Page 125 of When the Smoke Clears

“It’s safe there?”

My heart immediately starts thudding faster in my chest, the volume increasing in my ears. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Do you know anything about Alan’s house?”

“Alan’s—Okay, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Now I know how she feels when I drag things out.

“The house in Dallas burned down last night,” she says flatly. “The alarm company called me because our fire alarms were going off. When I called Alan to see if he was at the house, he blamed you.”

“Me? I was here all day. There are over a dozen people who can swear to that, if it comes down to it.” This is a new level of insanity even for him. I start walking without a clear destination in mind. “Oh no, what about the things you took from Nana’s?”

“I have them with me. I brought everything when I left.”

That’s a small relief. “Where are you?”

“I’m in San Antonio. At my rental.”

“Your rental?” Stephanie was extremely vague in her conversation to let me know she was leaving Nana’s. I knew she’d be in San Antonio, but nothing more than that.

“It’s temporary.”

I purse my lips.

“Anyway, Alan threatened to point the finger at you for the fire. So just be prepared for that. That’s not the only reason I called. I spoke to Kathryn, Alan’s other wife.”

“Fabulous. Did you get names or anything? I need to put a stop to the lawsuit soon.”

“Do you have a pen?”

“No, but I can put a note in my phone.” I quickly set the audio to speakerphone and open the application on my phone to jot the details down.

She rattles off the information quickly as I continue walking toward the stables. It’s not muscle memory just yet, but thankfully the fence line provides an easy guide and my feet make quick work of the path.

“Thank you. I don’t know what will come of this, but my lawyer seems to think it will be helpful.”

“I hope so.” Stephanie’s voice is earnest. “I don’t know how else I can help you right now. I’m sorry.” Her voice seems to stick. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you were younger. That I didn’t call Alan out for who he is. He’s not all to blame for the state of our relationship. I know that.”

I stop walking and stare at my phone, not taking it off speaker.

“There’s a lot of years’ worth of shit to go through,” she continues. My head pulls back and my eyes widen. Stephanie hardly ever curses. “If you’re willing, I’d like to give it a try. It’s okay if you need time.”

I’ve never been speechless before. I stare at the phone like an idiot, my mouth opening and closing the tiniest amount but not formulating any words.

“Maci?”

“I’m here. I…” What do I even want? Sure, I want a mother who cares. She’s right that we have a lot to wade through, and I have no idea where it will get us. If the last two months have taught me anything, it’s that we have to grab life by the horns while we can, because you never know when it will be too late. “I agree, it’s not going to be easy. I’m willing to try, if you are.”

There’s a tiny sniff from the speaker. “Ok. That sounds lovely. Please keep me updated on what your lawyer says.”

“Ok. I will.”

“Thank you.”

Our phone conversations usually end abruptly. Instead, this one is dragging on in an awkward fashion. “Talk to you soon.”

“Bye.” She finally hangs up.

Veda whinnies at me from the pasture. I lean against the fence, dialing Hank. Veda heads my direction as he answers. I run through the details that Stephanie gave me.

---