Page 86 of Break Me Not

“Mom, it's okay. I'm here now and⁠—”

“Well, what exactly are you going to do about it?” the older, frail woman asked with a venom I didn't know her body could possibly hold.

I could see the old her, the nice, caring, sweet woman Jax had talked about through the anger. When she snapped out of it, she was right back to her old self.

One moment, she would be looking at both of us with so much vitriol I was worried if I should be pulling Jax out of the room before it got too bad, but the next, she was sweet again.

Jax was good at diverting her attention elsewhere, using her own words and delusions to funnel her into the next topic.

It had taken almost half an hour to get her to sit down at the table, and this was the first time I was able to open the soup I had made.

“Oh, did you bring me something nice to eat?”

I nodded with a smile and started scooping it into a plastic bowl I had brought.

There was finally an excited grin on her face.

“The food in this place sucks,” she said with a small chuckle. “But at least the people are nice.”

“And that counts for something, right?” I asked with equal excitement. “Now, I may not be the world's best cook, but one of my favorite dishes was my grandma’s chicken noodle soup. I know it sounds basic, but you'd be surprised at how hard it is to make a good one.”

She grabbed her bowl and spoon as if nothing before this had happened.

I could feel how tired Jax was. She leaned into me, seeking comfort. I could tell that she wanted to apologize for something that was not her fault, but I wouldn't look at her. I was focusing on the little lady in front of me.

As soon as she started eating, her eyes lit up.

“You know, Ma made something really similar to this. She would stew the chicken for days sometimes, continuously adding vegetables and water to make new soup. Though I have to say yours tastes much better, and it's probably better for the stomach too.”

Jax relaxed beside me.

“Thank you,” I said. “And it's really nice to meet you. I know I mentioned it before, but I'm Liz.”

“Jaxie’s friend. Oh yes, I know.” She gave me a wink. “I’m Donna. My friends call me Don.”

“Mama,” Jax whined, and I could see it now. The two of them at the table just like this. Her mother sitting there, teasing her about all her crushes.

It made my heart warm before it shattered.

How awful would it be to sit there and watch your mother deteriorate before your eyes?

“I know I'm not the best company now,” her mom said, putting her spoon back in her soup. “But I appreciate you coming to visit. Meeting new people and seeing your life is… more than I can ask for.”

Jax leaned over and held her hand.

“I'll be here every moment I can.”

“Me too, if you’ll have me,” I said with a smile.

Her mother looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“I hope this doesn't make you think less of me. Jaxie, I'm really sorry. Sometimes my mind is just⁠—”

I reached over and put my hand on top of theirs.

“I understand. Truly.” I took a deep breath, my eyes shooting to Jax and then to her mother. “I… grew up with a grandfather in a very similar situation. Though my family did not have the means to get help. Not until we had no choice.”

“I didn't know,” Jax breathed.