Page 76 of Cruel Embers
He nods. “Yeah, she’ll be fine, just been a little emotional. We’ve been going through your brother's stuff.”
My breath stutters, not expecting him to say that. I glance at the boxes and then back to my dad.
“Oh.”
Nathan's arm goes around my shoulder, pulling me into his side, giving me the support I silently crave.
“We wanted to see if you wanted any of the stuff in the boxes before we donate it.”
I blink, on the verge of tears. This is such a big step for them, and honestly, I have no idea how to process it.
“Darling, would you be a dear and open the cava,” my mum calls out, walking back in with the bottle and passing it to my dad. Her eyes go to him and then back to me.
“Your father told you?” It's a rhetorical question, but I nod anyway. “Do you think I could have a minute with you?” she asks.
And my dad and Nathan excuse themselves to the kitchen, giving us some privacy.
Mum sits on the sofa and pats the space next to her for me to join her. Wringing her hands in her lap, she clears her throat.
“Violet, I want to apologise for my behaviour at the baby shower.”
I shake my head, about to tell her she has nothing to apologise for, but she reaches for my hand and squeezes.
“No, Violet, I spoke to your dad a lot this week, and we’ve both agreed we need help; to talk to someone about losing your brother. It’s why we decided to try and start going through his stuff. But you’re welcome to take anything you might want to keep.”
She bats away a stray tear, and I find myself unable to hold my own at bay.
“We know we didn’t handle it well, and we’re still not. And for that, we’re both sorry. You deserve better. Youdeservedbetter.”
I frown at that. “Mum, it wasn’t like I was neglected.”
She gives me a sad smile. “But to an extent, you were, love. So, if you wanted to come to a family counselling session with your father and me, I think it would be a good way for us to move forward.”
My mouth opens and closes, unable to form a response.
“I have a lot to work through, but I want you to know I love you very much. Violet, your father and I are proud of the woman you’ve become.”
I let go of her hand, wrap my arms around her shoulders, and pull her into a hug.
“I love you, Mum,” I say, my tears falling.
She rubs my back softly. “I love you, too, baby girl.”
When we pull apart, we both wipe at our tear-streaked faces.
“Did you want to go through the boxes after dinner, see if you want to keep anything?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’d like that very much.”
“Here we are,” my dad says, entering with Nathan, holding a glass of wine in each hand.
Pushing to my feet, I go straight to Nathan, and he hands me a glass, kissing the top of my head.
“You okay, Tink?” he asks softly.
I swallow and nod, tilting my head to look at him.
“Yeah.”
