Chapter 76

Mama waited me out.

“It’s just not the same here,” I said at last.

“I could have told you that. In fact, it seems I did, but you wouldn’t listen.”

“Just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s bad. I just feel a bit out of my league.”

“Well, if you want to come home—”

“I don’t want to go home. I’m just feeling a little scared.”

“You? Scared? Since when?”

“Since now, Mama.”

“Scared of what?”

“I don’t know.”

“You know you can always talk to me, Wiley. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I’m still your mama, and I always will be. I wish you would have stayed here where you belong, with your own blood, but I’m sure you know best.”

“Jack needed this.”

“But you didn’t. Did you?”

“Not really,” I admitted.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you was homesick.”

“I am nothomesick!”

“You’re homesick, aren’t you? Well, that’s all right, baby.”

“Mama, I’m not homesick.”

“You are too. You actually miss us, don’t you? Billy will be so surprised when I tell him.”