Chapter 15
Healy thundered down the stairs, glaring furiously. “I won’t let you do this!”
“Dad, you designed this house yourself.”
“My toys, my slide, my swimming pool, and the swing Miss Jean made for me in the garden… I love everything here. I don’t want Mom to smash it all.”
Blanche’s face was unreadable as she stared at Healy. The look made him uneasy, and he quickly ducked behind Eddy for cover.
Mom always looked at him with warmth and affection–never like this. Guilt crept in. Did she find out he’d stayed after school with Miss Jean?
“Dad, please talk to Mom for me.” Healy hunched his shoulders and lowered his voice.
Eddy smiled gently and ruffled Healy’s hair. “Look, the marks your mom made are for your birthday. The renovations are all for your celebration.”
“And soon, there’ll be a new member of our family. It makes sense to update the house a bit, don’t you think?”
He glanced at Blanche. “Honey, isn’t that what you had in mind?”
Blanche answered with a noncommittal “Mm–hmm.”
Healy’s eyes widened in disbelief. He walked over and threw his arms around Blanche’s neck, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Mom, I totally misunderstood you!”
“You really do love me best.”
Last night, Dad had told him that he shouldn’t have given away Mom’s favorite wedding ring–that it was a symbol of their love, as important as he was. That was why Mom was upset and refused to tuck him in.
He’d planned to apologize this morning. But now, it seemed he never needed to worry about Mom ignoring him. She loved him most–even if he made a huge mistake, she’d always forgive him. Her anger never lasted long.
He didn’t need to apologize after all.
Blanche looked at Healy’s bright, innocent smile and felt her heart soften. She pulled him into a hug.
But Healy squirmed out of her arms and darted around the table, ready for breakfast.
Blanche’s hand hung awkwardly in the air.
“But, honey, why do you want to get rid of your beloved car?” Eddy crouched in front of Blanche and took her hand. Her palm was cold, and he felt a pang of concern.
Blanche met his gentle gaze. Memories from the previous night flickered through her mind, and
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Chapter 15
her eyes turned red. “I don’t like it anymore, and I don’t want anyone else to have it.”
Eddy’s lips moved softly. “Alright. Even if you don’t want it, no one else will get to touch your things.”
“So where will we live?” Healy asked through a mouthful of sandwich.
“We’ll move back to the old house and stay with Grandma.”
Eddy’s words cut off Blanche’s plan to move into an apartment near her office. She used to love spending time with Loraine. If she didn’t go, Eddy would grow suspicious.
“Yay!” Healy cheered, waving his arms in delight. With Grandma around, Mom wouldn’t dare scold him. Grandma would even sneak him ice cream pops.
Eddy stood and left the living room, stepping into the garden to make a call, phone pressed to his ear, his hand resting absently on the swing. He traced the cluster of silk flowers tied to the ropes–Jeannette had made this swing for Healy.
A wave of nausea rose in Blanche, and she quickly looked away.
“I’m heading to work,” she said, setting down her fork and knife and getting up.
The housekeeper followed, wheeling Blanche’s single suitcase–everything she owned, once you removed the things tied to Eddy and Healy, fit into just one case.
She thought back to all the times she’d put their needs before her own, always coming last. Now, it almost seemed laughable.
From the garden, Eddy watched Blanche leave, his dark eyes narrowed. She’d lost so much weight.
Into the phone, Eddy said quietly, “Something’s been bothering her these past few days. If she won’t talk to me, she’ll confide in Ingrid Marshall. Ask Ingrid and see what you can find out.”
