Chapter 24 #2
You were trying to do the right thing. I can see that now—and I can respect it—because I would much rather be having this conversation in person, and if it were possible, I would have gotten on a plane and come to do just that.
To top it all off, after going on and on about how my address didn’t change, I find myself in the awkward position of having to say that I can’t tell you where I am or how long I’ll be here or when I’ll be home.
But if I do make it home, I would like to apologize in person, and I would like to hear the explanation you wanted to give.
I’m not rational when it comes to you. Never have been. Never will be.
I don’t expect you to believe this, but I regretted everything I said almost as soon as I said it. I went inside the restaurant, fully intending to enjoy the evening as planned, but five minutes in, I bailed on my buddies and took off in the direction you’d gone.
I’ve missed you. And I’ve missed our friendship. I’m glad you’re getting your life sorted out. So glad.
Anyway, I’ll find you when I get home. And if you’re up for it, we’ll talk.
Mo
Bronwyn stared at the letter.
She reread it ten times over the next two days.
She knew she should forgive him.
But she wouldn’t.
She pulled a pen out and wrote over the top of his last words.
No thanks.
Then, under that, she wrote,
You aren’t who I remembered either. I guess we’ve both changed, and not for the best. Live your life without me, Mo. I’ll happily live mine without you.
She took the letter, folded it, and placed it in an envelope. She mailed it to his parents’ house. He’d get it eventually.
And it didn’t matter to her anymore, anyway.
She was done.
Three Years Earlier
Mo took the stairs from the hospital parking lot three at a time. All he wanted was to get inside and see his mom. It had gutted him to be so far away from her while she was sick.
People her age weren’t supposed to get pneumonia and almost die from an allergic reaction to the antibiotics, especially while their sons were twenty hours away.
Aunt Carol had called him while he was en route and promised that his mom was stable. But that call couldn’t erase the terror that had invaded his soul when Meredith called to tell him that their mom was being rushed to the ICU because she couldn’t breathe.
He’d gotten an emergency medical leave, but it still took more time than he wanted to make the arrangements and get home.
He paced by the elevator and tried to slow his breathing. His dad and Meredith were here. So were Cal and Aunt Carol. He didn’t need to come busting out of the elevator like that great big Kool-Aid man.
When the elevator chimed, he dashed inside and paced the small space until the doors opened again. He half walked, half jogged to the room. The door was open and when he heard the voice inside, he froze.
Why was Bronwyn in his mom’s hospital room?
“When you make it home, call me,” he heard her say. “I’ll bring you some of Chef Louis’s finest creations. And we can watch old movies together.”
Why was Bronwyn offering to hang out with his mom?
“Okay. See you soon.”
Bronwyn stepped into the hall and straight into Mo. Her eyes went huge as he stepped back, then around her. “Excuse me.”
He rushed into the room and promptly forgot about the interaction. Or tried to. After he’d talked to his mom for fifteen minutes, he could tell she was worn out. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her recovery.
“I’ll go for now, Mom. You get some rest. I’m home for the next two weeks.”
“Oh, that’s lovely. I’m so glad.”
He bent down to hug her, and she grabbed his hand and held on. He didn’t try to pull away.
His mom’s voice was weak, but her joy was strong. “Maybe you and Bronwyn can find some time to chat while you’re here.”
“Mom, you don’t need to have anything to do with Bronwyn Pierce.”
“What?”
“Seriously? You can’t trust her. What was she even doing here?”
“She came to see me. She’s back in Gossamer Falls permanently now.”
Mo scowled. “She cut ties with us. She’s a Pierce. I would prefer it if you didn’t let her too close.”
“Sweetheart—”
“Son, let your mom rest,” his father said, stepping in. “We’ll talk later.” Mo’s father was a quiet man who had always had his children’s respect. When he spoke in that tone, the subject was closed.
“Sure. Love you both. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He squeezed his mom’s hand one more time before heading to the door. When he stepped into the hallway, it was to see the furious face of Bronwyn Pierce staring back at him.
He stalked past her.
She followed but didn’t speak until they were in front of the elevators.
“She can’t trust me?” Bronwyn sucked in a breath. “I’m a Pierce?”
“You are a Pierce.”
“You know what I mean. What is wrong with you? Are you truly that filled with hate that you would speak to your own mother that way when she almost died?”
“I don’t want to see her hurt. She loved you like a second daughter.
When you pulled your little disappearing act, it nearly broke her!
Can you blame me for wanting to spare her that kind of heartache?
” The remembered pain of those days sharpened his words.
“You won’t stay. You’ll find a new sugar daddy and take off for California.
And where will that leave everyone here?
Oh, wait, we know, because we’ve already been there. ”
Bronwyn’s lip trembled, but when she spoke, her words were as cold as a mountain pass in January.
“You haven’t changed a bit, have you? You’re still looking for every opportunity to hurt me.
” She shook her head and her lip curled in obvious disgust. “I feel sorry for you. I truly do. But don’t worry.
You win. I won’t speak to you ever again. ”
With that, she raised her chin, turned, and walked away without another word.
It wasn’t until two days later that Mo confessed to Meredith about his altercation with Bronwyn.
“Oh, Mo. What’s wrong with you? Why did you do that?”
He dropped his head into his hands. “I’m an idiot. I wasn’t prepared to see her. I hadn’t slept in thirty-six hours. I was stressed to the max. And it all just came out of me. I can’t ever get things right with her.”
“You could start by apologizing.”
“She made it clear that she won’t talk to me.”
“Then you’ll have to write her a letter.”
“I tried that once before. As you may recall, it didn’t work.”
Meredith grimaced. “I think you have to do it anyway.”
So he did.
Bronwyn,
I did it again. I don’t know why. I have reasons. Lack of sleep. Fear. Emotional turmoil. But they’re all just lame excuses for my incredibly bad behavior. I’m a jerk. An imbecile. A moron. I’m a worm. I’m the absolute worst. You don’t deserve to be subjected to me and my sharp mouth.
This letter is an apology, but it’s also my way of acknowledging that you win. I won’t speak to you until you speak to me first. It’s the least I can do.
Sincerely,
Mo