Page 65 of Sweeter Than Fiction

“Need is a strong word. I just think it would be nice if you did.”

I sigh. “Jill, why don’t you spit it out? I don’t have all night.”

“I’m worried about Mom.”

“Why? She seemed okay the other day when I was there.”

She runs her fingers through her hair as if trying to decide exactly where to begin. “I think she’s lonely. Lonelier than we thought. Donovan, she’s over here every single day—which is fine. I love her. But she’s now talking about online dating.”

“What?”

“Yes. Our mother is thinking about getting onto the interweb, as she calls it, and finding herself a man to keep her company. I think she just misses you. And the other day, she was talking about how we never get together for holidays anymore. This year, we are going to Disneyworld for Christmas. I invited her to come with us, but now, I need you to step up and come home for Thanksgiving. Either that or invite her up there for a trip.”

“Jill, you know she probably wouldn’t come. This place freaks her out. When I told her I was moving here, I thought she was going to worry herself into a heart attack.”

“I guess that means you’re going to come home then?” She asks it like it’s a question, but really, I know she’s not giving me much of a choice.

To sweeten the deal, she adds, “Why don’t you bring Abby?”

“What?”

“Yeah! You could bring Abby home! You know how happy it would make Mom to know that you have finally found a good girl?”

I squeeze the space between my eyes where a headache is starting to form. “Is this all some sort of master plan for you to get to meet my girlfriend?”

“Donovan, Mom needs you! Do I want to meet your girlfriend? Yes. But I think it would be better for Mom to meet her. She will get so excited that she gets to cook for everyone again, and she will be thrilled she gets to see her baby boy so happy.”

“Look, I will bring up the idea to Abby, but she is a bit of an introvert. This whole boyfriend, girlfriend thing of ours is still pretty new. I don’t want to freak her out and make her run in the opposite direction.”

“Oh, we will behave.”

I doubt that.

“Like, I said, I’ll talk to her. But I’m not making any promises. Either way, I will try my best to come home even if Abby doesn’t want to come with.”

“Thanks, Donovan, I owe you one.”

“And believe me, Jill, one day I will collect.”

We hang up, and I head over to Abby’s. I’m not going to push the issue of her coming to Nebraska with me. I’ll feel her out on the subject, and if I get any hint of her being uncomfortable, I’m not going to take it any further.

I knock on her door, and much to my surprise, I hear, “Come in,” rather than her greeting me as usual.

As I walk inside, I say, “I may not have lived in New York all that long, but I know that leaving your door unlocked is a big no-no.”

I shut the door behind me and lock it before turning to see her lying on the couch curled up into a ball.

“Abs?”

“Hi,” she says in a soft whine.

“Are you okay?” I ask, walking over to her.

“Yeah, I just—don’t feel well.”

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick again?”

“No. It’s not that kind of not feeling well.”

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