Chapter 18
AVERY
The door to the apartment opens that afternoon, and I look up, surprised.
“Mom!” Lila shouts, running straight into Cora’s arms.
They hug tightly, and I force myself to smile.
I’m happy she’s here. I just wish it was on a regular basis.
“Why didn’t you call? I would’ve picked you up from the airport,” I tell her. I’ve always picked her up before.
“It’s been a mess. The job in Denver fell through, and I ended up getting a car and driving home. Airports are canceling all sorts of flights because of the government shutdown, and I just needed to be here.”
I feel bad that I’ve been in my own head and haven’t paid attention to any of that.
“I brought you something, Lila,” Cora says, pulling a small shopping bag from her purse. “I’m lucky it didn’t break on the trip.”
Lila peeks into the bag and pulls out a snow globe. “It’s a little diner. I love it, Mom. Thank you!”
“Well, that wasn’t the full gift. I brought you this too.” She pulls out a long rectangular box and stretches it out to Lila.
“What’s this?” Lila asks, taking it hesitantly.
Cora reaches out and opens the case, showing a silver charm bracelet. “I had one of these as a kid and thought it would be so fun for you. We can get little charms from all our adventures, and then you’ll remember them every time you look down at your wrist.”
Lila grins and says, “Thanks, Mom.”
“I got you two charms already—one a little umbrella, and the other a book, since you love reading and the beach.”
After a quick hug, Lila works to secure the bracelet around her wrist.
“How’s school?” Cora asks.
“It’s okay.” Lila’s smile fades.
“Just okay?” Cora asks, pushing.
Lila glances at me, then back at her. “Can I finish my homework?”
“Of course,” Cora says.
Once she’s gone, the room feels quieter.
Moving her thumb toward the hallway, Cora asks, “Things didn’t go well with the school?”
Looks like we’re both failing in the mentoring department since she didn’t have time to talk other than short updates, and I didn’t willingly give any. There’s been a lot going on in Penrose Beach as it is.
“She got suspended, and so did the boy she punched.” I wait to see Cora’s reaction.
“Did you talk to her?”
“Of course. I even gave her several chores and took away her phone. Joey hasn’t gone after her again, but Kylie ditched her for the cool kids.”
Cora frowns. “Ugh, I hate that working nights means I miss even the littlest updates. How is she taking that?”
“We’ve had a few nightly chats about it. She was talking about a girl in math class who invited her to sit with her at lunch. I’m crossing my fingers things go well there.”
“I’ll cross my fingers too. I hate this, Ave.”
I walk over and hug her. “I know. Do you have to leave again soon?”
“Yeah, in a few days.”
“For how long?”
She hesitates. “A week.”
“What about a nursing job closer to home?” I ask.
“I would love to, but I won’t be able to pay off the bills and loans as quickly.
And if I don’t do that, I can’t help you with everything here.
” She gives me another hug. “Thank you so much for being here, Avery. I know you could be a lot of places, but it means a lot that you’re sacrificing to be with us. ”
There’s a long moment of silence before I say, “We’re family, Cora. We’re working on this together.”
“I’m hoping to have everything paid off in a year,” she says, her eyes filling with tears.
“I love Lila, Cora,” I say carefully. “But she needs you. Especially right now. Even a call now and then will do wonders.”
With a deep sigh, Cora says, “She’s still young. There will be plenty of time in a few years. And then we’ll be besties instead of mother and daughter.”
“But will that be too late? Will she want to hang out with you when you never took the time to figure out what she likes? Or get to know the fun personality she has?” I don’t know why I’m getting so choked up about this, but I have to say something. There are some things that can’t be undone.
“I’ll call more, check in more. We can make it through a year.”
The knot in my chest tightens.
But I already know what I’ll say.
“I can do that.”
She exhales. “Thank you.”
“Ask her about her visit to the principal’s office. That might be a good bonding conversation.
“Will do. How’s the coffee shop?” she asks.
The question lands, but her attention is already drifting to her phone.
“We’re moving forward,” I tell her.
“That’s good,” she replies absently, before lifting her phone in the air. “I need to take this.”
I watch her go, then glance toward Lila’s room. It’s like there’s a train wreck on the horizon, and I can’t stop it. I can understand the worry of debts, but those will still be there even when Lila is grown and out of the house.
She’s stressed and so am I. We’ll figure it out.
Somehow.