Page 160 of Forged in the Fire
He poked his head inside the open door.
She was at the mirror, pulling the big curlers from her hair. She was dressed in black jeans and a black undershirt, but she hadn’t put on the black western shirt that was part of her uniform yet.
“There’s my sweet Silas,” she said with her soft smile through the mirror.
“Hey, Mom,” he muttered, not sure why he felt so nervous as he stepped inside and crossed the room, welcoming her tight hug.
“How was your day?”
“It was really good.” He pretty much stammered it.
She must have sensed it because she pulled back with a frown, studying his face. She had to look up now since he was an inch taller than her.
“What’s going on?” She’d always been able to tell when something was up with him.
When he was upset or sad or secretly excited.
He wavered, unsure what to do or what to say. He’d always hated lying to her. He knew he wasn’t good at it and knew even more that it wasn’t right.
But he knew she needed this even though she’d refuse it if she knew where it came from.
So he tried to twist his mouth into a genuine grin. “I got a big bonus today.”
Her frown deepened, but not in a bad way. “A bonus?”
“Yep. Mr. Barker said I was doing such a good job that he wanted to give me something extra.”
“That’s amazing, Silas. Of course he thinks you’re doing a good job. You’re the hardest working, most caring person I know.”
His chest stretched with guilt, and he hid his face by kneeling to set his backpack onto the worn carpet, his hands shaking as he unzipped it and dug to the bottom to pull out the bag.
Standing, he extended it to her.
Confusion traipsed through her expression as her eyes darted between the bag and his face.
“Take it,” he urged, and she seemed wary as she took it.
A soft breath of surprise left her when she peeked inside.
“Silas, this is…” She couldn’t seem to find the right words before she was looking at him deep. “This is a lot of money.”
He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “It’s for you.”
Her frown deepened. “No, honey, you’ve been working hard this whole summer and you deserve this.”
“No way, Mom. It’s for our family. I know we need it.”
Moisture made her eyes glassy, and the guilt made him feel like he was going to pass out.
But she needed it badly. He knew she did. So any guilt he felt was worth it.
“Please, Mom…I need you to take it. You work so hard to take care of all of us.”
She reached out and set her hand on his chest. Whispered, “Silas, my sweet boy. It’s your heart.”
That heart felt like it was going to bust.
TWENTY-NINE
