Mark told her that I was going through a difficult time.
That after my mother died, I had withdrawn into myself.
Then his voice became serious.
“Mom, Jake is like a brother to me. If he ever starts thinking he’s alone, remind him that he isn’t.”
The recording ended.
I couldn’t move.
Susan spoke softly.
“Do you know why I never played that for you?”
I shook my head.
“Because after the funeral, you ran away from me. I could see you from across the street. For years. And I kept waiting for the day you would finally knock on my door.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“Did you hate me?”
“No. I was angry with you.”
I swallowed hard.
“For what?”
“Because I lost my son in that accident, and then you decided I had to lose you too.”
That sentence broke something inside me.
I lowered my head.
