Page 14 of Protecting Addison
The one word broke Addison’s heart even more. She’d started asking her daughter that question when she first got sick. When she felt helpless to know what to do, she’d ask that question, and Ellory would tell her what she needed. A backrub, lying with her in bed until she fell asleep, reading a book to her, a favorite stuffed animal…Now, none of those things would help.
“Okay, honey. If you think of anything, let me know.”
“I will.”
The rest of the ride home was done in silence, and when they arrived, Ellory shuffled into the house and went straight to her room.
Addison put her purse down on the counter and stared at the cake she still needed to box up. It was one of her best creations. The fiftieth wedding anniversary cake was three tiers with a cascade of fondant flowers winding down the side from top to bottom. The flowers had taken hours to make the day before—and a full twenty-four hours to dry—and Addison had been so proud of how they’d turned out.
But as she stared at the cake now, the accomplishment felt hollow in the face of something far more important, and her vision blurred with tears.
There was nothing she could do for Ellory. Not with her health, not with the bullies at school. She felt as if she was failing as a parent, and she had no idea what to do.
Her phone vibrated against her hip and with a sigh, she pulled it out of her pocket. Seeing it was Ricky on the other end, she answered. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?”
Addison was surprised by the concern she heard in his voice…and that with only one word, he’d picked up on her distress. “Nothing.”
“Don’t do that. Talk to me, Addy.”
She sighed. “I just got back from picking Ellory up from school.”
“Shit. She had a flare-up?”
“Yeah, I think so, but it was more than that. She didn’t tell me what happened, but those girls who’ve been picking on her were obviously at it again.”
“I’ll talk to her when I get home.”
Addison bit her lip. She didn’t know how to say what shewantedto say without hurting his feelings.
“What? Spit it out, Addison.”
How could this man read her so well after such a short period of time? And when they weren’t even in the same room? She had no idea, but she didn’t hate it. “It’s just that…she’s about at that age where she doesn’t want to talk aboutanything. We have a very close relationship, and she doesn’t want to talk tomeabout it, even though I went through the same thing with bullies. I just don’t want you to feel bad if she won’t talk to you.”
“I fully admit I have no experience with teenagers. Or almost-teenagers. But maybe talking to an outsider will help her open up.”
“Maybe,” Addison said skeptically.
“I’m not going to say or do anything to make the situation worse,” Ricky told her.
“I didn’t think you would,” Addison told him, honestly shocked he’d even think that. “She respects you. Loves having you around. You’ve given her something I couldn’t give her in a million years.”
“What’s that?”
“A positive male role model. I know you aren’t her dad, and you probably haven’t realized it since you didn’t know her very well before, but she’s opened up a lot since we’ve moved in. She talks more. Smiles more. If you’d be willing to talk to her, I’d be grateful.”
“Of course I will,” Ricky said without hesitation. “Ellory is a beautiful person. But more than that, she’s tough as nails…just like her mother. She’ll get through this. Promise. Did you get your cakes finished?”
The change of subject was abrupt, but Addison was glad. His words hit her hard. She’d always thought her daughter was strong, but hearing her feelings validated by Ricky felt really good. “Yeah. I just have to box up the last one and get it ready for pickup.”
“How did it turn out?”
“Good.”
Ricky chuckled. “Which means it fucking rocks. Sorry…freaking rocks. Take a pic and text it to me? I want to brag about my wife’s decorating skills.”
“Whatever,” Addison told him, secretly thrilled. “How’s work been?”
