Page 34 of Save Me
"Of course I did." She reaches up to cup my face, her eyes scanning for injuries. "My baby was hurt."
I hear Amy's soft intake of breath behind me and remember that she's never met my mother. Hell, I've never introduced a woman to my mother.
"Mom," I say, turning carefully with Rosa still attached to my side. "I want you to meet Amy and her daughter Rosa. Amy, Rosa, this is my mom, Margaret."
The two women size each other up for a moment, and I hold my breath. My mother has strong opinions about everything.
Then my mother's face breaks into a warm smile. "Amy, it's wonderful to meet you. And Rosa, aren't you just precious?"
Rosa peeks out from behind my leg. "Hi, I made Gunner a get-well card."
"I'd love to see it," my mother says, crouching down to Rosa's level. "I bet it's beautiful."
The tension in Amy's shoulders visibly relaxes. "It's nice to meet you too, Margaret."
Mom smiles. "Now let's get this stubborn son of mine inside before he falls over."
Between the three of them, I'm ushered into my house and settled onto the couch with more care than I probably need. Mom disappears into the kitchen to heat up what appears to be enough food for a small army, while Amy helps me get comfortable with pillows and blankets.
"Your mom seems really nice," Amy says quietly.
"She likes you," I tell her. "I can tell."
"How can you tell?"
"She didn't interrogate you about your intentions with her son. Trust me, that's a good sign."
Rosa climbs up on the couch beside me, carefully avoiding my injured side. "Can we watch cartoons?"
"Whatever you want, sweetheart."
Amy settles on my other side, and for the first time since the accident, I feel like I can truly breathe. My mother bustles around the kitchen, the smell of her famous chicken and dumplings filling the house. Rosa giggles at something on the TV screen, and Amy's hand finds mine again.
After lunch, Mom starts gathering her things. "I'll come check on you tomorrow," she announces, kissing my forehead like I'm still twelve years old.
"You don't have to, Mom."
"I want to." She turns to Amy. "You make sure he doesn't try to do too much too soon. He's stubborn as a mule, just like his father."
"I'll watch him," Amy promises.
"Good. And Amy?" Mom pauses at the door. "You and Rosa are welcome here anytime. I hope you know that."
After she leaves, the house settles into a comfortable quiet. Rosa has curled up against my good side, fighting to keep her eyes open as the afternoon cartoons play. Amy strokes my hand with her thumb, a small gesture that sends warmth through my entire body.
"This is perfect," I murmur.
"What is?"
"This. You, Rosa, being here with me." I turn my head to look at her. "This is exactly how I want the rest of my life to be."
Amy's eyes fill with tears, but she's smiling. "Even with a seven-year-old who insists on watching the same cartoon three times in a row?"
"Especially with a seven-year-old who insists on watching the same cartoon three times in a row."
She leans over and kisses me softly, careful not to jostle Rosa. "I love you, Gunner."
"I love you too, Amy. Both of you."
