“Happy Thanksgiving, Victory,” she replied softly, her heartfelt tone completely genuine. My mother loved me. She just loved me so much she smothered me and tried to protect me from the one thing she couldn’t. “How’s your day?”
“Great.” I glanced up at Jett who nodded at me and left me in the foyer to give me privacy. “I’m having a great time with my friends. I needed it this year.”
“I get that.” The softness in her voice carried over as if trying to appease me. “I understand we don’t see eye to eye on your care, honey.”
“It’s okay, Mom. It’s the holiday. We don’t have to discuss it now.”
“I don’t know when to discuss it though,” she confessed, her voice breaking a little.
The guilt trapped me, weighted me down in a way I couldn’t escape. I closed my eyes and leaned into the wall, hoping it would provide even the least bit of support. “Maybe you can come visit me this weekend.”
“Okay!” She spat out so fast, I instantly regretted it. “I’ll bring your father. We’ll make a day of it. The nutritionist said he’s had a hard time getting ahold of you.”
I opened my mouth to give an excuse.
She rushed on though. “No worries. I told him you got a new job, sweetie. It’s hard to keep up with everything. I made a list of the changes he felt might help. And your doctor’s appointment is tomorrow, right?”
I winced because I’d lied about setting up that appointment. I needed to find a new doctor in the area and make one. The idea of revisiting my whole medical history made me nauseous. “Yeah. Um, it was a day I had off. So, I figured I would get it out of the way.”
“That’s so wonderful. Have you called the doctor’s office to send over your medical history or is that something I can help you with?”
My mother was a businesswoman on a mission. She knew just the right question to ask. “I have it handled, Mom.”
“Just making sure.” She laughed lightly. “I’m so excited to see you on Saturday. Text me your address, and we’ll be there by lunch, okay?”
“Sure, Mom.”
“I love you so much, Victory. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Make sure you follow your dietary guidelines tonight. I know it’s hard on the holidays but—”
“I’m fine, Mom.” I kept a firm hold on my voice to stop the aggravation from bleeding through.
“Oh, your dad wants to talk with you, of course.”
I peered around the corner, and all the Stonewoods seemed to be carrying on just fine.
“How you doing, Ms. MIA?”
“Oh, you know, still here.”
“Damn right you are. Thanksgiving isn’t the same without you here,” he grumbled, and I knew he was walking away from my mother.
“I know, Dad.”
“I miss you. She misses you. She might not say it outright, but she’s just coping in her own way.” He always felt the need to explain her to me, as if I didn’t understand.
“There’s no need to cope with anything. I’m fine here. I’m really, really enjoying the city and my job.”
“I know, Vick. I know. She doesn’t have her job or you to manage anymore though. She’s an empty nester on steroids,” he chuckled.
My gut clenched a little at hearing the deep rumble that was so friendly, so soothing, so much a reminder of what home and the holidays were with him. “I’ll be home for Christmas. We’ll decorate the tree together. I’ll come home for it, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t come for my benefit. I can handle her. I just think you need to face each other soon. Something’s gotta give.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“She’s getting antsy. So, if you mean for her to visit this weekend, mean it. But just know, she’s antsy.”
‘Antsy’ was code for my mother losing her sanity.