Capri launched into a recitation of her current medical condition, taking special note that the doctors were encouraged. “I seem to be healing up nicely.”
“Oh, good to hear, sweetheart.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Honey?”
“Yeah, Mom?”
“I need to cut this short. Earl and I were just about to make a trip to Costco. We go every Tuesday for senior day. Hot dogs for half off.” Her mother giggled. “It’s our weekly date.”
Capri stared at her phone for a long moment, the conversation—or lack of one—still echoing in her ears. A polite but distant “Gotta go now.” Just a casual dismissal, like they spoke every day instead of weeks slipping by without a word.
“Yeah, okay, Mom.” She clicked off the phone without saying goodbye, then set it down on the coffee table. The living room was quiet, save for the steady tick of the clock over the fireplace. A knot formed in her stomach, coiling tighter the more she thought about it.
Her mom had moved on so seamlessly. New husband, new life, a whirlwind of change that left Capri standing on the outside, looking in. Hadn’t she given up enough? Held everything together for years while her mother struggled with Dick’s addiction? Capri had made sure she was okay, put her own life on hold time and time again. She’d made sure her mom had no financial worries. Even when Dick was sober and going through his cancer treatments, her mother buried her head in the sand, not wanting to face unpleasant things—leaving Capri to deal with the struggle by herself. And now that she’d married again, she barely warranted a five-minute phone call?
She swallowed the lump rising in her throat. She would not—would not—fall apart over this. Never had, never would.
But damn, it hurt.
She grabbed a nearby novel and began skimming the words, flipping the pages with fury. Motion kept emotions in check. At least, that’s what she told herself.
But as she tried to read the blurred page, a tear slipped down her cheek anyway.
A sound at the door pulled Capri from her spiraling thoughts. Maybe it was Bodhi. He’d visited nearly every day—and sometimes twice a day while she was in the hospital and rehab.
She sniffed, wiped the back of her hand across her cheek, and took a steadying breath watching as the door eased open.
“Hey,” Jake said, his voice as steady as ever, that quiet, grounding presence she’d come to rely on—though she hated admitting it.
She crossed her arms, pleased. “What are you doing back here already?”
“Brought you some lunch from the Rustic Pine.” He held up a bag. “Pete and Annie said to tell you hello.”
He moved in her direction, his sharp eyes taking her in like he saw more than she wanted him to. “Had a feeling you could use some company.”
Capri rolled her eyes, but it lacked any conviction. “So now you’re psychic?”
“Nah.” He shrugged. “Just good at reading people. And you, sweetheart, wear your hurt like a neon sign, whether you realize it or not.”
Her throat tightened, but she forced out a scoff. “I’m fine. Besides, you only left a few hours ago.”
Jake didn’t argue. He never did. He just sat down next to her, as if he belonged there, and opened the bag. He took out two wrapped hamburgers and a big container of fries. “Hungry?”
Capri let out a long breath and a mumbled “Thanks” before she took one of the hamburgers. She slowly unwrapped it. “I talked to my mom.”
Jake nodded, saying nothing, just giving her space to unravel.
“She brushed me off,” Capri admitted, her voice smaller than she liked. “Like I was just another person on her to-do list. We haven’t talked in weeks, and she barely even asked how I was doing.”
Jake’s expression softened, but he didn’t do the whole I’m sorry thing or try to fix it. Instead, he reached out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“She’s missing out,” he said simply. “She doesn’t even know what she’s got in you.”
Emotion deep within her gave way. “I know she loves me,” she murmured. “It’s just?—”
“Yeah.” Jake didn’t need her to explain. He got it.
Without thinking, she leaned into him, resting her forehead against his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her without hesitation, strong and solid, the kind of embrace that said I’m here without needing the words.
Jake’s arms around her felt safe—more so than anything had in a long time. Something inside Capri cracked wide open, the hurt, the loneliness, the years of holding everything together. It all rushed forward at once, surging into the empty spaces she hadn’t even realized were there.
