of the river. “You can’t hide from your mother.”
“I hurt her, Ma.” I returned my eyes to hers, feeling all her compassion, understanding, and love envelope me from that one look, despite the fact she probably disapproved of my actions.
“You did. She has every right to be upset with you. It takes ages to learn to trust someone, but only one lie to ruin it.”
Tears formed in my eyes and I struggled to reel in my emotions. “I ruined it.”
“Maybe,” she said. “Maybe not. What did she say?”
“To let her go,” I replied, barely able to speak the words.
“And did you?”
I nodded. “She got in a cab and I couldn’t get to her in time.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Tell me. Did you let her go?”
I shook my head. “She’s a part of me, Ma. But she said the only way for me to prove I do love her and all of my feelings are real was to let her go.”
She nodded. “Then give her some time.”
I shot my head up, surprised she wasn’t urging me to go after her. “Really?”
“Trust me, baby. If she wants you to let her go, all she probably wants is some time to herself and to be with her friends. She wants to cry on their shoulders and commiserate about what an asshole you are. Let her have this time. If you want any shot at winning her back, you’ll give her exactly what she wants. Right now, that’s a life without any reminders of what she considers to be her biggest mistake… You.”
I opened my mouth, wanting to argue that letting her go wasn’t an option, but she held up her hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out.”
“I don’t know if I can stay away,” I admitted. “I’ve seen her every day for the past six months. I–”
“Tyler, sometimes, we need to give those we love space to work out their feelings, and I’m not talking about months or even weeks. Right now, she’s upset and confused. Her world’s been torn apart. She needs to put the pieces back together, but she can’t do that with you in her life. Not yet, anyway. Give her space to find her life. Eventually, she’ll find her love. She’ll find the truth amidst the lies. But you need to give her time.”
I gazed ahead as runners jogged along the promenade path, considering my mother’s words. Sighing, I turned to her. “How do you always seem to have all the answers?”
“Because I’m old, baby.” She smiled at me, the wrinkles around her eyes showing. “Do you know how many mistakes I’ve made in my life?”
“No.”
“Well, I’ve made enough that I can speak to you from experience. Trust me. The best thing you can do is give her time. Then you can go to her and beg forgiveness with the most ridiculously expensive jewelry money can buy.” She nudged me and I laughed at her attempt to bring me out of my sour mood. “She’ll come around.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’m your mother.” She winked, a sparkle in her eyes. “I’m always right.” Her jovial expression turned serious once more as she grabbed my hands in hers. “Go back to your routine, Tyler. It’s gotten you through tough spots in the past. Do it again. It will give you the clarity you need right now.”
A loud throat clearing sounded and we snapped our heads up to see Alexander standing off to the side. I could see guilt hidden beneath his tough exterior. Even though he should have been upset at the failed mission, it was readily apparent he wasn’t there as the head of the security company, about to berate me regarding what happened. He was there as my brother.
“Well,” my mother said, placing her hand on my leg. “I think you boys need to have a bit of a chat. I love you, Tyler, baby.” She planted a soft kiss on my temple and, for an instant, I wanted to think everything would be okay, that it would all work out.
A group of cyclists flew by as she got up from the bench and strode to Alexander. He bent his almost six-and-a-half foot frame down to allow my mother to place a kiss on his cheek and she whispered something in his ear. I couldn’t hear what, but I knew she had to be giving him a piece of her mind.
She retreated from us and Alexander approached me with a shrunken stature, exhaling as