Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
SERENA
“ I don’t know, Dom. This is too much…we can’t afford this.” Dom, my mom and I sit around the kitchen table staring at a brochure for an independent living facility called Whispering Grove. It features individual apartments, a community center, tennis courts, walking trails, a dining hall, indoor pool, and a state-of-the-art memory care center.
I glance over at Mom who is staring at the brochure, a pensive look on her face while she bites her bottom lip nervously. I’m worried she thinks we are trying to get rid of her so we can get married and live happily ever after. My stomach pitches at the thought. “Mom, we don’t need to do this. I’m sure you can stay with us. We’ll figure it out.” I look to Dom, seeking reassurance, but his eyes are locked on my mother while she studies the information in front of her.
“Dom, we can’t afford this. We are barely getting by with free help from Mrs. G,” I say again, reaching to pull the brochure away from Mom, not interested in entertaining this dream that will never become a reality. I’m not even sure if it’s a dream I want. The idea of being separated from my mom after it’s been just the two of us for so long makes me queasy.
“We can if we sell the house.” Mom’s voice is barely a whisper, but it makes my blood run cold. My hand stops its movement, my body frozen as my mind tries to process what she just said. Mom lays her hand on top of mine and squeezes, drawing my attention to her face.
“We sell the house; you can move in with Dom, and I can live at Whispering Grove. You won’t have to worry about supporting us both or working two jobs, you can focus on school. You can have the life you’re supposed to be living.” The air in my lung catches, and I can’t believe she could seriously be suggesting this.
“No. No! That is not an option. You and Dad bought this house when you got married! I was born here. Raised here. Dad lived here! I can’t believe you would even suggest that. What if moving makes your memory loss worse? What if you forget more? What if you forget Dad?” I choke on the last words when a sob catches in my throat.
My mother pulls me into a hug and cradles my head against her chest. “Sweet Pea, nothing could ever make me forget your father. A once in a lifetime love like that never goes away. I don’t want to see you struggle anymore, Rennie. You’ve carried this weight for far too long, and what did it get you? Attacked? Almost raped? I won’t have my daughter, my life blood, putting herself in that position again. Not for me. Let me take care of you for a change. And who knows, maybe the memory care rehab will help me? We can give it a try.”
The woman who gave me life pulls back and cups my face, forcing me to look her in the eye. She’s a blurry silhouette, the tears pooling in my eyes obscuring her face. “You’ve been strong for so long, precious darling. It’s okay to let someone else take the reins now. I believe Dom will take care of you the way you deserve, and I want you to be happy.”
“She’s right, Kitten. I will take care of you. You can’t count on the help of your elderly neighbor forever, and I want you with me in my house, where you won’t have to worry about anything ever again. Let’s go tour the facility and see what it’s like. We don’t have to decide right now, but I think once you see it in person, you’ll realize it’s exactly what your mom needs.”
I look over at Dom, and his eyes are the color of steel—cold and unyielding. Even though his words are reassuring, my heart still feels like it is being squeezed in a vise. This doesn’t feel right. Selling the house doesn’t feel right. Losing the last tie to my father does not feel right. When I look back at Mom, she is staring at Dom like he hung the moon. I know there is no winning this argument now while I’m emotional, so I accept his suggestion to hopefully buy more time to talk Mom out of this crazy idea.
“Fine, we can go look. But if it isn’t perfect then we aren’t selling the house.”
Mom gives me a sad smile as she nods her understanding. “Of course, Sweet Pea.”
With the moving discussion tabled for now, Mom excuses herself and goes to her room to write in her journal about our overwhelming morning. Alone with Dom, the full weight of everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours hits me. The assault. Seeing Todd die. Kai’s confession. Dominick’s proposal. His suggestion to move Mom into a care facility. Mom’s suggestion to sell the house. My breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and a buzzing starts in my ears as the beginning of a panic attack claws its way into my chest.
“Serena! Look at me!” A rough shake of my shoulders snaps my head back, pulling me out of my panic. Dom is kneeling in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders tight enough to bruise, a somber look on his face.
“You’re hurting me.” My voice comes out small and weak. Dom winces at my words and releases his hold on me.
“Sorry, Kitten. You weren’t responding to me. You were having a panic attack.” Dom offers up a bashful smile as he brushes a tear from my cheek. “Aren’t you happy? I know it’s a lot, but these are good changes.” His voice is tentative, like he’s unsure of where we stand now.
“No—yes. Yes, I’m happy. It’s just…a lot. I think everything from last night has caught up to me.” I stammer out, hoping it will ease the hurt I see in his eyes. “I am excited, Dom. I love you. The idea of selling the house—where I still feel most connected with my dad—just broke me. It was too much.” Dom jerks a tight nod before he pulls me into him in a tight embrace.
“It’s okay, Kitten. I forgive your reaction. I know you love me, and I won’t let you regret this decision. I will make you so happy.”
I close my eyes and let myself melt into his hold. I know Dom loves me. I know he will take care of me. Intellectually, I know he will be good to us. So why does it feel like I’m having my whole world ripped away from me?