Page 129 of A Moment for Us
Delia crosses her arms against her chest. “It’s a good thing that I have my own mind and can decide for myself.”
I wait for my new best friends to say something to sway her.
Instead, it’s mutiny.
Mrs. Garner pats her arm. “Don’t be upset, honey. We all just love you. If you think you’re okay to do this, then you should.”
Delia nods once. “Thank you.”
“I still think it’s a bad idea.”
She huffs. “You also don’t want me to walk to the bathroom or go outside because of tripping hazards.”
“Because I don’t want to see you get hurt,” I defend myself.
“I appreciate that, babe, but I can’t be in a bubble.”
I’d really fucking prefer that.
We let it drop as the two ladies continue to chatter on, offering the newest pieces of gossip.
Apparently, Bill and Fred have decided on a name for the baby, William Frederick . . . how original. And then Mrs. Garner tells me that she saw my mother.
“Have you talked to her much?”
Delia looks to me expectantly.
“I haven’t.”
“Why not? She’s trying.”
“I didn’t realize you knew her well.”
“We don’t, she was always a bit too uppity for me, but I’ve seen her spending time working at the youth center. It’s nice to see her making an effort, unlike your father who is still causing the gossips, not us, though, to talk.”
I cringe internally. My father is a piece of shit. “Not really my concern anymore.”
Mrs. Garner taps my arm. “Of course not. You’re nothing like him. You’re a good man who loves the woman he’s with. You’d never let any harm come to her, let alone be the one who inflicts it.”
“Right.” Just don’t ask the woman I let die or the woman in front of me who is in pain.
Mrs. Villafane picks up next. “It’s not like Josh would ever be so careless. He’s always there for the people he loves.”
I clear my throat, uncomfortable with this. “I fail too.”
“We all fail, but you’ve always been the hero.”
“I’m not.”
A part of me wants to wail at these women, show them that I’m not great. I wasn’t there when she lost the baby. I wasn’t there when she needed me most. I let her down, and one day, she’ll see that.
Mrs. Garner nods. “Well, no one has ever died because of you not being there.”
If they only knew.
* * *
The walls are closing in.
