Page 98 of Wish You Faith

“Sure.” Mei got off her chair. “Let’s go.”

Rosie supposed Mei was putting aside the rest of the interrogation.

Mom looked into the distance, to the other side of the pool, where the covered area was. “I think the cart is coming soon. I called for a ride to the activity center—or what we’re now calling the community center.”

“Did you forget I was going to drive you?” Rosie asked.

“Yeah, but by the time I realized it, they were on their way.” Mom did a head count. “I don’t think there’s enough room in the cart.”

“You can take the cart,” Rosie said. “I’ll still drive.”

Mei turned to her assistant. “Vanda, you go with Sonya, and I’ll ride with Rosie in her car.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They walked to the curbside, where the cart just arrived and parked. Once Mom was on her way, Rosie led Mei to her designated parking spot. She opened the passenger side for Mei.

“Nice and clean car.” Mei put on her seat belt.

“Thank you. When Mom had chemo, her immunity was down. She had respiratory issues to begin with. I cleaned our house and car thoroughly so that she didn’t get sick from allergies or anything.”

“Chemo?” Mei’s voice was grave.

Rosie nodded as she pulled out of the parking lot onto the small lane going toward the main SSLR building. “Didn’t Evan tell you? Mom’s a Stage 4 cancer survivor.”

“I’m sorry she had cancer, but I’m glad she survived it.”

“God worked a miracle.”

“Normally, I’d say that doctors work a miracle, but here I must agree with you that God had something to do with it.”

“Do you believe in God, Mrs. Cavanaugh?” Rosie asked.

“You can call me Mei.”

“Mei.”

“Yes, well, I don’t really believe there’s one true God, but my sons do.”

“I do too.”

“Connor told me you’re a nice Christian girl.”

Rosie felt sorry that Mei had to hear it from Evan’s brother and not directly from Evan himself. The relationship between him and his mother seemed quite broken.

“I’m just an ordinary Christian trying to live my life,” Rosie said. “If not for the grace and mercy of God, I wouldn’t be here. Really, I want a peaceful life where I can serve God and help people.”

“So why did you major in plant biology?” Mei asked.

“Evan told you?”

“No, I did some research—or at least, I paid for it.”

At least Mei was honest.

Rosie parked her car as close as possible to the entrance of the SSLR community center. She spotted Mei’s assistant waiting at the curb.

“Do you play mahjong also?” Mei asked.

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