Page 56 of Miles's Pact
Nodding, Duckie pressed the phone to his ear as I started gathering the ingredients for a simple chicken salad. Maybe I'd use the dressing Papa had made. He whipped up big batches every few weeks and then stashed some in our and Micah's fridges when we weren't around. He was like a vampire godmother in the kitchen. He didn't eat human food, yet he enjoyed cooking it for the people he cared about, and we enjoyed eating what he made.
Duckie
"Hey, Duckie," Mom answered after the third ring, her warm voice making my lips curve in response. We'd talked a fewtimes since my visit, but I'd been too caught up in my growing relationship with the twins to see her again.
"Hey, Mom. Sorry I missed your call. How are you?"
"I'm good, sweetheart. What about you? And Miles and Mateo?"
After our conversation that day, she hadn't tried to get me to leave the twins again, and I was grateful for that. I loved being with them, and I wasn't going to let the fear of something bad happening to them keep me from being happy with them. I would never let fear control my life again.
"We're good too. Happy," I said, and Miles shot me a smile. I watched as he chopped up some lettuce, his deft hands moving with a rhythm I found hypnotic, so much so that I missed what Mom had said.
"Sorry, could you repeat that?" I asked, making her laugh.
"Let me guess. You're with Miles," she said, her voice light with amusement, and I blushed.
"Um."
"It's all right, kiddo. I remember the early days with your dad. We could barely keep our hands off each other."
"Mom!" I protested, making her laugh again.
Judging by the twinkle in Miles's eyes, he found the situation as amusing as Mom. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he winked at me before turning his attention back to the meal prep.
"Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?" I asked in a desperate bid to get the conversation back on track and away from the topic of my parents' sex life.
"Yes, actually," Mom said, a bit of hesitation entering her voice. "I was thinking, if you're open to the idea, I would like to move to Mistvale."
Whatever I'd expected her to say, it wasn't that.
"You would?"
"Only if it's okay with you. The only reason I stayed in this town all these years was because I'd hoped you would come back. Now that I have you back, I have no reason to stay here. I'd like a fresh start, and I'd like to be closer to you. What do you think?"
I glanced at Miles to find him watching me, but he didn't offer a suggestion either way, leaving the decision up to me.
I had to admit—the idea of Mom living in Mistvale was one I could get onboard with. Not only would she be safer here, but I'd be able to visit her more often. She could be a part of the clan and have a community again.
"I think it's a great idea."
"Yeah?"
"Yes! Do you want me to find a place for you, or would you like to do it yourself?"
"It might be easier if you did it. I don't need a big place. A small apartment should suffice."
"You don't want something bigger?"
"There's no point when it'll be just me, Duckie. Maybe something with two bedrooms so you can stay over sometimes?"
"Okay. I'll let you know when I find something."
"Thank you, sweetheart. I'll let you get back to your mate. Tell Miles hi from me."
"I will. Bye, Mom. Love you."
"Love you too, sweetie."
