Page 64 of The Love Comeback
“Hello?” Her warm tone fills my body with some relief.
“Hey, Mom,” I breathe out. “I hope I’m not bothering you.”
“Oh, of course not, Ella.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “How are you? You sound awfully tired. Late night at practice?”
“No, Colton had his second game tonight, and apparently—”
“Oh, was Katie there?” Mom cuts me off, confusion filling her voice. “And what kind of game? Why was I not invited?”
My heart plummets. “What’s the date today?”
“Oh, I’m not sure…” Mom’s voice trails off. “I think it’s about time for your semester to end, right? It’s getting close to finals.”
“I see…” I swallow the hurt. She has no idea of the present. She must be having a bad day. “Is Chandra there? I thought she was coming to clean today.” It’s the verbiage I use when Mom is having a bad day, and she believes Chandra is the cleaner I hired to help her out. I don’t how Chandra manages to do what she does—but I couldn’t do this without her.
“I don’t know why you think I need help cleaning. I’m not decrepit. I’m only fifty-one.”
No, you’re not, Mom.
“I know, but I just thought the help would be nice,” I say carefully, just as I hear the other line pick up. Chandra must’ve figured out that Mom was on the phone. “Oh, is that Chandra on the other line?”
“Yes,” Chandra comes on, her voice warm and sweet. “I just so happened to hear your mom on the line and thought I’d see if I could check in on you, Ella. You know how nosy I can be.”
I hold back the tears, already knowing that Chandra is saying what she’s saying because Mom isn’t all the way there right now. “Oh, it’s always nice to catch up with you. I don’t get to do that very often.” We both have figured out that if we try to correct Mom on what time her mind is in, she gets combative—and that never ends well for anyone.
“Why don’t you let us catch up for a little bit?” Chandra’s voice has that consistently motherly, gentle tone, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as Mom agrees.
“Oh, I bet the two of you would enjoy that since Ella has been away for college. It’s so hard having you gone, Ella. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, Mom,” I say, just as I hear the line click.
“She’s not having a good day,” Chandra then says, her voice losing its brightness. “In fact, it’s been one of her worst days yet.” I can suddenly hear the exhaustion in her voice, and I feel a pang of guilt.
“I’m sorry for not being there.” I sniffle, my emotions overwhelming me all over again. “I feel like I should be there more often. It’s just with hockey and robotics and—”
“You’re doing plenty enough already,” Chandra says, her voice firm. “Please don’t beat yourself up. Your mom usually has more good days than bad. She’s had a great week other than just today. I’m sure she’ll be better tomorrow. You just have to give her time.”
“I know,” I choke out, running a hand over my face. I feel selfish, but for once, Ireallyneed my mom to be in the right mind. She’s the only person I have that understands my situation and what I’m going through with Colton. Not to mention, she knows Kade better than anyone else I know.
“Are you okay?” Chandra’s tone comes out concerned. “You don’t sound great, Ella. Do you need to talk about something?”
“No,” I say quietly. “I’m just tired. I’ll let you go, though. I need to get Colton in bed soon.” I hang up with her after we say our goodbyes, and then I toss my phone to my bed, burying my head in my hands. I’veneverneeded to talk to someone so badly, to unload everything I’m going through.
But who would possibly listen to me?
I swallow hard, my eyes drifting back to my phone.
Thereisone person who would listen to me…
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kade
The hotel room door clicks shut behind me, and I drop my bag in front of the king-sized bed with a heavy thud. Tomorrow’s away game against Boston looms over me, but right now, all I can think about is a hot shower and at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep.
I roll my shoulders, trying to work out the kinks that come from being nearly six-foot-four and crammed intoan airplane seat, even if it is a charter.
“I’m getting old,” I mutter as I unzip my team jacket.
