Page 19 of The Other Side of Green

She pushed me back, fast-tracking tears slipping down her face and her hands caught mine as she stared me straight in the eye. “I don’t know what you’ve been running from, but I’m so glad you’re home.”

As she squeezed me again, I let myself be. No more fighting, no more deals, no more anger. For one long and precious moment there was nothing inside of me.

Until Mom had to speak and made it all come aching back. “I was just about to go and see the Lennox kids. Grams passed away. I’m sure they’ve got half the neighborhood in there asking for all sorts.”

She smiled. Her skin glowed brighter than it ever had before. “You look like a new woman, Mom.” I clutched at her hand cupped around my cheek and pressed a kiss into her palm. Such a simple thing to have missed so damn much.

“I am a new woman.”

I nodded. Lyra had already told me this.

“Mom, I’m so sorry I never protected you.”

Her face crumpled, her teeth pulling her lower lip in and pressing on the skin. “No. I’m sorry I never protected you.”

“I should never have left that night without coming to see you.”

“You did what you had to do.”

I met her gaze. “You know it wasn’t me, right?”

Mom chuckled and the four years we’d spent apart ebbed away. “You’re my son, I’d know you anywhere. I just wish you hadn’t left before we talked it through; before you made choices that you’d regret.”

I dropped my head, my chin resting on my chest. “I had to leave.”

“I know. You were in love with Lyra Lennox.”

My mouth fell open and I snapped it shut to ask, “What?”

“Shall we go inside and talk about this?” Mom gestured to the front door swinging open.

“It’s a nice home, Mom.”

“Sure is.” She looped her hand through my arm like she could forgive me for anything I ever did. Maybe she would. Let’s hope I never had to find out again. “Things have changed a bit, Jack, okay?”

She glanced up at me with a question in her eyes.

“I’d be worried if they hadn’t.” I smiled, trying to feel like I’d come home… anything.

She patted my arm. “I can’t believe you’re here, baby boy.” She cast a quick gaze over me. “Although I don’t think I can call you that anymore. Look at you, so handsome.”

I actually blushed, but shook my head, searching her face, trying to read her own story there instead on focusing on my twisted tales.

“Me neither. I never thought I would get to come back.”

“But something changed?”

I smiled, almost automatically, but then remembered the fact I’d driven all the way home by myself instead of with Lyra at my side. “A little.”

“That your car?” She motioned to where I’d parked on the road outside the short pathway.

“Yeah.”

“It’s fancy.”

I laughed and shook my head. “It’s all I have left. I don’t think I can go back to where I was.”

She eyed me, lips pursed. “That’s my Jack, always running.”