Mom was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. She wasn’t dressed yet and still had on her slippers and fuzzy robe. “You feeling all right Mom?” I asked.
“Sure,” she said and tucked her hair behind her ears, a nervous habit she had, which meant something was up.
“Is Ken coming over tonight?” I grabbed my lunch from her and shoved it into my bag. I didn’t bother asking what it was–PB&J with an apple. I could feel it weighing down the bag.
“I don’t know, he has that investigation he is working on …so….” She trailed off looking unsure.
“Mom, I’m sure he’ll call you later.” I tried to reassure her.
“You think so?” She brightened.
“Yeah, sure, why wouldn’t he.”
“Yes, I guess you’re right.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. She looked like a little kid.
“Do you need me to pick anything up from the store?”
“Um...” She chewed on her lip. “I don’t know.”
She looked confused. Not a good sign.
“I’ll be home a little late so if you want something, give me a call and I’ll try to drop it off before I head over to the hospital.”
“Hospital,” she repeated. “Why are you going there?” Her brow creased with worry.
“To see Glinda,” I reminded her. “I’m going with Viktor after school.”
“Oh right.” She rubbed her forehead. “Maybe I’ll go back to sleep for a bit.”
“Yeah, totally, you should. It’s one of those good rainy days for sleeping.”
She looked over her shoulder toward the door. “I didn’t realize it was raining.” Her brow furrowed.
“When isn’t it raining?”
“I guess you’re right,” she giggled. The sound set my jumpy nerves on edge. I hated when she laughed like that—it reminded me of a demented physco. “Don’t you have a book to read,” I suggested hopefully.
“Yes, I do,” she enthused. “I just got it in the mail, actually.”
“Good day for reading.”
“Yes, it is.” She took a breath. “Thank you for reminding me.”
I let out a pent up breath. Now we were cooking, she was on the right path. “You know what?”
“Hmm?” she said, distracted.
I lifted up a book on the hall table, guessing this was her new purchase. “You should read this today and that way you can tell me what happens tonight when I get home.”
“I think you’re right.” She took the book and cradled it to her chest. “Good call, sweetheart.”
“Yep, sounds like a plan.” I slid on my slicker. I didn’t want to wear it but it kept me dry and by the looks of the torrential downpour outside, I would need it.
“Well, I’m off,” she said breezily, heading toward the living room.
“Have fun,” I called after her.
“Oh, I will.”
“Thank the Lord,” I mumbled and headed out into the rain.