Page 105 of Fake Love

“Are you okay? Are you sick?”

I can imagine her shaking her head at me and maybe even giving me an eye roll.

“I’m fine, Maddox. I just have a little congestion, that's it.”

“Congestion? Isn’t that something you need to go to the doctor for?” I spit out rapidly.

I know it could be nothing, but given her history, I would worry even if she sneezes.

“No, its not.” she says definitely rolling her eyes at me. “It's probably a little head cold or my allergies acting up. It's nothing you need to worry about.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen.

I look over at Jen and she still has that look on her face like she’s concerned.

Without a doubt she thinks my mom is lying too.

“Maybe I should call your doctor and make you an appointment just in case.” I tell my mom.

She may be right and it's just a head cold, but I’m not going to take any chances.

“I’m a grown ass woman, Maddox. I’m capable enough to make my own appointments, thank you very much.

“I still think you should see a doctor.”

“Boy, I swear to god, I’m fine.”

“Then why did you call Jen?”

Jen gives me a shrug like she doesn’t know the answer to the question either.

“Maybe because I wanted to talk to her? My son is living with his first serious girlfriend, maybe I wanted to talk to her and see how she was handling your needy ass.”

I let out a groan. The woman is always taking jabs at me, so I guess if she is doing it now she must be feeling okay and I shouldn’t worry.

“Thanks, Ma. I greatly appreciate that.” I say to her in a sarcastic tone

“Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m fine and you can tell Jen that too. Play hard today, I will be cheering you on from the comfort of my couch.”

“I’ll strike out a few batters for you.” I say the words that I always said to her while I was growing up.

“You better,” she says before she pauses for a second to cough before she comes back. “Okay, well I love you and tell Jen to call me if she can’t deal with you. I know I couldn’t sometimes.”

Jesus, it’s one jab after another.

But I ignore it. “I love you too. Call me for anything.”

“I will.”

When the call ends, I can’t help but look down at the phone before handing it to Jen.

I make a vow that no matter the outcome of today's game, I will make a short trip to Chicago to check in on my Ma.

Something about that conversation isn’t sitting well with me.

“She coughed a few times before you came in, and it definitely didn’t sound like just a cold.” Jen tells me, placing a hand on my forearm,

I give her a nod. “Yeah I heard it too. She also was speaking a lot slower than usual. Said it was a small head cold or her allergies.”

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