“When I heard she was dead, I wasn’t sad. I didn’t feel much ofanything.”
“Why should we be sad? Sure, she gave birth to us, but she wasnota mother to us in any way that counts. They barely kept a roof over our heads. Our friends’ parents raised us, Scott. If they hadn’t, we’d likely be just like them.”
“I know it.” He takes a bite of his salad. “I’ll do the right thing and bury her, but I haven’t heard from her since I was fourteen. That’s longer than you were gone.”
I cringe, and he shakes his head.
“I didn’t say that to make you feel guilty. It’s just the truth. Like, did she even remember that shehadkids?”
“She didn’t care. We were there to fetch them things and to make sure they didn’t OD.”
“You did most of that,” he admits.
“Honestly, I’m surprised they’re still alive. Well, you know what I mean. I figured they’d have passed a long time ago from the drugs and hard life they lived. Iknewthey were bad people from the time I was small. But when they walked away from this town, from you and me, and never looked back, I wrote them off.”
“I know. No wonder we have abandonment issues.”
“You’re not wrong. I didn’t help that.”
“No, you didn’t. But it also wasn’t the same. You wanted to come back for me and couldn’t. Mom and Dad didn’t give a rat’s ass.”
“You won’t take care of her alone, Scott. We’ll figure out the burial together. I’ll speak with June and let you know what I find out.”
“I appreciate it. And for the record, I didn’t ask you here today because of Mom. Yeah, I needed to tell you, but I wanted to see you so I could apologize.”
“I’m glad you did.” I smile over at him. “So, you’re not datinganyone?”
He rolls his eyes and digs back into his salad. “You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
“Ireallywant to be an aunt.”
“I needto bury someone in your cemetery,” I inform June later that night when she and Luna walk into the inn where I’ve just finished painting.
“I’ve got a shovel,” Luna offers. “And an alibi. Who did you kill?”
“See, you’re a good friend,” I reply, pointing at her. “That’sexactlythe response you should have in moments like this.”
“But really, who did you kill?” June asks with a frown.
“Ididn’t kill anyone. My mom died.”
They both gasp, and I jump, looking around the room. “What? Is there a spider? I saw a big one earlier. You’re going to have to spray this place, Luna.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Luna says as she and June hurry to me and wrap me up in a big group hug.
“I’m fine,” I assure them. “Really fine.”
“How did you find out?” June asks.
“I had lunch with Scott today, and it went surprisingly well. He apologized for being an asshat.”
“Good, he needed to,” Luna says.
“He just found out about Mom yesterday. They found her in her car a few weeks ago.”
I relay all the information I have, which isn’t much.
“Like I told my brother, I thought they both would have passed away a long time ago.” I turn to June. “Scott said he thought we’d bury her with her parents, but they’re in the cemetery behind your new house.”