Page 22 of With a Cherry On Top

She hums, crossing her arms.

“But it may be months before she comes back—if she ever does. So...I went ahead. And Sadie seems to like her. I’m sure it’ll be good for her.”

Ma nods, watching me with that expression like she’s reading through me. “That’s good. Real good.”

I hold her gaze. “You’ve been talking to Josie.”

“Did she say?”

I nod. “Right before she refused to even say hello to her daughter on the phone. And basically blamed her drinking on me.”

“Aaron, you know I’m not Josie’s biggest fan. She broke both my boys’ hearts. So much chaos for our family.” She shakes her head with a frown. “But she’s still Sadie’s mother?—”

I pick at a loose thread on the table cloth. “Is she?”

She looks down for a moment as though weighing her words carefully. “She hasn’t been the greatest co-parent, I’ll give you that. But for what it’s worth, she cares. I’ve heard her. She cries over Sadie. She misses her. More than you might realize.”

I swallow hard, my throat tight.

“Your anger is justified—believe me, I get it. I see how much you do for Sadie. But Josie is Sadie’s mother, and whether we like it or not, that’ll never change. For Sadie’s sake, we have to support her, encourage her, and give her a chance to come back.”

My shoulders sag as the weight of it settles in, and Ma reaches over, gently patting my hand. “It’s not easy. But you’re strong, and you’re doing the right thing for Sadie. Just remember, you don’t have to carry all of this alone. Whatever you need, you callme, okay?”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm?” She gently slaps the back of my head. “Want to try again with your mouth open?”

“Okay,” I grumble.

“Okay what?”

“Okay, whatever I need, I’ll call you.”

“Good. Now take the trash out, please.”

I stand, grabbing both bags. They’re unexpectedly heavy and as I open the door, something inside clanks loudly.

“That’s your ma’s doing,” Darren says as he trails after Sadie down the hall. “Four glasses, two plates, and one vase. She says they were accidents, but I have a strong suspicion she’s been getting rid of whatever she doesn’t like around the house.”

I huff out a laugh on my way out, still thinking of my mom’s words. Maybe Ihavebeen harsh on Josie, and whethershe deserves it or not, hostility won’t make her come back any sooner.

I’m taking the last step back up the porch when I hear the phone ring inside. My mom’s voice comes next as she says, “Hello?” Then, “Oh, hi. Yes. Okay.”

I enter the kitchen and she covers the phone with one hand. “Call Sadie, please?”

Sadie?

I walk to the living room and tell Sadie someone’s on the phone for her. It must be Logan—he’s the only one who knows we’re here every Friday night.

“Hello?” Sadie grips the phone and brings it to her ear, her face splitting in a wide smile before she bursts into tears. “Mom! Mom, is that you? Daddy, it’s Mom!”

What?

Mouth wide, I turn to Ma, who gives me a silentI told you so.

I can’t believe Josie called. I can’t believe she’s talking to Sadie.

I walk to my beautiful, crying daughter and sit next to her on the floor, dragging her onto my lap. As she mumbles a few yeses and noes, I pull her hair back and dry her tears.

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