I couldn't blame him for being who he was, just as I couldn't blame him for deciding that he couldn't live with what I was.
With a sigh, I went to my mom and hugged her.
"Having you here .
it's what I needed, Mama.
Crying and laughing and just sitting with you.
Nothing could be more perfect than that.
Thank you."
"Really?" She hugged me tightly, feeling so small and delicate in my arms, even though we were the same size and her heels made her taller.
"I thought you were going crazy."
I pulled back and smiled.
"I think I did for a little bit, but you brought me back.
And Stanton is a good man.
I'm grateful for all he's done for us.
Please tell him I said so."
Linking my arm with hers, I grabbed her clutch from my bed and led her to the front door.
She hugged me again, her hands stroking up and down my back.
"Call me tonight and tomorrow.
I want to make sure you're doing okay."
"All right."
She studied me.
"And let's plan on a spa day next week.
If the doctor doesn't approve of Cary going, we'll have the technicians come here.
I think we could all use a little pampering and polish right now."
"That's a really nice way of saying I look like shit."
We were both rough around the edges, although she hid it much better than I did.
Nathan was still hanging over us like a dark cloud, still capable of ruining lives and destroying our peace.
But we'd pretend that we were better off than we were.
That was just the way we did things.
"But you're right - it'll be good for us and it'll make Cary feel a whole lot better, even if he can only get a mani and pedi."
"I'll make the arrangements.