Chapter 35

Chapter 35 “a mother’s love endures through all.” 7 Washington Irving

For a moment, we were both frozen. Her eyes roamed over me like she was taking in every new

freckle or strand of hair that had grown since we’d seen each other last.

And I was doing the same. She definitely looked older than the last time ’d seen her, and yet, she

didn’t look quite as tired as I remembered. There was a youthful glow to her, a spark in her eyes that

Pd never seen before. Although it was clearly her, the amount of life in her felt unrecognizable. This

was not the tired, strung-out woman I’d spent the first eleven years of my life with. This was

someone else.

“My God,” she whispered, “You look…so grown up.” Her eyes had been watery before, but now,

she was actually crying. There was a tight feeling in my chest. Every part of me was overjoyed to

see her – and yet, a tiny voice continued to whisper in my head. She abandoned you, remember? She

didn’t even bother to call.

Still, that little voice seemed to fade into the background when she clasped her arms around me and

squeezed.

The warm feeling in my stomach spread all the way to my toes. I was hugging my mom. In the

flesh. And she smelled exactly like I remembered – like the vanilla perfume she always wore.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” she pulled back and I

saw the tears streaming down her face. She had missed me?

The fear of rejection that I’d had about coming here, that my mom was going to turn me away,

seemed to evaporate. I felt like I was a little girl again, clinging to my mother. She had missed me as

I’d missed her.

sliding a bowl of mac

poor girl a moment? She’s got

mom said, smiling at me with teary eyes. She cradled my

in front of her. “I just can’t believe you’re here. I was worried

but instead, looked away and pulled

what she meant. She was afraid

was she afraid? All she had to do was pick up

her, but after another stomach growl, my body reminded me of

Food first, answers after. Ishoveled mac and cheese into my

so simple and easy taste

asked, taking the seat opposite my mother. She

manners were the

to look at Steve,

was wearing scrubs. Steve had said she was coming from

or doctor’s office

that’s defi

bounced from job

too long. She certainly didn’t look strung out now. She

a way I’d

he hospital now

be proud, Clark,” Steve boasted, “Your mom went back to school

her CNA license. She’s been working at the local

shly. “Oh, it’s not

him take hold of her hand, “You should

I stared at their conjoined hands and a realization suddenly

staying with him and that he was seeing

work any slower?

mom is

I know that

Just a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book

over there to dive into the next chapter—it’s

face must’ve been evident because Steve actually chuckled. “Oh, right,”

“This must look a little odd, huh?

on when I was around?” I wracked

until about five years ago. It was

thing for your mother much longer than that,” Steve said,

overwhelm her.”

were waiting for me to get my life

all I could think

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