Page 16 of Unsaid Things

“Abby.”

“What are you doing there? Where’s mom?”

“I’m visiting. Where are you?”

“I’m in Texas with my boyfriend’s family. Why are you really there?”

“Texas, huh? You just left Mom on Christmas?”

“Please, Aaron. You have no room to criticize. You’ve been gone for years with barely a phone call.”

“But Mom had you here to look out for her. You weren’t supposed to up and leave her. Where in Texas are you?”

“Denton. And I didn’t up and leave Mom. I’ll be back in a few days. Megan and Chris were checking on Mom while I was gone.”

“You know she doesn’t like strangers.”

“Megan’s not a stranger. She’s been my friend since high school, and she’s been there for Mom more than you have in the last few years.” Abby couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice. Especially not with the way her brother accused her of abandoning their mother. Like he had any room to talk. He’d abandoned them years ago.

“Well, I’m here now. Tell your friend and her boy to stay away. They upset Mom when they came by earlier.”

“Megan was concerned. She said Mom acted weird on the phone yesterday and wouldn’t answer today. She was being a good friend by coming by. And she brought Chris in case there was something seriously wrong.”

“Whatever. Just tell them they don’t need to anymore. I’m here. I’ll be here until you get back.”

“How long are you there for?”

Once again he ignored her question. “When are you going to be home?”

“We’re supposed to get back on Friday night.”

“After Christmas.” He tutted.

Abby knew he was trying to get an emotional reaction out of her. It would give him something to use against her. She didn’t rise to the bait. “Aaron, how long are you staying?”

He paused for a long time, but finally answered. “I’m not sure yet. A while.”

“Why are you back? Where have you been?”

“Look, Abby, it’s been fun catching up, but I’m gonna go now.”

“Let me talk to Mom.”

“Nah. She doesn’t feel like talking on the phone today. You know how it goes. I’ll tell her you said hi.”

“No, Aaron. No. Let me talk to her. Put me on speakerphone at least.” She made her voice as commanding as possible. It didn’t make any difference. It never did before, either.

“Bye, Abby. See you when you get back.”

“Aaron. Aaron!”

Silence. She pulled the phone away from her ear, and the call had ended. “Motherfucker.”

“Abby?” Marissa stood in the kitchen again. “What’s going on?”

Abby shook her head. “Um, I don’t really know. My brother’s back home.”

“Is that bad?” Marissa’s brows were raised, her face open and curious, clearly unsure about the family dynamics at play.

Abby sighed. “Yeah, probably. I don’t know. He left after I graduated from high school. I don’t know where he’s been. I haven’t heard from him since my nineteenth birthday. He called me to say happy birthday. He didn’t call last year, though. And I didn’t figure he’d call for my next one in February, either. I didn’t think my mom had heard from him either. She never said anything, and I didn’t bring him up, because why? Why talk about another person who abandoned us?” Abby clamped her lips together and shook her head, trying to stop herself from rambling. “Sorry. I don’t—“ She shook her head again. “I don’t know what’s going on. I think … I think I need to go home. I don’t trust him. He wouldn’t let me talk to my mom. I don’t know what’s going on. I need to call Lance. I’ve gotta get home as soon as possible.”

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