Page 101 of Edge of Heaven

“I’m sorry too.” Now I’m crying and the two of us sit there and sob for a while.

Finally, Mom gets up and grabs some tissues and we blow our noses.

Neither of us say anything for a while but then we start to talk.

About everything.

Going back to when I left college.

The struggles of trying to build a modeling career while flying back and forth to L.A. to spend time with my son.

How dating Callum had been nothing but a distraction at first and my eventual realization that he was a horrible person.

The resolution I made when he offered to pay for Toby’s new treatment, and the abuse I suffered because of it.

And finally, how through the worst of it, Mick was there. Patient, loving, understanding—ready and willing to do whatever it took for us to be together.

My stubborn refusal to let him help.

The details of what happened five days ago.

Then we cried some more.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “You should have told me what was happening. You should have made me listen.”

“I was ashamed,” I admit. “I became a prostitute, and I couldn’t bring myself to spell it out for you.”

“Don’t you ever say that!” she hisses. “Women have been relying on men to support them since the beginning of time. In this case, you did what you had to do for your child. No one will ever think less of you for that—certainly not me. And definitely not that boy waiting for you back in L.A.”

“Mick is still in L.A.?” I ask in confusion.

She gives me a strange look. “Well, I wasn’t going to leave Toby on his own without someone to look out for him. And they’re already best buds. Mick is great with him. You should see them together…”

“Mom!” I don’t know what to do with this crazy turn of events.

“If you’re up to it, we’ll fly home tomorrow. You and Mick need to talk.”

We do.

I didn’t realize how much.

“He paid the last two treatments, you know.”

“He what?” I stare at her. “How are you just telling me this now?”

“We’ve had a lot to discuss.”

“I borrowed the money from Ryleigh!”

“We know. She told him, but he asked her not to say anything until the two of you had a chance to talk.”

“Oh my god. I have to call him. I have to?—”

“No. Stop.” She gently takes my hand. “You’ll see him tomorrow. He knows we’re coming. It’ll be better to do it in person, okay?”

I know she’s right, but I can’t help myself.

We order dinner and then I slip into the bathroom and pull up WhatsApp.

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