Page 137 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

“Mom?”

The line chirps, and then my mother’s voice comes through crystal clear. “Hi, Riley.”

Eli guides me away from a crowd of people, into a near-silent store. I shoot him a grateful smile, then focus back on Mom.

“How are you?” I ask.

She sighs. “I should be the one asking you that.”

Yeah, well.

“The people are nice here. I’m learning a lot of coping skills and how to deal with my depression and anxiety.”

“Anxiety?”

“It presents itself in different ways. In my case, it effected my ability to leave the house.”

Ah.

It’s been two months since we admitted her to Meadowview. She was almost released at the thirty-day mark, but she and her doctors agreed that she wasn’t ready. She also hadn’t called, and only Dad was allowed to visit her.

Or so he said.

Noah thinks Mom didn’t want us up there.

“I have good news,” Mom says. “We’ve figured out a medication and dosage that helps me, and I’m ready to come home.”

My chest tightens. “Really?”

“I’ll be home for Christmas.” Her voice cracks.

I cover my mouth, because I don’t want to blurt out anything stupid.

Dad’s been on leave from his job for almost as long as she’s been at the facility. The worst part is that these past few months are the most I’ve seen of Dad. He still wakes up with me every morning and sits diligently by the window until I return.

Coffee in the pot.

Newspapers laid out on the table.

We share a quick breakfast, and I head to school.

Sometimes Eli is a substitute teacher, but he’s stepped back. Now, he’s taking online classes at the local community college to prepare him to rejoin a university.

Oh, and the best part?

My cross-country team made it to State.

A recruiter was there.

And I don’t think anyone had as loud of a cheering section as I did at that race.

“Eli and I are going to Chicago for New Year’s,” I tell her.

She hums. “Lovely boy.”

Her brain skips over the year of tortured hatred I felt toward him. To her, we were together all along. He never broke my heart and I never betrayed his trust.

Some days I wish it was that simple.