Page 37 of Single Dad's Fake Bride
She squeezed my hand, and for a moment, I saw a flash of the woman who used to braid my hair and read me bedtime stories.
"Okay, baby. I'll try."
My phone vibratedas I was walking through the school parking lot.
The caller ID showed Mia's name, and guilt immediately flooded my system.
My best friend had been texting for two days, worried about my radio absence from our usual group chat.
I answered on the third ring.
"Hey, sorry I've been MIA."
"Sadie! Finally. I was starting to think you'd been abducted."
Mia's voice carried genuine concern.
"You missed book club last night, and you never miss book club. What's going on?"
I paused beside my car, watching other teachers arrive for the day.
How could I explain that my mother was in detox without admitting I'd been lying about our living situation for months?
"Family stuff," I said vaguely.
"Everything's fine, I just had to handle some things."
"Family stuff with your mysterious mother I've never met?" Mia's tone sharpened.
She had always been too perceptive for my comfort.
"Sadie, in three years of friendship, you've never once mentioned her visiting or you visiting her. Where does this woman actually live?"
Heat crept up my neck and I rubbed it away. "It's complicated."
"Complicated how? Is she sick? In trouble? Talk to me."
The kindness in her voice nearly broke my resolve.
I wanted to tell her everything—about finding Mom unconscious, about the hospital, about the bills piling up and the electricity notice and the way I hadn't slept properly in months.
But admitting the truth meant admitting I'd been lying by omission for years, and all I wanted was to feel normal for once in my adult life.
"She's been struggling with some health issues," I said. "I'm helping her through a rough patch."
"Oh, honey." Mia's voice softened immediately. "Why didn't you say so? Do you need anything? I can bring dinner, or help with errands, or?—"
"No," I said quickly. "Thank you, but we're managing. I just need to get through this week."
There was a pause, and I could practically hear Mia's brain working.
She knew I wasn't telling her everything, but she was too good a friend to push.
"Okay," she said finally. "But I'm here if you change your mind. And Sadie? Whatever's happening, you don't have to handle it alone."
If she only knew how alone I actually was.
I pocketed my phone and headed inside.
