know.” He looked at all of us and sighed. “Mom hasn’t fully recovered from Dad’s passing. She puts on a strong face, but talking about him directly… it hurts her.”

Amanda and Anna exchanged sad looks.

“She was alone for years,” Sean continued softly. “She raised us by herself. And sometimes… when she’s alone in her room… she still talks to him. Like she is hoping he will answer.”

My chest tightened. “Sean…”

He looked at me and tried to smile, but his eyes gave him away. “It’s been hard on her,” he said. “But she is trying. She is always trying.”

Amanda wiped a small tear. “Oh my gosh… that’s heartbreaking.”

Anna sniffed. “Your mom is the sweetest person. She doesn’t deserve that pain.”

I reached out and held Sean’s hand. “We will take care of her. All of us, together.”

He squeezed my hand, his eyes softening with gratitude.

As we sat together, the mood finally lightened again. Anna kept glancing toward the hallway where Connor had taken Mom, and the way she tried to hide her smile was painfully obvious. Amanda noticed first and elbowed me, whispering, “Your sister is blushing so hard she might melt into the couch.” I covered my mouth to keep from laughing and looked at Anna, who immediately looked away like she got caught stealing. Sean raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?” he asked, and Amanda mouthed dramatically, Connor. Sean burst out laughing.

I leaned forward with a grin. “So… you like Connor?” I teased. Anna instantly hid her face in her hands. “No! I don’t okay maybe I do a little but can you all stop staring at me!?” she squeaked, making us all laugh even harder. Sean chuckled, shaking his head. “Good luck though,” he said playfully. “Connor doesn’t even know when someone is flirting unless you hit him with a chair.” That made Anna even redder, and she threw a pillow at us. The room filled with laughter again, warm and light, washing away the heaviness from earlier.