Chapter 39

“You—you reminded me of Aunt Fran…just now.” I didn’t want to upset her. Mom doesn’t like it when I bring up her younger sister. It reminds her of those dark days. Of her depression. “Coffee? Tea?” I asked, removing my stained frock and heading to the kitchen.

“I know you miss her,” Mom said, warmly enough. “She was the mother you never had.”

Her words shocked me. I didn’t expect to ever hear her say such a thing. I knew I’d blushed and I couldn’t meet her eyes. I hurried to the tea pot and fumbled with the faucet.

“Is Myles here?” she asked, behind me.

I put the pot on the burner and leaned back on the sink, watching her settle on a stool at the kitchen island counter.

“Anne told me he lives here.” Mom cleared her throat. “She calls me from time to time.”

Why was Myles’s sister suddenly taking interest in my mother?