Page 152 of The Cheerleader

Bryan freezes at his words, then takes Wally’s hand and bundles him into the back seat.

“Then we better get you there right away.”

I get in the car, and I can’t imagine what’s on Bryan’s mind. Even if he wanted to tell me, which is debatable, he wouldn’t say anything in front of Wally. When he starts the car, I put my hand on his and whisper, “Are you sure we should go there? Your mom⁠—”

“I’ll drop him off. I won’t go inside.” His jaw clenches, and the muscles twitch.

When we get there, I hide my reaction to the dilapidated state of his house. Or I try to.

Bryan snorts as he gets out. “Wait 'til you see the inside.”

Now I’m worried. “I thought you said…” I don’t bother finishing my sentence as I get out of the car and scramble to keep up with him and Wally.

The kid runs ahead, yelling, “Auntie, look who’s here!”

I catch up to Bryan before we reach the back porch steps, and he takes my hand, holding tight.

When his mother—I assume it’s his mother, but the resemblance is only slight, except she’s tall and broad-shouldered like him—comes outside, letting the screen door slam shut behind her.

Her hand covers her mouth, and her eyes look ravaged by grief and maybe life in general, hollow and dark.

“I thought I⁠—”

“I wanted to come home. One last time. Before it’s all gone.”

She nods and turns away, covering her eyes. Bryan lets go of my hand and goes to her. Wally jumps back down the steps and comes to my side. I automatically put a hand on his shoulder and hold him close.

“Mom.”

She turns to him, eyes streaming with tears, and I struggle to keep from crying in empathy.

“You… look so much like him. In his better years. How I want to remember him.”

“I know. I don’t mind.”

She snorts. “You’re a lot like him.”

“We’ll see. Maybe I can handle setbacks better than him.”

She nods. “You can. You are.” She peers past Bryan and looks straight at me.

I smile.

“You must be the young lady.”

“Mom, this is Susie Bennett. The love of my life, the woman I’m marrying.”

She nods and swipes at her cheeks, a small smile bending her mouth. “Where are my manners? Come inside. Have some coffee.”

Bryan shakes his head. “Not today⁠—”

I rush up the steps, surprising her. “I’m so happy to meet you, and I wish with all my heart the circumstances were different.” I take her in a hug, giving her no choice, though I know she’s reluctant.

“Oh my. You’re sweet.” She flashes a grin up at her son and nods. “You’ve done well.”

“I have. But so have you. You have me, don’t you?”

She laughs. “There’s my son, the boy with the big talk like you used to be.”