I thought you were taking my place.”
She looked surprised.
“What?”
“For years.”
My throat tightened.
“I’d see how much she told you. How she called you. How you knew every little thing happening at school.”
Nadine’s face softened.
“I wasn’t trying to take your place, Marla.”
“I know.”
“I was just trying to make sure someone was there.”
That hurt.
Because there was no cruelty in it.
Only truth.
I nodded.
“I’ve missed too much.”
Nadine touched my arm.
“You can stop missing it.”
We found Tessa outside the music room.
When she saw me, she froze.
“Mom?”
Just that.
One word.
But there was surprise in it.
“You came.”
I had imagined apologizing all evening.
I had imagined saying something beautiful enough to repair years of hurried dinners, missed concerts, and promises that ended with, “Something came up at work.”
Instead, I walked over and hugged her.
“I’m
