Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Ethel looked away and Nikki didn’t know what to say. There was no point in lying to her, and telling her that it wasn’t true, because it was. Ethel had been a horrible mother. Cruel.
She might not be the worst mother in the world, but she certainly wasn’t the best.
“So, I entered their program. I got clean, and in doing so, I started to see where I went wrong with my life. With the church’s help, I’ve been able to get this place cleaned up. I pay my rent regularly and in the right way. No men come to my door. I’m celibate and will not be in a relationship with anyone. I have Sean. He was part of my recovery and I love him so much.”
“I’m so happy.”
“I work down at the church, I volunteer there four times a week. I also work the morning and night shift at a local diner, just down the street. Father Richard had to get me a chance, and trust me, it has been hard. I don’t flirt. I work hard, and I’ve been trying to come and see you.”
“You have?”
“You’re rarely at your trailer. I’ve been trying to come and see you to build a relationship. Seeing you on my doorstep tonight was a relief.”
Nikki couldn’t help the tears that filled her eyes. “Wow.”
“I’m so glad you are here, honey.”
“I … needed a place to stay.”
“You’re not in any kind of trouble, are you?”
“No, no, I’m not in any kind of trouble. It’s just that this is the last place a guy would think to find me.”
“A guy?”
She knew she couldn’t keep the details to herself, so she told her everything. How she had met Hawk by stumbling into his library at the club. The friendship they formed that soon turned into something a lot more. The secret relationship, followed by finding out he cheated on her. By the time she got to that bit, she was already sobbing. The memory of it hurt too much.
Ethel pulled her into her arms, and Nikki went willingly. This was the first real hug she had gotten from her mother. All the ones she might have gotten when she was younger were blighted by everything else that happened around it, but this was real. This was the two of them.
“I’ve got you, Sweetheart. I know firsthand that men are no good.”
Nikki tried to reel in her sadness. “I should have known. We didn’t promise anything to each other, and I was kept a secret. I was not allowed to go to any of the parties. I had to stay to myself, and he didn’t want me around him or the club. I was a fool.”
“Do you love him?” Ethel asked.
She lifted up and pulled back some of her hair. “I tried not to.”
“But you fell in love?”
Nikki nodded and she felt like crying even more. “I don’t even know why I fell in love with him. It is so stupid, and I’m an idiot.”
“Stop it. You’re not an idiot. I know men can say and do all the right things. You loved him.”
“I did.” Nikki felt the tears building again, and she closed her eyes in the hope of fighting them.
“It might be time to let them out,” Ethel said. “Don’t fight them. This man, whoever he is, he’s the fool, for hurting my baby.”
She felt her mother’s touch as she tucked some of her hair behind her ears.
“Do you know what this needs?” Ethel asked.
“No?”
“Ice cream. The chocolate fudge kind, and I have a carton.”
“You’re eating ice cream now?” Nikki asked.
Ethel laughed. “I’ll be right back.”
Her mother put Sean on the sofa, and Nikki reached out tentatively and stroked down the dog’s back. He didn’t growl or bark. He laid there and seemed to love being stroked. She found it so soothing to stroke him.
Ethel returned with a carton of ice cream and two spoons. “I have discovered in the past few months that I love ice cream. I’m always trying different flavors that I can get my hands on. Anything chocolate has my vote. This is delicious. One of the best ice creams around.”
She took the spoon from her mother and took a mouthful. “You’re right, that is good.”
“Don’t even get me started on a cinnamon roll. I mean, wow, that thing is like heaven in a bite. Then you’ve got meatballs and spaghetti. They are so good, and I love having mine stuffed with cubes of mozzarella, it is the best thing in the world.”
Nikki couldn’t believe she was listening to her mother talk about food.
“Food is like … amazing. I’m relearning to cook.”
“Relearning?”
“Yeah, I used to cook all the time, before I had you. My mom, your grandmother, always told me it was going to ruin my figure.” Ethel laughed. “She would have probably preferred me to ruin my figure than what I ended up doing.”