“What?” Pete and Titus said in unison. Pete glared at Bertie.
“I’m not…Lea is not my girlfriend,” Pete stuttered.
His mother blinked. “Lea? I’m talking about Keighly. She’s such a nice girl. Maybe a little headstrong, but Bertie said she’s going places. Peter, listen to me”—she leaned closer—“don’t let a girl like that go, do you hear me? The mark of a good man is the woman by his side. Do me a favor and choose wisely.”
Pete arched his back as sweat trickled down it. He cleared his throat. “Uh, sure, Mom.”
She reclined against her pillows. “You too, Bertie. Please don’t bring home some loser. Your father may be inclined to shoot him.”
Pete grinned while Bertie colored. “Mom! I’m not even thinking about that right now.”
“No, no, I guess you have some time. Well, I’m not dead yet, but I’m sleepy.”
“Milking this stay, aren’t you? It’s going to cost us a fortune,” Titus muttered.
Judith sent him a sharp look. “Take it out of my life insurance.”
Pete and Bertie exchanged another startled look. Never had they heard their mother speak so defiantly to their father—who cowered in his chair. Soon they smiled. Even though she had only weeks to live, their mother was going to rule the roost while she could.
* * *
A tear dropped onto Bertie’s phone as she stared at Keke’s number. She wanted desperately to call her friend, but her audition was today and it wouldn’t be fair to distract her.
Pete entered the hospital room. “I’ve called the funeral home.”
Bertie nodded. “The church is free on Tuesday, which is perfect since you have to be in California on Wednesday.”
“Bertie, I don’t have to go,” Pete insisted. “I can reschedule. Tell them what happened.” He sat on the edge of Mom’s bed and placed a hand on top of the sheets. She’d been moved to the morgue an hour ago.
“No. Mom wouldn’t want you to put this off any longer. You’re going to California. I have a bunch of interviews that’ll be pushed to later in the week, but everything is going to go ahead as normal.”
She slipped her phone into her back pocket. “I’ve already told Kat not to mention anything to Keke. I know she’ll want to come home for the funeral, but she’s got her audition today.”
“That’s good.”
His voice sounded thick, and Bertie knew he was still thinking about Keke. “Where’s Dad?”
“In the chapel. Didn’t think he believed in anything.”
“He probably does now.”
Pete came beside her on the other side of the bed and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He kissed her head. “I believe in you, Bertie.”
She sighed and hugged him back. “I believe in you too, Peter. Same team…always.”
