“What about Dad?He hates the rain.I thought cloudy days made his mood worse?”
She tipped her head.“He’ll adapt.”
“But there are other facilities.If you want to be near family, I’m sure we can find a place near me in Vegas where the sun shines almost every day.We get more sunshine there than you all do here I’d bet.”
“It’s not the same, Noah.”
“No, it’d be better.Dad would be calmer.Happier.Wha-Why?Why would you move all the way to Washington?”
“You don’t know how lonely, how sad I’ve been this past year.”
“I really don’t think Seattle and their dark, cloudy days are going to make it any better.”
“I want to be near family, okay?I want to watch my grandsons grow up.I want to not be alone anymore.”
“I thought I was family.”It felt like the walls were narrowing in on me.My breathing came faster, and I didn’t know how to process what she was saying.They were moving?To Washington?That was so far away.And Dad would be miserable.
“You are, honey.But you’re not the most stable.”
“Wha…” It felt like a shot to the chest as I absorbed her words.
“Between your sobriety and your job…” She shook her head.“It’s not like you’d be around very often.”
“We have a three-year residency in Las Vegas.It’ll probably get extended since everyone is putting down roots and starting families.I’ve been sober for over a year—with both drugsandalcohol.I’m the most stable I’ve ever been.”
But Mom shook her head firmly.“It’s already been decided.Your father’s bed at the facility has been confirmed.The house goes on the market next week, and we’re moving to Washington once all the paperwork with the realtor has been signed.I don’t want to have to deal with your father and open houses.It’d be too messy.”
“Messy.Right.”
“I hope you can still contribute the same amount to your father’s care once we move to Washington.That, combined with the sale of the house should cover us for as long as he has.”
So she didn’t want me.She just wanted access to my money.
I don’t know why I was surprised.
But I was.
It felt like a thousand knives were cutting me over and over again.
I couldn’t breathe.
All I could do was nod tightly.
“Good.”Mom sat back in her chair with a relieved sigh.“How did your visit with your father go?”
“Good,” I repeated weakly.
“Good.”My mom smiled at Alice.“So how did the two of you meet?”
I dimly heard Alice fill my mom in on our history.But all I could do was focus on breathing.It wasn’t an automatic function anymore—I struggled for every breath.In.And out.In.
I stood up abruptly in the middle of their conversation.“We need to go.”
“Oh, really?”My mom stood as well and frowned.“I was hoping we’d have a chance to catch up.It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”
Alice grabbed my hand.“I’m sorry,” she said as she smiled at my mom.“I have an appointment that couldn’t be changed.But we’ll be back tomorrow, right, Noah?”
“Tomorrow.”I nodded tightly.“And you’ll tell me if I need to send the money to a different account with your move?”
