“What?” I whispered.
She held her hands up and shrugged. “I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to call you and tell you not to come home, but then I didn’t know how long she would stay present in the moment.”
“You could have called and told me she was okay, but I still would have come home.”
“I figured as much, but I didn’t want to upset your mother. You had said when her memory slips, she doesn’t know what’s going on but acts embarrassed when you mention it when she’s having good days.” She stepped forward and wrung her hands together. “I truly apologize for upsetting you, Mr. Cummings. Had I known she would come back around, I wouldn’t have called you.”
I looked in the kitchen and saw my mother pulling bowls down from the cabinet. She looked just like my mom. She moved with purpose and didn’t show signs that her mind was slipping. “You did the right thing, Susan. I’m not upset with you at all. Perhaps me leaving for such long periods isn’t good for her.”
“You can’t know what’s going to set off an episode. I’ve dealt with this quite often. You can’t beat yourself up over this.”
“Why don’t you two stop talking about me and come get some ice cream.” Mom held up a bowl and smiled. “I’m okay, Brooks.”
Susan squeezed my shoulder. “Be happy for the moments you have your mother, Brooks. Don’t dwell on the bad.”
She walked into the kitchen and talked to Mom like they were the best of friends. As if she hadn’t called me three hours ago upset by the fact Mom’s memory had slipped.
I hung my head and ran my fingers through my hair.
This was going to be my new normal, and I wasn’t ready for it at all.
*
Chapter Twenty-Two
Frankie
What in the hell was I doing?
I set the bag full of groceries down on the stoop and looked up at the monstrous house that belonged to Brooks Cummings. He could probably fit four of my duplex’s inside and still have room.
“What are you doing here, Frankie?” I sighed and hung my head.
After three days with no sign of Brooks, I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out what was going on with him. I tried to ask about him from Roc and Harlyn, but I couldn't exactly show an interest in his whereabouts without giving away the fact I liked him. Well, at least I think I liked him.
Gah, I was a mess.
Harlyn had finally taken pity on me and slipped me his address when I was nonchalantly trying to figure out where he lived. “Just making sure he's not dead,” I assured her.
She scrunched up her nose and nodded. “Yeah, totally, girl. Just a welfare check.”
And now, I was here on his front step with all the fixings for a lasagna and a bottle of wine. The wine was a last minute addition that I was now regretting and thinking of ditching in the bushes before I knocked.
“Can I help you?”
I jumped up and spun around only to fall into the bushes. “Or I could just ditch myself in the bushes,” I muttered.
“Holy smokes. I’m so sorry, dear. I didn't mean to surprise you like that. I figured you would have heard me pull up. And close my door. And beep the locks on my car.”
She held out a hand and hoisted me back up onto the porch.
“Uh, yeah. I guess I was in my own head.” I brushed off my ass and picked a stray leaf out of my hair.
The woman standing in front of me released my hand and looked down at the bag by my feet. “Dinner?”
Who was this? She didn’t look anything like Brooks so I had no clue who she might be. “Uh, yeah. I just dropped by to see Brooks for a second.”
She leaned closer and moved things around in the bag. “Lasagna takes a little bit more than a second, darlin’.”
I cleared my throat and reached down to grab the bag. “You know what? I’ll just come by to see him another night.” Like never. I was already on edge getting the guts to come here, and I didn’t need Brooks’ housekeeper or whoever the heck she was on my case.
“Nonsense,” she muttered. “I know Brooks and Christy will love the company.” She opened the front door and motioned for me to go in.
My brain was stuck on the name Christy.
Who was Christy and why did she throw her name together with Brooks as if they were a couple?
“Darlin’, you’re gonna have to come in if you want to make lasagna. Unless you want to go around to the back patio and use the outdoor kitchen.”
Of course Brooks would have an outdoor kitchen. I rolled my eyes and stepped through the door. I might as well get over the embarrassment of meeting Brooks’ girlfriend and be on my way.
“Brooks,” the lady called. “I found a pretty girl on the front steps.”
“I’ll be right there,” he called from the depths of the house. I looked around and tried not to act like I had just stepped into a house that should be gracing all of the house shows on that home channel.
“We’re in the foyer.” She smiled big and held her hand out. “So sorry I didn’t introduce myself before scaring you into that bush. I’m Susan.”
I numbly shook her hand. “Uh, I’m Frankie. I work with Brooks.”
“Oh,” she boomed. “He’s talked about you before. He was telling me a story about you the other day.” She beamed at me and squeezed my hand tightly. “You've got a lot of spunk in you, girl. I like it.” She winked at me and released my hand.
“Oh, uh, thank you?” I was shocked that Brooks had even said my name, let alone told a story about me that didn’t make me look like a raging bitch. Hashtag winning.
“Frankie?” Brooks stood at the other side of the room looking utterly shocked.
Well, that wasn't exactly the reaction I had been hoping for. Susan had been happier to see me than Brooks. I waved lamely and took a step back which made me bump into the wall and stumble.
Susan giggled and hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll just go check in on Christy.”
Brooks had been staring at me and shook his head at Susan’s words. “She was sleeping the last time I looked in on her. So far, it’s been a good day,” he said quietly as she walked past him.
She patted him on the shoulder and disappeared back the way he had come from.
Can I say that after that quick conversation between the two, I was even more confused than I had been before?
Who was Christy?
She could be his girlfriend, but since he had talked about her being asleep and having a good day it made me think he might possibly have a daughter.
Was it a friend who was vying for his attention but she was sick and was using her sickness as a way to get right where she wanted him?
Jesus. Now who was the odd one? I was letting my imagination take over when all I needed to do was ask Brooks who Christy was. I just needed to get the words out of my mouth.
He didn’t move toward me once Susan left, and I didn’t take that as promising. He wasn’t happy I was here. I should have at least texted him a warning that I was coming over. Although, I had texted him Sunday when he had left suddenly, and he never texted me back.
My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was about to puke. “What in the hell am I doing here?” I blurted. Oh for Pete’s sake. Very smooth, Frankie.