As soon as Drew was gone my mother turned on me, “Well? Is there something you want to tell me?”
I tried to reassure her, “We’ll only stay the night; we’ve got a flight tomorrow evening.” That was the soonest there was. Angela had checked for me.
Her eyebrows went up in surprise, “You’re leaving again?”
“Yes,” I said, “I live there now. Besides, Drew really needs me.”
She snorted. I ignored that. “Why did you come here then?”
“They’re… they’re taking Cynthia, his… well, ex-girlfriend, I guess, off life support. She’s at the hospital I used to work at.”
“Oh!” To my surprise, my mother looked relieved. She sat down and ran her hand through her matted hair. “I see.”
“What did you think?” I demanded, shocked.
She laughed, flushing slightly, “I thought you were pregnant.”
I stared at her in complete and blatant surprise for a moment and then started to laugh with her. The idea was so impossible and so idiotic it truly was hilarious.
Drew didn’t notice me like that.
My laughter was abruptly bitter.