Page 63 of Giddy-Up
“Is that okay?”she cautiously asked.
“Darlin’, you don’t need my permission.”That was true.But she’d been looking forward to spending the whole weekend with him without work interrupting their quality time.“Are you okaywith going up there?”
No.“It’s not my first choice on how I’d like to spend my Sunday.”She shrugged.“But maybe they’ll ease off with the phone calls if I spend some time with them.”
She very much doubted that would be the case, but a girl can dream.
***
Riley couldn’t believewhat she was hearing.When she’d arrived at her parent’s house thirty minutes ago, she was expecting maybe a lecture on their favorite topic; personal safety.Or perhaps she’d be quizzed on her car maintenance.There was even a chance that they’d give her a belated birds and the bees talk now that she was in a relationship.But this.She wasn’t prepared for this.
“Did you hear me?”Her mother’s voice echoed in her ears.
How could she be sick?Her mom was the healthiest person she knew.She ate well, walked ten thousand steps a day, rarely even got a cold.
“What do they think it is?”Riley asked, hugging her glass of juice tight.
“They’re still doing tests.”
“So, it could be nothing?”Her voice caught.
Her mother’s eyes went to her father’s and then back to Riley.A silent exchange.Of what, she had no idea.
“Let’s wait and see.”Was all she said.
Her mother was unusually calm.So was her dad.The only one freaking out was her.
“When’s your next appointment, I’ll come with you?”
“Well, that’s actually what we wanted to talk to you about.”Riley’s stomach flipped.“While I’m going back and forth to the hospital, we could use some help around the house.I won’t be able to do all the things I normally do.So, we were wondering if you could take some time off, maybe come back home for a bit until we know more about what’s happening?”
Take time off?Move back home?Just the idea made her want to run out of the room screaming.She finally had a life.Friends.A dream job.And a man she loved.The last thing she wanted to do was leave that all behind.She wasn’t ready to give it all up.
When she didn’t reply, her mother continued.“Maybe you can talk to that boyfriend of yours, work something out.It’ll just be for a few months.And we wouldn’t ask unless we had no other choice, you know that don’t you, Riley?”
No other choice.
Guilt made her stomach churn.Other than her dad’s brother, there was no other family nearby.She was all they had.
“I’ll speak to Wade,” she reiterated what her mother said.“The restaurant is meant to be opening in the new year, after Christmas, this month I’m supposed to be training the staff.”
It was already December.A month away from opening.She didn’t think her parents realized what a big deal this job was and how much responsibility she’d been entrusted with.She couldn’t just pick up and leave.People were counting on her.
“Like I said, dear, we wouldn’t ask unless we had to.”Her mom rubbed at her eyes, there was also a loud sniff and a stern head shake.Riley watched on not knowing what to make of it.She wouldn’t necessarily say the woman was cold, but she definitely wasn’t into showing much emotion.Stoic.That was a good word.She was stoic.“This is hard for me and your father, Riley.We’ve never once asked you for anything.We’ve never asked you to contribute to the household financially or otherwise.But now we need you.And selfishly, I want to spend as much time as I can with you...in case...in case the worst happens.”
Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe.In case the worst happens.It felt like her mother had just plunged a knife into her heart.And then twisted it for good measure.
I need to talk to Wade.
