for the break room. Renee poured her mother a cup of coffee and got herself some water. There had already been too much caffeine in her morning. After sitting at one of the small tables, Renee braced herself for whatever her mother had to tell her.
“So, you came a long way just to talk,” she said brightly.
“I know.” Verity worried her lower lip. “I needed to see you, and speaking over the phone just isn’t the same. I thought I’d stay a few days, if that’s all right.”
So not a quick visit, Renee thought, hoping her disappointment didn’t show. She wanted to suggest they both head back to San Diego, only there was no way she could simply take off, and making the suggestion would hurt her mother’s feelings.
“That sounds great,” she lied. “You’ll love my apartment. It’s small, but I can sleep on the sofa.”
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to get in the way. I’ve already booked a room at the Sweet Dreams Inn.” She smiled. “I have the Harry Potter room. I think it’s going to be very fun.” Her smile faded. “A hotel is better, sweetie. I don’t want to be a bother.”
And there it was—the sense of being a terrible daughter and horrible human being. “Mom, you’re not a bother. I want to spend time with you. Stay with me.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be at the hotel.” Verity looked at her and then away. She shifted in her seat.
Renee suddenly remembered there was a reason for the visit and from the looks of things, it wasn’t happy. She went cold all over. What if her mother was sick? What if it was something bad?
“Mom, tell me.”
Verity smiled. “It’s actually good news. Very exciting. I’ve been in talks for a while now and I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure...”
She picked up her coffee, then put it down. “It’s not that I haven’t loved being a hairdresser. You know my clients mean the world to me. But I’m not twenty-five anymore and the long days on my feet are getting to me so when I had this opportunity—”
“You’re not sick?”
“What? Of course not. Oh, darling, is that what you thought?” Her mother grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’m perfectly fine. And I’m getting a show on Animal Planet.”
The world spun twice to the right, once to the left, then settled back in place. Renee told herself to keep breathing, that if she didn’t she would pass out, possibly hit her head and then who knew what might happen.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked, her voice faint.
“I’m getting a show on Animal Planet.”
What? “Talking to animals?”
“You know that’s not what happens.”
“Yes, I do, but you know what I mean. Is that what you’re going to be doing? Listening to animals then blurting out their every thought?”
She tried to sound curious rather than horrified. A show? Animal Planet was a big deal. If Verity had a show then her ability wouldn’t be a secret anymore. It would be out there for all to see.
“It won’t be like a talk show or anything,” Verity told her. “I’ll be visiting families to help them with their pets. I’m also going to do some shelter work. If I can let prospective pet parents know what they’re dealing with, the adoptions will go more smoothly.”
Which totally made sense, for those who believed in the whole I-can-talk-to-animals thing.
“I’m very excited,” Verity continued. “This is a wonderful opportunity.”
“It is. You’re going to be a big success, Mom. I just know it.”
Because why not?
On the one hand, she was thrilled for her mother. Verity had always worked hard to provide for her only child. She deserved something wonderful in her life. On the other hand, why?
“You can see why I wanted to tell you in person,” her mother said. “Plus spend a little time with you. Once we start filming, I’m going to be so busy, we might not see each other for a while.”
“You were right to come here,” Renee told her, confident that at some point, she would even mean what she said.
Everyone was going to know. There was no hiding the truth now. It would come out and when it did, well, things would go badly because they always did. But Verity was her mother and she loved her and if only her stomach would stop writhing and she could have a moment to think...
“Renee? Who are you—” Pallas walked into the break room. “Oh, hi. Sorry. I